Japan international Takuma Asano claims he has been approached by Arsenal over a possible move to the Premier League.

Reports today emerged from Japan suggesting that Arsenal were interested in signing the 21-year-old striker, currently playing at J-League champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima.

Asano would be unlikely to be Arsenal’s sole striking signing of the summer, with Arsene Wenger considering reviving his interest in Alvaro Morata after failing in his pursuit of Leicester’s Jamie Vardy.

Speaking after his country’s 4-1 victory over South Africa in a warm-up for the Rio Olympics Asano claimed that the Gunners had been in touch over a possible move but acknowledged he may not be an immediate first-choice were he to move to the Emirates.

The forwards Arsenal have scouted ahead of the transfer window 7 show all The forwards Arsenal have scouted ahead of the transfer window 1/7 On the lookout

But who might Arsene Wenger look to bring in this summer? Standard Sport examines some of the players Arsenal have been scouting. Danny Welbeck's knee surgery , set to leave the England striker on the sidelines for nine months, has only heightened Arsenal's need for striking reinforcements.But who might Arsene Wenger look to bring in this summer? Standard Sport examines some of the players Arsenal have been scouting. David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images 2/7 Alexandre Lacazette Wenger is a keen admirer of the Frenchman, with Lyon confirming that they have rejected a £29.4million bid from Arsenal. ROMAIN LAFABREGUE/AFP/Getty Images 3/7 Gonzalo Higuain The best striker in Serie A by a country mile last season and he could already be Arsenal’s had Wenger not been spooked when Real raised the asking price in 2013.



Last year’s capocannoniere scored 33 goals in 34 appearances for Napoli, a tally not bettered since 1959, and helped him to secure a £78.8million move to Juventus, as Arsenal missed out again. MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP/Getty Images 4/7 Alvaro Morata Real Madrid activated their buyback clause on Morata, surely complicating any potential deal with Arsenal, but reports have suggested the Spanish side may look to make a quick profit by activating their £23.6m buyback clause and selling him on.



The Spanish international would undoubtedly be able to serve as the lone striker Wenger prefers and has the footwork required to be a success at Arsenal. Marco Luzzani/Getty Images 5/7 Mauro Icardi Inter’s captain has been a consistent goalscorer at Serie A over the past four seasons, with his goal tally of 38 over the last two seasons all the more impressive considering the limitations of many of the creative players Roberto Mancini has chosen to deploy behind him.



Off the field his relationship with media personality Wanda Nara has made him a regular presence among the front pages but he has consistently justified the storm around him with impressive performances.



At just 23 Icardi could lead the Arsenal line for half a decade but amid reports of Chinese investment in Inter it may be some time before the ownership is in a position to make transfer decisions. FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images 6/7 Riyad Mahrez What more is there to say about the PFA Players’ Player of the Year? He may be another who would not fit the bill if Wenger is chasing a number nine but the signing of the best player in the league would have Arsenal fans salivating.



A host of other European sides have scouted the Leicester forward and they would surely pounce were Mahrez to become available, though combine his ability to cut in from the right on to his left foot with Sanchez doing the same on the opposite flank and Arsenal could rediscover their attacking menace. BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images 7/7 Karim Benzema Arsenal were burned badly last summer when Wenger’s chase of Benzema, with dreams of a £45m deal offering nothing more than proof that Real Madrid can hold on to their star players.



Were Real to consider selling up Wenger would remain right at the front of the queue for the 28-year-old and, whilst it may seem unlikely that Florentino Perez and Zinedine Zidane would choose to lose their sole senior centre-forward, it would be unwise to try to assume what might happen next at the Santiago Bernabeu. (PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/AFP/Getty Images) 1/7 On the lookout

But who might Arsene Wenger look to bring in this summer? Standard Sport examines some of the players Arsenal have been scouting. Danny Welbeck's knee surgery , set to leave the England striker on the sidelines for nine months, has only heightened Arsenal's need for striking reinforcements.But who might Arsene Wenger look to bring in this summer? Standard Sport examines some of the players Arsenal have been scouting. David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images 2/7 Alexandre Lacazette Wenger is a keen admirer of the Frenchman, with Lyon confirming that they have rejected a £29.4million bid from Arsenal. ROMAIN LAFABREGUE/AFP/Getty Images 3/7 Gonzalo Higuain The best striker in Serie A by a country mile last season and he could already be Arsenal’s had Wenger not been spooked when Real raised the asking price in 2013.



Last year’s capocannoniere scored 33 goals in 34 appearances for Napoli, a tally not bettered since 1959, and helped him to secure a £78.8million move to Juventus, as Arsenal missed out again. MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP/Getty Images 4/7 Alvaro Morata Real Madrid activated their buyback clause on Morata, surely complicating any potential deal with Arsenal, but reports have suggested the Spanish side may look to make a quick profit by activating their £23.6m buyback clause and selling him on.



The Spanish international would undoubtedly be able to serve as the lone striker Wenger prefers and has the footwork required to be a success at Arsenal. Marco Luzzani/Getty Images 5/7 Mauro Icardi Inter’s captain has been a consistent goalscorer at Serie A over the past four seasons, with his goal tally of 38 over the last two seasons all the more impressive considering the limitations of many of the creative players Roberto Mancini has chosen to deploy behind him.



Off the field his relationship with media personality Wanda Nara has made him a regular presence among the front pages but he has consistently justified the storm around him with impressive performances.



At just 23 Icardi could lead the Arsenal line for half a decade but amid reports of Chinese investment in Inter it may be some time before the ownership is in a position to make transfer decisions. FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images 6/7 Riyad Mahrez What more is there to say about the PFA Players’ Player of the Year? He may be another who would not fit the bill if Wenger is chasing a number nine but the signing of the best player in the league would have Arsenal fans salivating.



A host of other European sides have scouted the Leicester forward and they would surely pounce were Mahrez to become available, though combine his ability to cut in from the right on to his left foot with Sanchez doing the same on the opposite flank and Arsenal could rediscover their attacking menace. BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images 7/7 Karim Benzema Arsenal were burned badly last summer when Wenger’s chase of Benzema, with dreams of a £45m deal offering nothing more than proof that Real Madrid can hold on to their star players.



Were Real to consider selling up Wenger would remain right at the front of the queue for the 28-year-old and, whilst it may seem unlikely that Florentino Perez and Zinedine Zidane would choose to lose their sole senior centre-forward, it would be unwise to try to assume what might happen next at the Santiago Bernabeu. (PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/AFP/Getty Images)

“I was a little stunned,” he told reporters. “But I feel like I have the confidence to succeed wherever I go.

“If I am loaned elsewhere, my take on it is that I give it 100 percent.”

Asano has made 56 appearances for Sanfrecce Hiroshima, scoring 11 goals. He made his Japanese debut in August 2015, since when he has managed one goal over five caps.