The agents of Shanghai Shenhua winger Stephan El Shaarawy have been in contact with Arsenal about a possible transfer in the January transfer window, according to FCInternews.it.

The Italian website claims that the 28-year-old is keen on returning to Europe despite having the potential to earn a staggering €24m (£22m or approximately £282,000 a week) over the last eighteen months of his contract in the Far East.

El Shaarawy’s preferred destination would be Italy, with the player having already been offered to the likes of Inter Milan and former team AC Milan. However, it doesn’t appear that he has a formal offer on the table from either club yet.

The Gunners do need a creative spark in the final third of the pitch so the Italian international could well be someone they are considering. They have been linked with the player in the past and an offer in the New Year can’t be ruled out.