Aleksandr Kokorin recommended to join Arsenal in January transfer window

Dynamo Moscow forward Aleksandr Kokorin should jump at the chance of leaving Russia for Premier League giants Arsenal, former Manchester United winger Andrei Kanchelskis believes. The 24-year-old is a confirmed target of the north London club and has scored four goals in eight starts in the Russian Premier League this season.

The Gunners have already been linked with a loan move for Kokorin during the last summer transfer window but Dynamo rejected the offer – preferring to keep hold of their highly rated forward. But Russian publication Izvestia believes the club will reignite their interest with a €6m (£4m, $6.6m) bid for Kokorin when the transfer window reopens in January.

Should Arsene Wenger's side make a second proposition for Kokorin, then former Manchester United wideman Andrei Kanchelskis says the player should not delay in forcing through a move to English shores. With Arsenal playing a system which suits the ex-Anzhi Makhachkala forward, Kanchelskis says he would be the perfect addition.

"Kokorin should jump at the chance to leave Russia and go to that country," Kanchelskis told Reuters, according to National. "The Russian championship is very weak and Aleksandr can progress at Arsenal. Arsenal are the best option for Aleksandr's career. If he is prepared to work a lot, he will not have any problems. He will not be like Andrei Arshavin and will become a top-class forward for the London club."

"I also went to England when I was young without knowing the language," he added. "I was lucky. Manchester United played in a 4-4-2 formation just like my former club Dynamo Kyiv. Like Dynamo Moscow, Arsenal play in a 4-2-3-1 formation, while Wenger trusts young players and is able to develop their talent."

Victory over Manchester City saw Arsenal go within two points of leaders Leicester City at the top of the Premier League ahead of the Christmas schedule. Despite goals for Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott, there remain concerns over the options available to Wenger in attack. The club did not sign a single outfield player in the summer of 2015 but Kokorin's agent has confirmed they did pursue a loan deal for the Russian.

"Aleksandr still has the chance to move in future, and not just to Arsenal," representative Cyril Loginov said, according to Sovsport. "If Dynamo refused to give Aleksandr to Arsenal in the last transfer window, it does not mean that he can't be where he wants in the next window. There was a proposal, it was examined and refused."