Arsenal star Lukas Podolski may leave for Atletico Madrid in Alessio Cerci January swap deal

Atletico Madrid are planning to strengthen their attack during the January transfer window, according to reports, with Arsenal star Lukas Podolski a possibility.

Chelsea striker Fernando Torres (currently on loan at AC Milan) and Bayern Munich's Xherdan Shaqiri have also been touted, and the La Liga champions are ready to offer Alessio Cerci as part of a deal.

Atletico manager Diego Simeone wants a versatile forward to partner Mario Mandzukic up front and fill the void left by David Villa's summer departure.

The Spanish giants only secured the services of Cerci in the summer to play in that role but the Italian is struggling to make the impact expected.

Cerci even recently revealed he was likely to move elsewhere in the upcoming transfer window due to the lack of playing time.

"We'll see what happens with Atletico from now until January, I didn't go to Madrid to not play. I was always relied upon in Italy. I don't have the patience to sit and stay on the bench," Cerci said earlier this week.

Having already being heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium in the summer, before committing to Atletico, recent reports in Spain claimed Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is ready to renew his attempts to secure his services in January.

And now Spanish newspaper AS has added that Atletico Madrid are considering to offer Arsenal a swap deal that will see Cerci move to north London with Podolski going the other way.

Like Cerci, Germany international Podolski has also hinted on a number of occasions that he is likely to leave the Gunners during the January transfer window due to the lack of playing time during the first part of the season.

Despite Wenger claiming he wants Podolski to stay at Arsenal, AS understand the French boss could change his mind should he get Cerci in exchange.

AS also claim Atletico are considering moves for Torres and Shaquiri in a potential swap deal.

Torres joined Milan from Chelsea in the summer on a two-year loan deal but recent reports claimed the Italian side are ready to cancel it as the striker has scored just once in 10 appearances.

Meanwhile, Simeone is also monitoring Shaquiri but the La Liga club may face competition from numerous teams, including Liverpool, who are reportedly ready to make a challenge for his signature in January.