Japanese striker Takuma Asano confirms approach from Arsenal

Japan international Takuma Asano has claimed that Arsenal have made him an offer, which he will consider before making a final decision. The 21-year-old is currently with the Japan national team preparing for the Olympics in Rio and revealed that he was stunned when he heard about the approach.

Asano has been a regular for his club Sanfrecce Hiroshima, where he has scored 11 goals in 56 appearances. He also made his Japan debut in 2015, scoring one goal in five appearances thus far.

This is the second time that the Gunners are set to sign a Japan international, with Ryo Miyachi being the first to have signed for the Gunners, although he failed to have an impact. The forward is unlikely to be a first choice with the north London club but insists that he will be happy to go on loan should an opportunity present itself.

"I was a little stunned. 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 said, as quoted by the Evening Standard.

The Gunners are also on the lookout for a first choice striker, having been snubbed by Jamie Vardy after the striker decided to sign a long-term contract with Leicester City. Vardy scored 24 goals in the league last season, which led to a fairy tale success story for the Foxes who won the league. The 29-year-old committed to keep that run going for a few more years by rejecting a move to Arsenal. Arsene Wenger was appreciative of Vardy's decision to stay and insisted that the north London club will move to their next target.

"I think Leicester have made a statement and Vardy will stay. We were on the case and interested, but not more than that. He has decided to stay at Leicester and good luck to him," Wenger told beIN SPORTS.

"He came late to the game and in fairness Leicester bought him from Fleetwood and he has been successful. He is 29 and he has chosen to stay at Leicester. You have to respect that."