If Arsène Wenger decides to snap up Tresor Mputu it will be a long-term investment rather than a short-term fix.
The African striker was top scorer in his continent's Champions League and has scored five goals in 10 appearances for the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mputu impressed during a trial at Arsenal last month and Wenger is considering whether to add the 20-year-old to his squad.
However, the Frenchman does not expect Mputu to be ready for Premier League football until next season.
"He [Mputu] has qualities, but he has never played in Europe," said Wenger at his pre-match press conference. "In the middle of a season, to buy a guy from Congo and think he will give you something more is a little bit optimistic.
"Maybe we'll pursue it, but it will be on a six to seven-month plan, you know, you get the guy in to adapt, and then we'll see how well he does."
