Arsenal are aiming to bolster their attacking options this summer and their priority appears to be the left wing.
The Gunners were strongly linked with Vinicius Junior, but the Brazil international has now extended his contract at Real Madrid.
The north London side are also in the market for a striker. They remain interested in Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez, but the Argentine reportedly prefers to join Barcelona.
Arsenal have now identified Shakhtar Donetsk’s Kaua Elias as another centre-forward target.
The Sun claim their scouts watched the Brazilian score a hat-trick in Shakhtar’s 5-1 win over Kudrivka on Monday.
Arsenal have been tracking the youngster ‘for weeks’, and his latest display is said to have ‘provided the final green light they needed to elevate their interest’.
Manchester United, AC Milan and Porto are also interested in Elias, who is valued at around £30 million.
The 20-year-old began his career with Brazilian side Fluminense. He was named one of the best young players in the world in 2023 alongside Bournemouth’s Eli Junior Kroupi.
Elias joined Shakhtar in February 2025 and has since chipped in with 15 goals and five assists in 41 matches across all competitions.
He is direct, athletic and has sharp movement, but his finishing still needs polishing.
Arsenal are likely to prioritise other targets over Elias as they seek to improve their attacking options.
The Fluminense academy graduate is relatively inexperienced, and the Gunners may prefer a proven striker to help them compete on multiple fronts next season.
As things stand, Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus are expected to be Arsenal’s centre-forward options unless there is an opportunity to sign a proven striker like Alvarez.
Mikel Merino could be used as a makeshift number nine by the Gunners if required.
Stats from Sofascore