Malaga striker Salomon Rondon remains on the hitlist of Arsenal.
Gunners chief scout Steve Rowley has made regular checks on the Venezuela international throughout the year.
Rondon, 22, could become available from Malaga in January with Villarreal also aiming to prise him away.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger sees the youngster as a potential boost to his attacking options as the futures of Carlos Vela, Marouane Chamakh and Nicklas Bendtner remain unclear.