Brazilian striker could replace Alexis Sanchez next term

Brazil international Hulk has emerged as a potential candidate to take over the goalscoring burden from Alexis Sanchez next season.

Sanchez, 28, has refused to pen terms over a fresh contract at the Emirates, and it looks likely that he could be sold when he approaches the final year of his deal this summer.

As a result, the north London club appear to have intensified their search for a new striker with Hulk being identified as an option to bolster the forward ranks, Don Balon claims.

Hulk has already amassed nine goals and seven assists in 14 games for Shanghai SIPG this season, but many may argue that the league is nowhere near the standard of Europe's premier competitions.

In spite of this, the 30-year-old has not given up on his desire to feature in the Premier League after he recently admitted that he is a long-time admirer of Arsene Wenger's Arsenal.

“It’s always been a dream, it’s a very competitive championship and the stadiums are full in every game, no matter what the team, I always follow the league and I have always supported Arsenal,” he told Sport TV.

Hulk has always been a decent goal scorer throughout his career after having managed over 50 goals in his stints with both Porto and Zenit and his physique is such that he could settle quickly in the English game.

One of the stumbling blocks in the deal will be his wages as he would have to take a huge pay cut on his £325,000-a-week salary in order to realise a Premier League move.