The striker is available on a free transfer and is interesting the Gunners.
Arsenal are set to beat London rivals West Ham to the signing Romania striker Ciprian Marica, the Sunday Express understand.
The 27-year-old is currently seeking new employment after leaving Bundesliga giants Schalke following the expiration of his contract and has been linked with a host of clubs around Europe during the summer.
None have yet to take a gamble on Marica, who blew hot and mainly cold during his two-year spell in Germany, with Shakhtar Dontesk, Lazio and Inter Milan all reportedly taking him into consideration.
West Ham are also exploring different avenues to strengthen their attack having decided not to re-sign Carlton Cole and started the season with Modibo Maiga as the only recognised forward available to Sam Allardyce.
Marica has 22 goals in 63 games for Romania is thought to be an attractive proposition to Hammers boss Allardyce, but his plans to move for the former Stuttgart and Shaktar Donetsk striker after his agent Ioan Becali hinted he is bound for Arsenal.
“Marica is a really great striker who has already got experience in western European football and so it’s natural that big clubs are eyeing his career,” he told Romanian publication Prosport.ro
“He’s close to joining Arsenal, but we have to wait for the next week.”
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