Rio Ferdinand questions Arsenal interest in Real Madrid striker Luka Jovic

Former England defender Rio Ferdinand has questioned why Arsenal would be interested in signing Real Madrid striker Luka Jovic, insisting that they need a centre-back more than a new attacking player.

The Gunners are one of the Premier League clubs to have been linked with a move for the 22-year-old, who has scored just two goals for Los Blancos since his £54m summer switch to the Spanish capital.

Jovic has been touted as a possible replacement for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who is approaching the final year of his contract, but Ferdinand believes that they should be targeting other areas of their team as a priority.

"He is someone who could add something to Arsenal but I don't think Arsenal need a player in that position," Ferdinand said during an Instagram Q&A.

"Arsenal need centre-halves. They need centre-halves who can defend and play as well. I played against Arsenal teams with the likes of Sol Campbell and Tony Adams. I don't see that now. They have many good footballers but you need a blend.

"Why are they going for Jovic when they need to be looking at centre-halves? Arsenal is a fantastic club, what a club. But they need to get it right in other areas of the pitch."

Arsenal's current centre-back options include David Luiz, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Shkodran Mustafi, Rob Holding, Calum Chambers and Pablo Mari.