Derby want Arsenal starlet Arturo Lupoli after giving up on signing Dwight Yorke.
Derby County have switched their attentions to young Arsenal starlet Arturo Lupoli after their attempt to sign Dwight Yorke on loan was thwarted.Rams boss Terry Westley has been desperate to add attacking reinforcements to his squad and has already brought in Charlton's Kevin Lisbie on loan.
Veteran marksman Yorke was his top target to also come in on loan, and the former Manchester United man was keen to return to England for the remainder of the season to keep in shape ahead of leading Trinidad & Tobago's World Cup campaign.
34-year-old Yorke has just ended a successful season in Australia by leading Sydney FC to a Grand Final victory, but will not be able to play in England for the final months of the season.
Regulations state that overseas players cannot be signed on loan outside of the transfer window, and Yorke does not qualify as a free transfer as he was on Sydney's books when the window shut in January.
With Yorke now out of range, Westley is looking elsewhere for attacking options and young Arsenal star Lupoli is one of his alternatives.
The Gunners have agreed to let the promising 18-year-old leave Highbury on loan, and the Italian teenager is now mulling over the offer.
Charlton's Shaun Bartlett and Sunderland's Andy Gray were Westley's other options, but The Addicks do not want to let another striker out on loan while the sacking of Mick McCarthy will halt any transfer activity at Sunderland for the time being.
Westley will now hope Lupoli agrees to move to Pride Park as he looks to steer The Rams away from relegation trouble at the foot of The Championship.
