KEEN to add a creative spark to his goal-shy side, Ipswich Town manager Mick McCarthy has switched his sights to Arsenal’s emerging German star Thomas Eisfeld.

The Blues bosses’ top target had been Brentford youngster Harry Forrester, but the 22-year-old’s impressive goalscoring display in his side’s 2-2 FA Cup draw with Chelsea yesterday means there is likely to be several Premier League clubs at the front of the queue.

As a result, the EADT understands talks are under way with Arsenal with regards a loan deal for 20-year-old Eisfeld.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger paid Borussia Dortmund almost £500,000 in compensation for the attacking midfielder at the start of 2012 after his six goals and six assists in just 12 appearances for the German club’s youth team.

Praised by Wenger for having good ‘technical ability and attitude’, Eisfeld – who captained his country at Under-15 level before a cruciate knee injury set him back – made his debut for the Londoners as a substitute in their 7-5 win over Reading in the Capital One Cup last October.

Town – who are the Championship’s lowest goalscorers with 29 goals from 29 games – find themselves right back in the heart of a relegation dogfight following Saturday’s disappointing 2-1 defeat at rock-bottom Bristol City.

Goals and creativity from midfield have been in short supply, with a seething McCarthy slamming his side for once again letting the opposition ‘off the hook’ at the weekend.

The Blues have slipped back to within a place of the drop zone and, while the gap remains at six points, the bottom three all have a game in hand.

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