Arsenal January Transfer Targets

It’s that time again, the period of the season where Gooners crave for an injection of quality into the squad – and if ever Arsenal needed that, now is the time.

The scouting network has certainly been busy. Here are the players that are on the list*

*Disclaimer: whether Arsenal actually sign their targets is another matter. A lot hinges on the following terms: must have ‘super quality’, must be had for a bargain price, must be the right age for resale value, or failing that must have history of injury or be in final year of contract (or both) and thus be available at a bargain price.

Wilfried Zaha

It’s no secret that Wenger is an admirer of the Crystal Palace forward. Has received rave reviews and with only four Championship goals this season (ask Matt Law how over rated he is), Arsenal will see the potential for bargaining with the Eagles. Zaha is a Gooner which means we have further bargaining power. He also has ‘super quality’ and at 20 years old is young, which means he has resale value.

Klass-Jan Huntelaar

Has been watched extensively of late, and with a heavy reliance on Giroud to lead the line, Wenger is keen on bringing in a proven goalscorer. Goal record cannot be sniffed at. Has history of injury? Check. In last year of contract? Check. Will he want to leave Schalke in January when he can command a princely signing on fee elsewhere next season? Hmm.

Luke Shaw

Arsenal have watched Shaw’s development from youth level and his recent competent Premier League appearances have convinced them further about this youngster’s ‘super quality’. Would be surprised if they go for Shaw in January but he is certainly on the radar.

Nani

The Portuguese enigma has fallen out with SAF and would be interested in a move away from Old Trafford for more consistent game time. Arsenal certainly rate him highly, especially with Walcott’s days looking numbered, but with two years left on a lucrative contract, could he be had for a bargain?

A Defensive Midfielder

Wenger is keen to bring in a more defence minded midfielder to provide options and also to deploy Arteta further forward in certain games. Many have been scouted over the past year: M’Vila, Wanyama, Javi Martinez (who signed for big bucks at Bayern), Tiote and most recently Kevin Strootman.

Wildcards

Wenger rates Yanga Mbiwa highly, and despite the France international recently signing a contract extension at Montpellier, if Djourou was to move on (and if we can find a knackers yard for Squillaci) they could go in for the versatile centre half (who can also play left back, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Wenger transformed him to a defensive midfielder/pivot a la Petit and Song).

If Arsenal ever spent big, Mario Götze would be the one they go for. Whether Dortmund would ever sell, or more importantly the player would wan to leave Dortmund for us is another question.

Stevan Jovetic is another that has been watched extensively but he has a long contract so it would take a substantial bid to prise him away from Florence.

Done deal

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