Arsenal transfer news: Will Arsene Wenger land Julian Draxler, Yacine Brahimi, Jan Oblak, Marco Reus or Carlos Bacca? The latest Gunners gossip, according to Football Whispers
French boss may splash the cash in January to bolster the Gunners' title hopes
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ARSENAL are second in the Premier League table, three points behind leaders Chelsea after losing just their second match of the season last night to Everton.
The Gunners have also managed to progress to the last-16 of the Champions League as group winners, and they will meet Bayern Munich once Europe’s premier club competition resumes in February.
Their recent run has been aided by the fact that Arsene Wenger splashed over £80million in the summer to sign Shkodran Mustafi, Granit Xhaka and Lucas Perez.
Keep up-to-date with all the latest transfer news and gossip ahead of the January window with SunSport's daily LIVE blog.
With the North Londoners linked to further additions in January, Football Whispers have analysed five Arsenal transfer rumours on players that newspapers from around the world have suggested could be on their way to the Emirates.
Julian Draxler: Wolfsburg - 3.3 out of 5
According to German publication Bild, Wolfsburg are ready to offload talented 23-year-old midfielder Julian Draxler in January and Arsenal are heading the queue of potential suitors.
Draxler, who impressed for Germany at Euro 2016, made clear his desire to depart the Volkswagen Arena in the summer, but Wolfsburg insisted that they would not part ways with their star man.
With no goals and no assists so far this season, the former Schalke man’s off-field discontent in becoming evident in his performances, and the Wolves will reportedly look to recoup around €36million for the player in January.
Yacine Brahimi: Porto - 1.4 out of 5
If Arsenal are unable to lure Draxler to the Emirates, they could perhaps make a move for Porto winger Yacine Brahimi.
The Algerian international was linked with Everton over the summer and Sportskeeda recently reported that the Gunners will go head-to-head with Manchester United for his signature.
The pacey attacker has impressed since moving to the Estadio do Dragao in 2014, and has scored three goals and registered one assist so far this term.
It is believed that Porto value Brahimi at around £30million. Were he to move to Arsenal, he would likely find himself jostling with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott for a starting berth.
Jan Oblak: Atletico Madrid - 1.3 out of 5
In the summer of 2015, Arsene Wenger drew the ire of many Arsenal fans for not following up the signing of Petr Cech from Chelsea with outfield additions.
Now Goal is reporting that the French tactician is keen on signing Atletico Madrid keeper Jan Oblak as Cech’s long-term replacement.
The 23-year-old Slovenian is regarded by some as the best goalkeeper in La Liga and been outstanding as the last line of defence behind Diego Simeone’s impeccably well-drilled back four in the last couple of years.
Cech has unquestionably been a fine signing for the Gunners but, at 34, it is understandable that Wenger is already scouting his eventual successor.
However, Arsenal are said to be understandably unwilling to meet Oblak’s reported €100million release clause.
Marco Reus: Borussia Dortmund - 1.2 out of 5
Borussia Dortmund forward Marco Reus has been plagued by injuries in recent years, missing both the 2014 World Cup and this summer’s European Championships for Germany, as well as being ruled out for large parts of the current Bundesliga season.
But the dynamic 27-year-old has recently returned to fitness and dazzled with a three-assist display against Borussia Monchengladbach before grabbing a late equaliser against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.
The Mirror believes the Gunners will attempt to team Reus up with international team-mate Mesut Ozil if Alexis Sanchez decides not to renew his contract.
Carlos Bacca: AC Milan - 1.2 out of 5
Colombian poacher Carlos Bacca was on West Ham’s wish list this summer but the Hammers failed in their attempts to land the AC Milan hitman.
Now, as reported by The Sun, the Gunners are ready to pounce for the £20million-rated star.
Bacca was Milan’s top scorer last season after joining from Sevilla in the summer of 2015.
However, after a barren patch, the 30-year-old has lost his place to Gianluca Lapadula this term.
Wenger would welcome the prospect of having Bacca join Olivier Giroud in providing support for Sanchez as Arsenal challenge for a first title since 2004.