Arsenal Transfers: All the Latest Rumors and Speculation

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As we dive in head-first to the torrent of transfer news that will engulf the football world as deadline day approaches, there are certainly many Arsenal transfer rumors to be found.

Especially after a crushing loss, like our most recent capitulation against Manchester United in which many holes in the squad were painfully apparent, the speculation is bound to pour in thick and fast.

Will it be a new midfielder who is brought in, a desperately-needed fullback or a long-term support striker for Robin van Persie? Or, more likely, will Arsene Wenger choose not to splash the cash at all?

As the transfer window nears its conclusion and these issues become more urgent, here are all the latest Arsenal transfer rumors rounded up for your speculating pleasure.

Hugo Rodallega

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Despite the seeming unlikeliness of this transfer, the Colombian Rodallega is out of contract in the summer and is one of the few Premier League forwards available on a transfer.

Rodallega has also announced his intention to leave the Latics, which could drive his price down further, thus making him more attractive to the infamously-austere Arsene Wenger.

While he may not be the sexiest option on the market, almost anyone with at least one working leg would be better than this guy, and Rodallega's relatively small price would minimize the risk that Arsenal would be taking on him.

Besides, he would only be asked to perform the role of a squad player.

Jan Vertonghen

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Speculation has emerged that Vertonghen could be in for a move to Arsenal if his contract situation at Ajax does not get resolved during next summer, saying that he "could have a very good transfer in the future."

The Belgian, who is extremely good friends with national teammate Thomas Vermaelen, is rated at around £10 million and would be a perfect fit for Arsenal due to his versatility and youth.

If the Gunners had the 24-year-old this season, there would not be a fullback crisis of as high a magnitude, as Vertonghen can easily slot into the left back position as well as his preferred center back.

He would fill a need for Arsenal and would be a very astute purchase.

Tomas Rosicky

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Though the 31-year-old Czech Republic captain impressed with his positive attitude during Arsenal's last match against Manchester United, Tomas Rosicky's agent has teased the footballing world by claiming that the player's future at the Emirates will be decided next month.

Even though he has not scored a goal during a league match for over two years, Rosicky can still contribute something to the team, as he is still more productive in attack than many of Arsenal's current crop of midfielders.

Used in the proper role of a bench player, Arsene Wenger has likely decided to keep the aging Rosicky on board until the summer because his squad is simply so thin in midfield that he cannot afford to let anyone go at the moment.

Even if the injury-plagued Rosicky does depart during the summer, he can still make a meaningful contribution to the club until the end of the season.

Burak Yilmaz

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In one of the more unexpected stories to emerge recently, Turkish international Burak Yilmaz has stated that he would "accept" a transfer to Arsenal.

What a surprise.

Yilmaz has scored an admittedly impressive 22 goals in 17 Super Lig games this season for Trabzonspor, and national team manager Guus Hiddink has labeled him "one of Europe's best strikers."

However, I'm not quite sure that an unknown 26-year-old Turkish Super Lig player would be the best midseason reinforcement for Arsenal at a time when the Gunners need results quickly.

Demba Ba

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According to speculators-in-chief CaughtOffside, Arsene Wenger is lining up a record £18 million bid for Newcsatle striker Demba Ba.

With Robin van Persie in desperate need of more help and with Arsenal sorely lacking in firepower up front, the purchase of the Senegalese Ba would actually be quite astute—especially if his release clause is less than £10 million, as has been reported.

Considering the form that Ba is in at the moment, when he returns from duty at the African Cup of Nations in February, he could easily give Arsenal that extra surge needed to jolt them into fourth place.

Arsene Wenger

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In bizarre fashion, the most speculated transfer story this week has been that of Arsene Wenger and Arsenal parting ways during the summer, with Real Madrid mentioned as the Frenchman's possible destination.

Following the manager's disastrous substitution of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain against Manchester United, which almost single-handedly torpedoed any chance of victory Arsenal had on the day, the festering "Wenger Out" contingent of Arsenal fans have reared their ugly heads once more.

As the "disaster" of not qualifying for the Champions League becomes a much more real possibility with every passing loss, some have suggested that it is time for a new era to begin at the Emirates.

What people forget is that the poor run of results that Arsenal are currently on has come after a two-month run of form that had every Gooner in a euphoric state of hope until December.

Clearly, there is something in this group of players, and Arsene Wenger can bring out the best in them.