Arsenal Summer Transfer Rumours: 10 Early Leads on Summer

Even though the January transfer window has just ended with no major Arsenal signings, there cannot be much reason for disappointment.

After all, Arsene Wenger rarely makes moves during January. He views the summer as the best opportunity to build his team and purchase core players.

So, while there was very little business done in the red side of North London last month, there can still be hope that moves will be made to strengthen the team during the summer months.

In the typical speculative fashion of transfer stories, here are 10 possible deals that Arsenal may look to complete during the summer. All are, appropriately, on a much larger scale than any of Wenger's January moves.

Enjoy.

Robin van Persie to Barcelona

Rumors have constantly circulated that Robin van Persie is hankering for a move away from Arsenal, and Barcelona have been frequently mentioned as the Dutchman's most likely destination.

It is quite easy to see why. Arsenal have been a one-man team this season, and the Gunners' reliance on Van Persie for goals and to drive their attack forward is very pronounced.

As Arsenal continue to stumble and sputter, it is becoming sadly more apparent with each passing game that the Dutchman is toiling on a team that does not have the quality to support his talent.

Much like Thierry Henry, he might want to spend his prime years winning trophies, and the sad reality is that he has only won one in his almost eight years at Arsenal.

Eden Hazard

While Hazard would, on the surface, seem quite expensive for Arsenal's budget, there are indications that this transfer might actually happen.

The player has explicitly expressed his desire to move to England over any other country.

Arsene Wenger himself has expressed admiration for the player's talents, saying: "We are following [Hazard]. Personally I think he has real talent and the level needed to play at Arsenal."

If Wenger could obtain Hazard in a swap deal with cash added, it may sweeten the pot for the manager, and there is no doubt that Arsenal would be invigorated by the arrival of a high-profile star like the Belgian.

Theo Walcott to Anywhere

I was once a fierce defender of Theo Walcott, but like many Arsenal fans, I have completely lost faith in the wildly inconsistent and unproductive Englishman.

Walcott has scored one goal of his own since October and has frequently gone completely missing during matches. When he does appear, it is usually to waste a very good pass and immediately turn and yell at the passing player or the referee.

It seems that Walcott, at 22 years old, is struggling to develop any further, and he seems ever more reliant on his pace to spark attacks and beat defenders.

With a little over a year remaining on his contract, it seems hard to believe that Arsenal would match what will surely be very high wage demands for an extremely disappointing player.

Hugo Rodallega

Rodallega is out of contract during the summer, and Arsene Wenger may be tempted by the forward because of his price, or lack thereof.

If the manager stays true to his nature and chooses the most frugal option when reinforcing his front line—as he must surely do at some point—Rodallega would appear to be the best option available.

Especially if Wigan is relegated—and, as they are currently in last place, that is a distinct possibility—then it will be hard for the Colombian to resist making a move to North London.

Tranquillo Barnetta

Another player who is available on a free transfer at the end of the year, Barnetta would be a very attractive option to Arsene Wenger, should he not re-sign with Bayer Leverkusen.

Though he has had a very long absence from first-team football due to knee surgery he had last year, Barnetta certainly does have quality.

And we all know how well injury-prone players fit in at at the Emirates. At the very least, Barnetta can give Abou Diaby some company in the treatment room.

Clint Dempsey

American Clint Dempsey has reiterated his lifelong ambition to play in the Champions League. He would fit in perfectly with Arsenal's style of play.

He is creative, pacey and has a very powerful shot. He is the type of threatening, direct, versatile player that Arsenal could use in place of Theo Walcott on the right wing.

This move is contingent on Fulham selling their best player and Arsenal qualifying for the Champions League, but this is a great move waiting to happen.

Andrei Arshavin to Anywhere

While Arsenal did not want to sell Andrei Arshavin during January due to a dearth of attacking options, it is clear that the Russian's time is up at the Emirates.

After proving that he cannot play at a Premier League level in several successive matches, Arsene Wenger has left him on the bench recently, opting to start Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and bringing on Thierry Henry for a late impact.

Arshavin will just provide depth and insurance in a very thin team until the end of the year, but it would not be surprising at all if he left during the summer for a club that actually want to play him.

Chris Samba

Christopher Samba has made absolutely clear his desire to leave Blackburn Rovers as soon as possible, stating that he wants a "divorce" from a club that he says has lied to him and mistreated him.

It is sad to see such a great and dignified player like Samba rot at a club that does not deserve his talents, but he would certainly be available on the cheap after those comments and Arsenal would do well to move for him.

Even though the Gunners would seem to have a surplus of central defenders, this season has taught us consistently that you cannot have too much depth in your squad.

There is no player on the market who provides Samba's value, in addition to his Premier League experience, leadership and toughness.

Javi Garcia

The Daily Mail reports that Arsenal are stepping up their interest in Benfica midfielder Javi Garcia ahead of the summer transfer window. They will look to steal him form under the noses of Manchester United.

The 24-year-old midfielder has been very effective for Benfica, and Sir Alex Ferguson apparently made a late inquiry about Garcia last month, but was rebuffed.

Now, it appears that Arsenal are interested in the defensive midfielder to add depth to the middle of the pitch, but they will have to fight off considerable interest from Manchester United to do so.

Yann M'Vila

Another defensive midfielder who has been linked with Arsenal for some time, it is hard to imagine Yann M'Vila keeping his talents at Rennes beyond the end of this season.

Though this label has been applied too liberally over the years, M'Vila truly does resemble Patrick Vieira in the way he plays. He is tall, strong and can transition play beautifully between defence and attack.

As strong as he is in the tackle as he is with a pass, he is an easy target for Arsenal to add depth and quality to their midfield. His arrival would allow Alex Song and others to rotate and rest during difficult stretches of the season, as Arsene Wenger can choose to play M'Vila anywhere in the midfield.

The Gunners will certainly have to spend to get the Frenchman, but it is definitely high time for the board and the manager to loosen their purse strings.