Arsenal Transfer Rumours: Arsene Wenger Must Sign Moussa Dembele

Arsene Wenger must make a summer swoop for Moussa Dembele, Fulham's attacking midfielder. Recent rumours have linked the Gunners with a move for the Belgium international.

Yesterday thisisfutbol.com suggested Arsenal may join a list of suitors—including fellow Premier League clubs Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool. Goal.com reported earlier in the week that a fee of £15 million would be enough to land the former AZ Alkmaar standout.

The Gunners must force themselves to the front of the queue and bring Dembele to the Emirates Stadium. He has the versatility and skill to succeed in a variety of positions for Arsenal.

Dembele is a technically gifted, left-footed player who possesses a rare combination of strength and flair. He can operate as a supporting striker or in a wide berth as part of a fluid front three.

Arsenal have a need for a creatively minded player in both positions. Dembele certainly fits that bill. He has the quickness and power to pose a direct style of threat to a defense, as well as the craft and intelligence of a true advanced playmaker.

If played on the left, his natural inclination to drift into central areas, rather than act as winger, would encourage Theo Walcott to play closer to Robin van Persie. This would be similar to the way Yossi Benayoun's presence has liberated Walcott to act more as an auxiliary striker in recent games.

Dembele's blend of physicality and technique has also seen him deployed in a natural central midfield role in the Premier League. This is where he would be a key addition for Arsenal.

He would be a great fit for the most advanced position in Arsenal's midfield three. His touch, intelligence, robust tenacity and pace would give the Gunners a more complete player at the team's most important position.

The 24-year-old is a younger alternative to Tomas Rosicky and a cheaper option to the likes of Mario Gotze and Eden Hazard.

The projected fee could be a little too high, though, given that Dembele only has a year remaining on his contract. Arsenal could surely find a  compromise to land a player with the Premier League experience and ingenuity cheaply.

This is a player who will quickly become a major success in North London.