Arsenal Transfer Rumours: Grading the Possibilities of 20 Gunner Transfers

As Arsenal continue to build on their indifferent season, they've been making some firm strides in the transfer department—or so the press would have you believe.

There are plenty of rumoured ins, and plenty of potential outs, but how do you separate the facts from the fiction?

Let me do it for you, or at least give my opinion on it.

Here are 20 Gunners moves that may or may not happen in the summer.

Lukas Podolski

Many major tabloid newspapers moved too early in declaring that Lukas Podolski had become an Arsenal player last month in an £11 million deal.

A deal does seem like a strong possibility, though, as Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger stated that a move could happen now, or later.

The Frenchman stopped short of saying a move wouldn't happen.

Verdict—Gooner.

Marouane Chamakh

One player Arsenal are almost sure to sell this summer is Marouane Chamakh.

After impressing early on in his Arsenal career, Chamakh's performances have dropped considerably and he now looks set for a return to French club Bordeaux.

Chances of this happening? Well Chamakh is destined to leave, whether it's to Bordeaux is anybody's guess.

Verdict—goner.

Yann M'Vila

If Yann M'Vila is as good as everyone suggests he is, I don't see him moving to London in the summer.

With a £15 million price tag mooted, M'Vila will likely attract a large number of interested parties—many of which will likely offer a great deal more money than Arsenal.

Verdict—a move is likely, but not to the Gunners.

Andrei Arshavin

Arsenal fans don't want him, and Arsene Wenger got crucified for bringing him on as a substitute for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain earlier on in the season.

Arshavin—whilst undoubtedly gifted—looks set to move along in the summer.

Being on loan at former club Zenit St. Petersburg may make him start pining for home and a permanent summer move seems inevitable.

Verdict—goner.

Mario Goetze

Speculation has been rife regarding Arsene Wenger's pursuit of Mario Goetze, but the German has recently signed a new deal with Borussia Dortmund, which should bring a lot of transfer gossip to a grinding halt.

His deal now expires in 2016, suggesting any transfer fee will have to be over £30 million in value.

That's not the kind of figure that Arsene Wenger is known for shelling out.

Verdict—no chance.

Robin Van Persie

Speculation is rife regarding Robin Van Persie's future after he was spotted visiting the Barcelona team hotel ahead of the Catalan club's Champions League game against Chelsea on Wednesday.

Van Persie is yet to sign a new Arsenal contract, meaning he has little over a year remaining before he could leave the club on a free transfer.

It seems apparent that Van Persie has certainly had his head turned and I expect him to be playing elsewhere before the 2012-13 season begins.

Verdict—goner not a Gooner.

Jan Vertonghen

The Mail reports that Arsenal are chasing Ajax and Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen in an effort to pair him alongside Thomas Vermaelen.

The move would be a step up for Vertonghen, but again, Arsenal may find themselves priced out of the market by other interested parties.

There seems to be no logical reason as to why Vertonghen wouldn't sign, or why Arsenal wouldn't make a bid for the £7 million player.

Verdict—Gooner.

Nicklas Bendtner

Nicklas Bendtner has impressed whilst on loan at Sunderland, and Black Cats Manager Martin O'Neil will surely be tabling a bid for him in the summertime.

The mere fact that a team devoid of strikers has allowed Bendtner to go on loan suggests he is surplus to requirements at the Emirates.

Hannover are now rumoured to be interested in the Dane's services.

Verdict—goner.

Junior Hoilett

Blackburn forward Junior Hoilett is set to be a free agent this summer which has caused quite a stir amongst Premier League teams—Arsenal included.

A tribunal will likely set a compensation fee for any interested parties, and his style of play would certainly fit in with the likes of Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Verdict—Gooner mentality.

Denilson

Another player set to exit the Emirates this summer is Denilson.

Denilson is currently on loan at Brazilian side Sao Paulo until the end of the season, but Sao Paulo Vice President Joao Lopes has expressed his desire to see the move made permanent.

With his Arsenal shirt number now given to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Denilson leaving looks like a banker.

Verdict—goner.

Daniel Sturridge

As Chelsea continue to be linked with big-name forwards in the summer, Daniel Sturridge's Stamford Bridge career looks more and more uncertain.

Arsenal have been reported to be interested in the young Englishman, but he's unlikely to be available on the cheap.

Verdict—heavy doubt on him going anywhere.

Sebastien Squillaci

Monaco was the reported suitor for Sebastien Squillaci back in January of this year, but no move ever materialised.

With Arsenal needing to downsize their wage structure and sign Robin Van Persie to a new deal, The Mail is reporting that Squillaci is one of those players that will be sacrificed for the greater good.

He's not good enough and Arsenal won't need him next season.

Verdict—I can't see him being a Gooner for much longer.

Olivier Giroud

Olivier Giroud is apparently available at the "right price" according to Montpellier owner Louis Nicollin.

£10 million is the figure being mentioned by the Metro and Arsene Wenger has been known to favour signing French players over previous seasons.

If that's the price he sells for, expect Arsenal to be bidding. Anything more would probably cause Wenger to look elsewhere.

Verdict—Gooner, if the cash is right.

Manuel Almunia

Manuel Almunia is effectively the third-choice goalkeeper at Arsenal behind Wojciech Szczesny and Lukasz Fabianski.

With his contract due to expire in the summer, he will surely make his way to another team in the search of first team football.

Verdict—goner, not a Gooner.

Eden Hazard

Belgium's hottest property, Eden Hazard is still being linked with Arsenal over a potential big-money summer move.

The European vultures are circling around Lille's best player and the bidding war is sure to mean that Arsene Wenger will look elsewhere.

£35 million is the figure being mentioned.

Verdict—no chance.

Carlos Vela

Yeah I'd forgotten about Carlos Vela as well.

Vela is currently on loan at Spanish side Real Sociedad and is enjoying himself.

So much so, in fact, that he has publicly stated he would like to stay there permanently.

Verdict—goner, not a Gooner.

Younes Belhanda

The Metro is reporting that Paris St. Germain are set to beat Arsenal to the signature of Montpellier's Younes Belhanda.

Belhanda has been one of the reasons behind Montpellier's excellent league form and is rumoured to be valued at approximately £10 million.

Paris St. Germain are set to trump that offer by doubling it, therefore ensuring Arsenal cannot afford to be in the running for the midfielder.

Verdict—no trip to London for Belhanda.

Lukasz Fabianski

Arsene Wenger is apparently considering loaning out Lukasz Fabianski for a season in order to aid his progression, but surely that is a signal that Fabianski is surplus to requirements at the Emirates Stadium.

Verdict—be it temporary or permanent, it's likely we'll see Fabianski in a different coloured shirt after the summer.

Aymen Abdennour

Aymen Abdennour is a Tunisian centre-back who currently plies his trade with Toulouse.

Valued at £5 million, Abdennour has apparently been tracked by Arsene Wenger for the past six months.

Verdict—an unknown cheap defender who is only 22 years of age. Gunner.

Chu-Young Park

Chu-Young Park could be on the verge of quitting Arsenal in the summer, as he has failed to establish himself as a first team regular under Arsene Wenger.

Whether his summer move is a permanent one or a temporary one is anybody's guess, but he certainly doesn't seem to be Wenger's go-to-guy.

Verdict—goner.

Afterthoughts

Arsenal may find this summer is going to be a clear out of nearly men and over-paid squad players—and that will only benefit the team in the long run.

Perhaps clearing the dead wood may allow Arsene Wenger to finally bring in a proven player to show Robin Van Persie that the club is heading in the right direction. Then again, Fernando Torres has proved that there is no such thing as a proven player when you switch clubs.

Thanks for reading and be sure to check out Liverpool Transfers: 8 Players the Reds Should Never Have Bought.

On Twitter? Follow me @petercwebster where I post all my B/R content.