Arsenal Transfer News: Why Gunners Should Focus on Signing Jan Vertonghen

Arsenal’s cross hairs must focus on Jan Vertonghen.

The Gunners targeted Vertonghen this transfer period, but missed the mark early. Now, though, the latest news puts them back in the hunt for the defender’s services. Arsenal is pursuing a handful of footballers, but the No. 1 player on their hit list must be Vertonghen.

According to the Daily Mail, Vertonghen isn’t a lock to sign with Tottenham anymore. He reportedly announced:

"

I’ve said repeatedly that Tottenham are my first choice, but the talks haven’t progressed. They have shown me around, I have met all their key people and their chairman came to meet me on Monday. But Arsenal want me too. They remain a possibility if my Spurs move falls through, as Ajax are asking £12m for me.

"

That is music to the Gunners’ ears.

Arsenal has their eyes on another defender as well: Yann M’Vila. But according to Gareth McKnight of Goal.com, M’Vila isn’t in a rush to sign with the Gunners, to say the least. According to the report, he’ll decide his future club after Euro 2012.

Arsène Wenger shouldn’t sit around and wait for M’Vila to make his decision, though. He must acquire Vertonghen because he’s the better option regardless.

Duncan White of the Sunday Telegraph believes the Gunners’ aggressiveness is a sign that they’re in win-now mode. He wrote: “There needs to be—and it looks like Wenger is going in that direction—a transfer policy geared towards immediate results.”

And if the Gunners want immediate results, Vertonghen is the answer.

The 25-year-old is not only known for his defensive prowess, but scoring ability as well. His game is far more developed than M’Vila’s, who, while he’s a phenomenal defender, isn’t a feared offensive threat. At 21 years old, M'Vila arguably has more upside than Vertonghen, but potential doesn't translate to immediate results. 

While signing both players is a possibility, Vertonghen must be the priority.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

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