Arsenal Transfer Rumours: Latest Buzz on Dimitri Payet and Gonzalo Higuain

For once, this could be a great summer for Arsenal.

It seems to have become a yearly tradition that one of the Gunners' top players leaves during the summer transfer window for more money or a better chance to win a trophy.

That doesn't seem to be the case now, though, as you have seen very few rumors regarding anybody important leaving the Emirates. It's great news for the club as it can look forward and build to next season without having to worry about replacing an impact player.

Even better, it looks like there will be some major arrivals in the works. Here is the latest news regarding two such moves.

The Gunners Reportedly Have Dimitri Payet on their Transfer List

Maybe you've heard this one before—the Gunners are in for a move involving a French midfielder. The Daily Mail's Simon Jones reported Arsene Wenger is looking at Lille midfielder Dimitri Payet.

Fans of the Gunners might be wondering what the club would do with another talented, tricky midfielder, but Payet would be a very nice addition for the club.

Despite what was largely a disappointing season for Lille, Payet had a career year. In 38 Ligue 1 matches, he recorded 12 goals and 12 assists, which was tied Mathieu Valbuena for the league lead.

Payet has a lot of versatility in the attack. He can play in a central attacking role or on either wing. With that kind of ability, he could fit in Arsenal's attack very well.

Plus, there could be an opening in the team should the rumors regarding Gervinho prove true. The Daily Mirror's Ben Curtis reported Marseille could be interested in purchasing the Ivorian this summer.

At 26 years old, Payet is just reaching the peak of his footballing career. He's still got at least another four or five seasons before age starts becoming a problem.

With the tax rates facing French clubs, Lille might have to unload the player for a fee far below his ability. That would help the Gunners, as they have other targets on their radar this summer.

Money is No Object Regarding Gonzalo Higuain

It's a constant issue as to whether Arsenal will ever spend the money necessary to mount a title challenge. The club clearly has accumulated a hefty transfer budget, but rarely will it spend a lot of that on new players.

That could change this summer.

The Guardian's David Hytner is reporting Wenger is ready to go above and beyond the record £15 million Arsenal spent on Andrey Arshavin in 2009:

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Arsène Wenger hopes that the imminent appointment of Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid will allow him to step up his pursuit of the club's striker Gonzalo Higuaín, for whom he is ready to break the Arsenal transfer record.

Wenger wants fresh impetus up front and talks have already taken place with Higuaín's representatives. Juventus also covet the Argentina international, who Florentino Pérez, the Madrid president, values at £25m. Arsenal's record outlay is the £15m that they spent on Andrey Arshavin in 2009; he will leave the club as a free agent when his contract expires on 30 June.

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The Metro's Massimo Marioni reported the fee could be £25.5 million.

This has to be welcome news for Gunners supporters. Not only could Arsenal be getting a talented striker, the club is willing to spend the money to do so.

Olivier Giroud had a good debut season in the Premier League, but the Gunners don't really have another target man after the big Frenchman.

Although Higuain's role has diminished at Real Madrid, he's still a lethal striker. In four of the last five seasons, the 25-year-old Argentinian has scored 16 or more goals in a league season. The only time he didn't was in 2010/11, when he was limited to just 17 appearances.

Higuain is also a much different player to Giroud, so they could complement each other well. Higuain knows how to set up his teammates in the attack. He's got 39 assists over the last five seasons in La Liga.

Beyond just the impact on the pitch, seeing the Gunners spend a lot of money would be encouraging off the pitch. Some wonder whether Stan Kroenke and the Arsenal board are content to make money and have the club merely be competitive for a Champions League spot.

Purchasing Higuain would be a sign Arsenal is ready to end their trophy drought.