Arsenal Transfer News: Buzz Surrounding Arsene Wengers' January Targets

Arsenal have had an up and down start to the 2014-15 Premier League season, and fans are already calling for reinforcements in several key departments to arrive in the January transfer window.

The summer of 2014 was a busy one at the Emirates Stadium, but for all of the turnover, several units are already struggling for depth one month later.

The Gunners still rank near the top of the Premier League standings, however, and with one or two key arrivals in January, the club's fortunes could turn around in a hurry. Here's the latest buzz surrounding Arsenal and their reported transfer targets.

Marco Reus

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According to German newspaper Sportbild (h/t to the Daily Express' Anthony Chapman), Borussia Dortmund star Marco Reus is refusing to sign a new deal with his current club.

The forward was one of the hottest names on the transfer market during the summer and reportedly has a £20 million buyout clause that will activate next season, giving Die Schwarzgelben plenty of reasons to sign him to an improved deal.

Reus is none too satisfied with the club's current transfer policy, however, as some of their biggest stars have bolted for Bayern Munich in the past few years.

A refusal to sign a new deal doesn't automatically have to mean a transfer is imminent, but with the £20 million buyout clause in place, Dortmund could look to cash in should the situation take a turn for the worse in the coming months.

The Gunners have no real need for another forward, but talent like Reus doesn't become available very often. Dortmund will wish to avoid their star playmaker leaving for rivals Bayern Munich, giving Arsenal an added advantage in a potential race for his signature.

William Carvalho

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The Portuguese midfielder was one of the targets most often linked with the Gunners during the summer, but as reported by Goal's Chris Davie, he recently told current club Sporting Lisbon he never wanted to leave in the first place:

"

Nobody ever heard me say I wanted to leave the Sporting or was dissatisfied. I've always been satisfied at Sporting.

As things have not gone well me start this championship, people think it is because I'm upset, but they could not be more wrong. I want to always be right, but that's football, sometimes things do not go on the pitch as we wish.

I feel I can give more and can do better than last season. I know I have not been at the highest level, but eventually things will go well and I hope it will be in the next game.

"

The 22-year-old hasn't enjoyed the greatest start to the 2014-15 season, running into a red card in the first match of the season, per WhoScored.com. He has just one assist so far this campaign, and with his struggles, Sporting have failed to win all but one of their fixtures thus far.

Carvalho refuses to point the finger at possible distractions for his poor form, however, and for all of his struggles, his talent is still undeniable. The Guardian's Ed Aarons was still wishing the youngster wore the red and white when watching a recent Arsenal match:

Arsenal remain the most likely destination for the Portugal international, but the timing of a potential transfer is a question mark. Carvalho may not be interested in moving in January, given his comments, and Arsenal may prefer to wait to see if his form bounces back before paying a hefty transfer fee.

He's still likely to end up at the Emirates, however, and with the Gunners struggling to fill the holding midfielder position, the right offer could change both Carvalho's and Sporting's mind in January.

Mile Svilar

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Nearly every top club in England is reportedly interested in Anderlecht youngster Mile Svilar, a 15-year-old goalkeeper who is already being called "the new Thibaut Courtois."

The Daily Mail's Adam Shergold believes the Gunners face competition from Chelsea and Manchester United, although the stopper's father Ratko Svilar remains adamant his son will stay in Brussels for the foreseeable future.

He told Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad (h/t to Shergold):

"

He has trialled at Chelsea and Manchester United also enquired. Everyone wants him.

But we already have an agreement with Anderlecht, even though he can't sign a contract until his 16th birthday.

There is nowhere better for him than Anderlecht. At his 20th birthday, we'll see.

"

Svilar won several individual awards in the past season, including the honours as top goalkeeper at the U19 PSV Otten Cup, playing against competition up to four years older.

Anderlecht's current stopper situation is solid, with longtime starter Silvio Proto still going strong. Manager Besnik Hasi has shown a willingness to give some of his younger talent a chance, however, and Anderlecht's Purple Talents programs has a reputation as being one of Belgium's top breeding grounds.

Svilar is not expected to leave Anderlecht anytime soon, and Arsenal scouts will have to continue monitoring his development for the time being.

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