Arsenal Transfer News: January Signings Rumoured to Be on Arsene Wenger's Radar

Coming closer to the winter transfer window, Arsenal remain linked with a wide variety of transfer targets, including profiles both big and small, talents young and old.

This week's latest rumours and speculation have a particular focus on the economically friendly deals, with those discussed all entering the final phases of their respective contracts.

Read on to find out which low-fee moves Arsene Wenger could be making this January.

Fabian Delph

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Having seen his reputation rise significantly over the past year, England international Fabian Delph is reportedly on the Gunners' radar after stalling in Aston Villa contract negotiations.

Delph's contract in the west Midlands will expire at the end of this season, and the Daily Mirror's Steve Stammers says Wenger will look to offer Villa a fee in January, rather than lose their man for free next summer.

Ed Aarons of The Guardian praised Villa's new-look midfield earlier in September, with Delph now among its most senior members:

Paul Lambert remains hopeful of extending the playmaker's deal, however, as quoted by Goal.com (h/t Yahoo Sports) as saying:

"

We're talking to the respective parties about those so let's see what happens. You've got to put your best foot forward, as such. We're talking, which is a good thing, so we'll see what can be done. Vlaar and Delph are different from Jack [Grealish] because they're seasoned pros. We'll see what happens. Jack is developing.

"

Arsenal are once again going through a shortage in midfield depth, with injuries hitting Mikel Arteta, Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere of late.

Delph may not have the same pedigree of those players, but if his plans lie away from Villa Park, the club's best option could be to cut their losses and cash in this winter.

Vitorino Antunes

Just a year after signing Nacho Monreal from the Andalusians, Arsenal are reportedly looking to raid Malaga of another left-back in 2015, with his successor, Vitorino Antunes, on the verge of a £2.5 million deal.

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That's according to Jamie Anderson of the Daily Express, who writes that the 27-year-old is available on a cut-price fee due to confusion surrounding his future in Malaga, with his contract expiring in 2016.

Antunes gave a front of cohesiveness when confronting the Spanish press last week regarding what this season holds for the Anchovies, per Tom Conn of Inside Spanish Football:

"

We played well during our first three matches. Both physically and mentally we’re strong. We’ve got a lot of faith in our work and believe we can have a successful season. We’ve now got to concentrate on our next game. We should have gained more points from previous matches, not because of a lack of scoring chances or low motivation, as we’re on the right track and need to continue along the same lines...

We need to improve, score more goals and gain points, but I’m sure we’ll continue to get better match by match.

"

Wenger is thought to be keen on adding defensive recruits, with Kieran Gibbs currently his only fully fit left-back and Thomas Vermaelen's departure relieving the squad of one option in that role.

Antunes is a full Portuguese international and has thrived in Monreal's absence at times, his situation in Spain perhaps too good an opportunity for the north Londoners to pass up.

Adrien Rabiot

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Arsenal will not sign Adrien Rabiot in 2015 after it was revealed that the Paris Saint-Germain rebel has agreed to a precontract to sign with Roma on a free transfer next summer.

So says Jamie Anderson of the Daily Express, with ESPN FC's Jonathan Johnson backing up similar reports:

With his deal in the French capital coming to an end next June, it's been thought for some time that the 19-year-old would depart the Parc des Princes in 2015, and it appears Roma have won the race for his services.

Anderson quoted PSG boss Laurent Blanc in admitting his charge was likely to depart: "I believe he will leave, but I can't tell you where. Rabiot has received a good offer from PSG but apparently it doesn't interest him. It's a shame."

Christopher Lee/Getty Images

Rabiot has been highly rated in coming through Ligue 1's youth ranks, and it speaks volumes that Rudi Garcia should be so keen to recruit the starlet in what's an increasingly alluring project developing at the Stadio Olimpico.

There, Rabiot will seek to find what it is he could not with PSG, with the Gunners losing out in the meantime.