Arsenal Transfer News: Essential January Signings Identified by Arsene Wenger

Arsenal's lack of defensive depth continues to haunt them in the 2014-15 season, so it's no wonder that Arsene Wenger is reportedly looking at a host of targets to bring to the Emirates during the January transfer window.

Injuries, lack of form and overall depth have taken their toll on the back four, and the shocking 3-3 draw against Anderlecht—followed by a loss against Swansea—once again highlighted the problems. The Gunners twice gave up the lead in matches they had controlled up until that point.

Not every player on this list is expected to move in January, but that won't stop Wenger from prying. With the need for defensive help at an all-time high, this might be the year Wenger decides he has to spend in midseason in order to compete for the European places.

Mats Hummels

Frank Augstein/Associated Press

German sources claim World Cup hero Mats Hummels prefers a transfer to Arsenal, according to the Daily Mirror's Dave Kidd.

The 25-year-old hasn't enjoyed his start to the 2014-15 campaign. He has been sidelined by multiple injuries and has had to watch his Borussia Dortmund squad struggle tremendously in the Bundesliga.

Manchester United have been linked with a move for the centre-back since the summer, but according to Kidd, Wenger has been keeping tabs on Hummels. The defender is now believed to prefer a move to London, with the Red Devils isolating Ron Vlaar as their top target.

The Germany international has been involved in transfer discussions for months now—and, as shared by FourFourTwo's Alex Chaffer, such chatter is still premature:

It seemed highly unlikely Hummels would actually leave until Dortmund's recent struggles, and it's not outlandish to think the defender sees this as the right time to move on.

A January deal is still implausible, however. Dortmund aren't in the business of selling their top players in midseason, and Hummels' status as arguably the most sought-after defensive target leans itself more to a summer transfer saga.

Virgil van Dijk

Octav Ganea/Associated Press

TalkSPORT's Raj Mangat reports on a special scouting meeting the Gunners will hold in the next week, with Dutch international Virgil van Dijk being one of the players on the team's list.

The 23-year-old has impressed for Celtic in the Europa League and appears ready for the step up in competition. He has already spoken of his admiration for Arsenal, via the Daily Star's Jack Wilson:

"

Arsenal are an amazing club.

It’s a big club with a great history. I’m happy here just now and I want to play well and we’ll see what happens in the future.

Until there are bids I can’t say thing. There is no rush to leave but you never know in the future.

"

Van Dijk presents Arsenal with an interesting fit in the sense that he has the physical makeup of a prototypical Premier League centre-back and the athleticism and passing range to move one row forward and contribute as a holding midfielder.

Such versatility makes him a solid target with an eye on depth, in the same way Calum Chambers is capable of covering for multiple positions. Mangat believes a reported £10 million bid should be enough to bring him to the club in January. It's a solid value for a young, talented player with positional versatility.

Experience is a question mark, but with a healthy Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker, the Gunners wouldn't be looking for an immediate impact starter.

Winston Reid

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

West Ham's Winston Reid is also a reported target after impressing during the early stages of the 2014-15 season, according to Goal's Wayne Veysey.

The Hammers are enjoying a comfortable season in the Premier League and have been greatly aided by their defensive efforts, conceding the seventh-least goals in the competition, per WhoScored.com.

Reid's contract expires in June, per Veysey, and he will likely not commit to the club until he has a chance to see what potential suitors are willing to offer in the January window.

If he decides not to sign a new deal, the Gunners could wait until June and bring him in on a free transfer or convince West Ham to accept a reduced fee in January. The latter scenario would be desirable, giving the club some depth heading into the second part of the season.

It's still very unclear whether the 26-year-old will sign a new deal or not, however, and if the Hammers can offer him an attractive wage packet, the opportunity to remain a starter could sway him to snub Arsenal.

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