Arsenal Transfer News: Paulo Dybala Deal Expected, Arsene Wenger Gets Cash Boost

Arsenal "are happy to wait" until the end of the season to sign Palermo striker Paulo Dybala, according to Spanish website Fichajes.net (h/t Alex Harris of the Daily Star).

The Italian club are allegedly happy to lower Dybala's £31 million valuation in the summer, and an agreement between the two sides could arrive in the "coming weeks," according to Harris' report.

Palermo owner Maurizio Zamparini is doing his best to galvanise hype, perhaps with a future sale in mind, as reported by Italian outlet Mediaset (h/t Harris): "Within two years, he's going to be better than Cristiano Ronaldo, (Lionel) Messi and (Zlatan) Ibrahimovic. It would take €40 million (£31 million) to take him away from us. He's the best striker in Serie A."

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While this isn't quite true on goalscoring form—with five goals right now, Dybala is the joint-eighth highest scorer in Serie A, per WhoScored.com—the 21-year-old is developing into a deadly finisher.

He has netted in his last three matches, scoring important goals against AC Milan, Udinese and Genoa, while grabbing plenty of attention in the process.

Arsene Wenger will reportedly receive greater funds than first expected to strengthen his team in January. Matt Law of the Daily Telegraph suggests the board "are willing to stretch" the budget from £20 million to help deal with the club's current injury crisis.

Jack Wilshere is set to miss up to four months after ankle surgery, per Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail, while Law's report indicates Mikel Arteta "may require a lengthy lay-off."

This adds to recent problems with defenders, such as Mathieu Debuchy and Laurent Koscielny, leaving Wenger with plenty of cracks to reinforce.

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Just like last season, the upcoming January transfer window is likely to see Arsenal linked with Paris Saint-Germain's Yohan Cabaye. The former Newcastle midfielder "is back on the Gunners' radar," according to Law, who also outlines Sevilla’s Grzegorz Krychowiak and Everton’s James McCarthy as possible investments.

McCarthy picked up a hamstring injury during the Toffees' Europa League win over Wolfsburg, as tweeted by the club, meaning he faces a spell on the sideline, too. Tony Scott of the Liverpool Echo noted McCarthy's importance to Roberto Martinez's side:

This could see Wenger prioritise Cabaye or Krychowiak in a bid to add some combativeness to his side's midfield. Both are experienced players who have proven themselves at the highest level. Vitally, both are willing to put their body on the line for the team's cause.

Such grit and determination is currently missing from Arsenal's centre. There's a lack of responsibility within the team, something football writer Jonathan Wilson discussed with B/R UK's Ryan Bailey:

Arsenal's Champions League win over Borussia Dortmund provided a needed boost to the side's confidence, but Premier League results must follow. A tough trip to West Bromwich Albion is followed by a home tie with high-flying Southampton and then a journey to Stoke City. Nine points is needed to charge for the top four.

January signings will undoubtedly aid this objective, even if Wenger will be forced to spend more than he'd perhaps like to turn the Gunners' prospects around.