Arsenal Transfer News: Major Rumours and Gossip on Arsene Wenger's January Plans

A host of players have been linked with a move from Borussia Dortmund to Arsenal, but of all the names mentioned, the prospect of the Gunners signing Kevin Grosskreutz is perhaps the most feasible.

According to the Daily Star (h/t The Telegraph), the German international is a target for Arsene Wenger in a cut-price swoop, with the Emirates hierarchy willing to shell out £3.7 million for his services. Here’s what the club could expect for that kind of money:

While he may not harbour a gravitas comparable to men like Marco Reus, Ilkay Gundogan and Mats Hummels, Grosskreutz is a player that could potential be an understatedly shrewd addition for the Londoners. He’s a tenacious and irrepressibly industrious footballer, one who can fill various roles in both midfield and defence; the kind of player that’d be perfect for a club—like the Gunners—who are looking to challenge on various fronts.

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German football expert Alex Chaffer thinks that there is little chance of the utility man—who is Dortmund to the core—could potentially leave the Westfalenstadion anyway:

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It pains me to see people believe that Kevin Großkreutz could actually go to Arsenal.

— Alex Chaffer (@AlexChaffer) January 23, 2015"

But with Dortmund in something of a rut, the prospect of playing for an elite club like Arsenal in one of the continent’s most distinguished divisions must be a tempting proposition. Nonetheless, with BVB set for a relegation scrap in the second half of the Bundesliga campaign, Grosskreutz’s versatility and experience will be vital attributes for Jurgen Klopp’s team.

Wenger already looks to have moved in earnest in an attempt to add some fortitude to his squad anyway. Arsenal have agreed a deal in principle to sign Gabriel Paulista from Villarreal, per BBC Sport, but with potential problems in the making surrounding the player’s work permit, the Gunners are reportedly keeping tabs on Aleksandar Dragovic as a contingency plan.

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As noted by Simon Jones of the MailOnline, the Dynamo Kyiv star has attracted interest from a host of Premier League teams, including Arsenal and Manchester United. The 23-year-old would reportedly be available for £15 million.

Here’s a look at what the Gunners could potentially get for that kind of money:

With a deal for Paulista seemingly in place, it looks as though Dragovic may well favour a move to United at this juncture. Indeed, given the Red Devils’ lack of centre-back options and Louis van Gaal’s willingness to play a system that accommodates three central defenders, the Austria skipper would surely see much more in terms of game time at Old Trafford too.

Don’t expect this rumour to persist should the Gunners secure a work permit for Paulista, but as noted by Wenger himself recently, the club could still be on the lookout for further acquisitions, per Kevin Palmer of ESPN:

One player who looks unlikely to be joining any time soon is Napoli forward Gonzalo Higuain. As noted by Bruce Archer of the Daily Star, the Partenopei’s club president Aurelio De Laurentiis told Sky Sport 24 that they have no intention of selling the Argentina forward:

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I have no intention of selling Higuain. We are strengthening the team and will buy other reinforcements. We have to do this in a methodical manner, not by chance. If we can’t find the right ones in January, we’ll get them in June. I know we must reinforce the midfield and the defence.

"

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Here’s a look at what the forward could potentially bring to the Emirates:

While there aren’t really any pressing needs for the Gunners to add further firepower to their ranks during this midseason window, a world-class striker is something that Wenger will surely be looking at to complement the eminent attacking vim of Alexis Sanchez and mercurial playmaking abilities of Santi Cazorla. But a move of that clout will surely be put on hold until the summer.

Bleacher Report’s Matteo Bonetti looked at how Higuain would fare in the Premier League:

Olivier Giroud and Danny Welbeck are fine forwards, each capable of leading the line admirably for Arsenal. But a forensic finisher and excellent link man like Higuain could potentially push Arsenal on to stratospheric new heights.

If Napoli fail to qualify for next season’s Champions League—what would be the second season in succession they haven’t made it to the main draw—a player like Higuain will surely start to consider his options. The 27-year-old is approaching his peak years as a striker and although Napoli is an outstanding football club, Arsenal should have the gravitas to lure him away from the San Paolo in the summer.