Who Will Arsene Wenger Sign Before The Transfer Window Closes?

It is well documented that Arsene Wenger has been closely monitoring the 6'2" Moroccan striker's situation at Bordeaux. With one bid of around £5.5 million already reportedly rejected by the reigning French Champions.

Laurent Blanc’s side want a reported £15 million for the 25-year-old, yet as he has just twelve months remaining on his contract, the Gunners boss recently stated he would not be increasing his bid. However it is likely that Bordeaux will want to sell him now in order to gain some kind of profits for his services rather than let him walk as a free agent next season.

Despite the rumors that Wenger has ended his interest in the promising young striker, the Daily Mail claim that Arsenal are set to make a second bid for Chamakh, with an offer of £7.5million heading to France.

Personally I would like to see Wenger sign Chamakh—he has a great amount of potential and is an extremely hard worker, and brings other players into the game with his ability to hold the ball up for others.

His consistent hard work is something that the fans will love after the sometimes lazy play of Emmanuel Adebayor and especially considering he is desperate for this move, he will surely leave everything on the field for the Gunners should he join.

Probability Rating: 70%

Wolfsburg star Edin Dzeko has signed a contract extension with the club, expiring in 2013. This is bad news for both Arsenal and AC Milan, who had shown interest in the hope of signing the 6'3" Bosinan striker.

Dzeko seems happy with his current situation at Wolfsburg, as they will continue to compete for the Bundesliga this season as well as earning automatic qualification for the Champions League.

"Now I can concentrate on the team, I can't wait to start again with the Bundesliga and the Champions League."

Dzeko joined Wolfsburg in 2007 from Czech side Teplice, and has scored 34 goals since then for the club, 26 of which came last season, when he somewhat suprisingly helped his side to Bundesliga glory.

With a promising future for a talented young striker don't rule out the possibility of Arsene Wenger making a move for the 23-year-old next summer should his club's success only turn out to be a one year wonder.

Probability Rating: 65%

At 6'5" Brede Hangeland is a giant of a defender, not afraid to get physical and never shy's away from contact. He is also a goal-scoring threat from set plays, something that Arsenal will look to improve on this season. Defensively he is very solid with his strengths obviously in the air. He does however occasionally get caught out with his lack of speed and agility.

Arsene Wenger has been lookout for a new central defender this summer, after losing Kolo Toure to Manchester City in a £14 million deal and will want to add depth to a position that was plagued with injuries last season.

Thomas Vermaelen, the Belgian international, has been signed from Ajax, but the Gunners boss wants to pair his new recruit with Fulham star Hangeland.

It is being claimed in Norway that a deal has been agreed between the two Premier League clubs, which will see the 28-year-old head to the Emirates. But Fulham boss Roy Hodgeson is reluctant so sell one of his star players.

Probability Rating: 65%

If Wenger does not land Brede Hangeland from Fulham he does have another option in Neven Subotic from Borussia Dortmund.

At 6'4" he possess similar height to Hangeland but is still young at only 20 years old. But much like the Fulham player Subotic has his weaknesses but is amongst the top tier of defenders in the Bundesliga.

Subotic recently signed a new five-year deal at Dortmund and it would take big money for any move to happen according to his agent who has stated that he will not be leaving this summer, however Arsenal do have funds available.

Probability Rating: 45%

Serdar Tasci is a player that I have personally liked, and thought would definitely be a good fit for Arsenal. Tasci had a superb 08/09 season which has seen him break into the German international side on a regular basis. However, his club are announced a statement that an ‘agreement in principle’ has been reached over a new long-term extension.

At 6'1" Tasci would have been another welcome addition to the Gunners squad after the signing of Thomas Vermaelen boosting the club further with his sound defensive awareness and versatility as he can play either in the centre or at right-back. The player himself has spoken out about the interest but remains content with staying at Stuttgart for at least another season.

Tasci was linked with Arsenal around the time they were also linked with Felipe Melo. Melo would eventually sign with Juventus.

Probability Rating: 35%

The 26-year-old, 6'6" giant has been on the radar of Arsene Wenger but only sparingly as a precaution should he not find another viable option in the transfer market.

The Brazilian has great size which would definitely give the Gunners an Advantage at set piece plays both on offense and in defense.

However Arsenal have not shown a great deal of interest in the talented but often injury prone big man. Should Wenger decide, however to add Naldo to his squad it would give them another dimension they could work with and help in a lot of defensive areas.

Probability Rating: 40%

Arsenal have recently been heavily linked with Blaise Matuidi, although no clear progress has been made by the Gunners in sealing a deal for the 22-year-old French Under-21 international. Valued at around £5m by his club Matuidi is of a similar mold to Lassana Diarra formerly of Arsenal, Chelsea and Portsmouth and now a starter for Real Madrid.

Matuidi, who attended the renowned Clairefontaine academy, joined St Etienne in 2007 from Troyes.

Standing at only 5'9" his height does raise some concern as Wenger has stated that he wants his Arsenal side to get bigger and tougher, one of the main problems Arsenal had last season was that they lacked height and were vulnerable from crosses and set plays.

Regardless of his lack of height Matuidi remains a target for Wenger, a solid defensive midfield player is something that Wenger is in the market for as Wenger would like to add depth behind incumbent starter Alex Song.

Probability Rating: 75%

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger saw the 6'5" Argentinian central defender as a replacement for Kolo Toure. He is seen as a no-nonsense defender who's style of play resembles that of Carlos Puyol of Barcelona.

While impressing in Spain with Sevilla, the 22-year-old was also rising fast at international level and after appearing in the Olympic Games for Argentina he was given his full debut in 2008.

Fazio has previously stated that he has no intention of leaving Sevilla to join Arsenal this summer after hearing that the Gunners had made a €7million bid for his services.

Probability Rating: 40%

Inler came to many people's attention at Euro 2008 with Switzerland. At 6' tall, very quick and physical he perfectly built to play the defensive midfield role.

The Swiss international has been linked with a move to Arsenal and more recently with Liverpool by reports in both England and Italy.

However like last season Inler, his club and his agent have shrugged off any speculation linking the Midfielder with a move away by insisting that he is happy at Udinese.

Probability Rating: 35%

Niko Kranjcar will make a superb signing for someone as he has stated that he will leave Portsmouth next summer, possibly sparking bids this summer as he looks to leave the struggling south coast side.

The Croatian international has been heavily linked with Arsenal in the past, whilst Spurs manager Harry Redknapp, who signed him for Pompey, is said to want him at Tottenham Hotspur.

Arsene Wenger has been an admirer of Niko Kranjcar for at least 2 years now but has yet to have made an offer for the 25-year-old. Ideally now would be a good time as he seems to want out and Portsmouth FC seem to be on the brink of collapse. Not that you should take advantage of others misfortunes but hey its a business.

Probabilty Rating: 60%

So there it is, my list of 8 players that could possibly wear the red-and-white of Arsenal this coming season.

Thanks for reading my article, please leave your comments and thoughts below!

Farooq.