Arsenal Transfer News: Latest on Isco, Karim Benzema and Riyad Mahrez Rumours

After failing to sign a single outfield player over the summer, Arsenal are now identifying a number of targets ahead of the January transfer window, including Real Madrid duo Isco and Karim Benzema, as well as Leicester City's Riyad Mahrez.  

According to Spanish outlet Fichajes.net (via Metro's Jamie Sanderson), Gunners boss Arsene Wenger "plans to urge Arsenal officials to make an offer to sign Isco."

The Spaniard is an outstanding attacking midfielder, and though Arsenal are well stocked in that position, Isco could be a long-term replacement for Santi Cazorla, who turns 31 this season.

As WhoScored.com demonstrates, the 23-year-old is one of the top dribblers and passers in La Liga:

The midfielder had six goals and 14 assists in all competitions last season—the combined total being more goals than Mesut Ozil or Aaron Ramsey contributed.

As he faces competition from James Rodriguez and new arrival Mateo Kovacic, and with Gareth Bale now occupying Isco's favoured No. 10 spot, he could be tempted by a move elsewhere as he fights for game time.

Fichajes (in Spanish) also report (via Metro), that Los Blancos are ready to "listen to offers from potential suitors as early as January" for Isco's team-mate Benzema. According to the report, the Frenchman was heavily linked with a switch to the Emirates in the summer, but Arsenal failed to prise him away from the club.

Francisco Seco/Associated Press

The striker has already netted twice in two games this season, following his impressive total of 22 goals and 15 assists in all competitions last year. Football journalist Dermot Corrigan noted how Benzema was on hand to finish off a neat move between himself, Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo in his last outing:

However, it seems unlikely Madrid are willing to let either Benzema or Isco depart given manager Rafael Benitez's recent comments, per the club's official Twitter feed:

Of the two Isco remains the more likely as Los Blancos have far more options in attacking midfield than at centre-forward, but it will still be difficult to land his signature unless he becomes a bit-part player and seriously angles for a move.

A cheaper option could be Mahrez, who David Wright of the Daily Express reports is another January target for Arsenal with a bid for the winger "expected."

The Algerian has been in stunning form this season, as Squawka Football shares:

Sky Sports presenter Ed Chamberlin and former Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand are among those to sing the 24-year-old's praises:

However, while Mahrez is unlikely to set Arsenal back as much money as one of Real Madrid's stars, according to Ian Baker of the Daily Express, Foxes boss Claudio Ranieri said: "Riyad is worth nothing as we don't sell him so there is no price. I look at Riyad when we don't have the ball, his movement. I'm trying to help him become the complete player."

Leicester have been magnificent this season and sit second in the Premier League having scored the same number of goals as Manchester City.

Nevertheless, the Foxes started well last season before slipping to bottom of the table in the middle of the campaign, so survival will still be their primary goal this year.

As such, their determination to keep Mahrez is even more understandable, and selling him in January could jeopardise their chances of staying up.

Should their survival be more or less assured by then, Arsenal could have a chance of landing him, but otherwise, a January move for the winger seems fairly unlikely.