Arsenal Transfer News: Latest Players, Rumours Linked to Arsene Wenger's Gunners

Arsenal could supplement their forward line with the capture of Marseille ace Michy Batshuayi in January, but they will face stiff opposition from Tottenham Hotspur in their attempt to land the £15 million-rated striker. 

Keiran Gill of the MailOnline said both north London sides watched the player represent his club against Rennes. Spurs are said to want to test Marseille's resolve with a quick offer, but the move could trigger "a bidding war" between the two rivals. 

Batshuayi has an excellent goal return for a young striker and has scored 19 times in 43 Ligue 1 appearances.

Here is a video of the player's best moments of the current campaign: 

Much could depend on Spurs' pursuit of West Bromwich Albion's Saido Berahino after a deadline-day bid failed in the summer, per Gill. If coach Mauricio Pochettino is successful in tempting the player to White Hart Lane in January, the door could be opened for Batshuayi to join manager Arsene Wenger's squad. 

The young Belgian is a classic forward, and he would add weight and strength to Wenger's diminutive pack. He is excellent at holding up the ball and is comfortable in possession, bringing team-mates into play.

France-based football writer Matt Spiro previously stated the youngster has a positive future ahead of him and could rival Paris Saint-Germain's Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani in the scoring charts this term:

David Vincent/Associated Press

However, the forward would struggle to displace Olivier Giroud in the starting XI this season, and this might put Batshuayi off a move to the Emirates Stadium. 

Wenger said in a press conference on Friday that Giroud is one of Europe's finest after the France international hit a hat-trick in the Champions League against Olympiakos on Wednesday night, as reported by talkSPORT:

"

I think [Giroud's] in that league because he plays for one of the best clubs in Europe and he scores goals. 

If you look at the number of games and the number of goals, you have to give him credit.

He's not only a goalscorer, he's a guy who puts work in for the team. I think he's among the best strikers in Europe.

I believe recently he has come back with an improved game and with his finishing. Wednesday was one of his best performances on all fronts.

"

PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/Getty Images

Wenger also moved to dismiss talks of a big-money move for controversial Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, saying he "cannot buy" the player in wake of Giroud's amazing form, per talkSPORT.

Spanish newspaper El Confidencial (h/t Aaron Flanagan of the Mirror) reported Arsenal "will be given the chance" to sign the world-class forward, but it now appears Wenger has dashed any potential deal. 

Batshuayi would make perfect sense as a January addition for Arsenal, as the injuries begin to stack up ahead of the busy Christmas programme. 

Despite being a strong individual, the young starlet would offer different skill sets to Giroud or Theo Walcott, and he would supplement the goal column in the second half of the campaign. 

The Gunners have maintained their drive in the Premier League, but there has been plenty of underperformance from the squad this season. 

The injury crisis will force Wenger to mix and rotate his options on a regular basis, and it is debatable that Arsenal have the current depth to stay at the top if they are forced to field weaker reserve players.