Arsenal Transfer News: Latest James Rodriguez and Jakub Jankto Rumours

Arsenal will reportedly lose out to Premier League rivals Manchester United if they try to sign Real Madrid's Colombian playmaker James Rodriguez. The attacking midfielder is said to have been convinced by his agent, Jorge Mendes, to prefer a move to Old Trafford, provided any bid is made.

Spanish source Diario Gol (h/t James Gray of the Daily Express) has revealed how Arsenal and north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur would be frustrated by United if the Premier League trio were to make offers.

Mendes has also encouraged his client Rodriguez to consider interest from France, with Paris Saint-Germain and AS Monaco both rumoured to be keen, per Gray:

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However, the Colombia international is said to have been convinced by his agent Jorge Mendes, who also manages Jose Mourinho among many others, that United would be the best option.

But the agent has also supposedly told his client that PSG and Arsenal would be reasonable alternatives.

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That last line suggests Arsenal still have a slim chance if they decide to actively pursue James. Yet, any interested party would have to offer Los Blancos "at least" £42 million for the 25-year-old, according to the reports.

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The Gunners were hotly tipped to sign Rodriguez during this summer's transfer window. Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo (h/t Alex Wood of the Daily Star) reported in late August how Arsenal were considered front-runners for the dynamic yet inconsistent player.

Rodriguez is the type of skilled flair player Gunners manager Arsene Wenger loves to build his teams around. He's a mercurial talent who can both create and supply goals, but his ability has failed to win over Real manager Zinedine Zidane.

Rodriguez has barely featured on the Frenchman's watch, so a move seems inevitable. The question is whether Arsenal need Rodriguez.

Wenger's squad is already loaded in the attacking-midfield areas. Specifically, languid pass-master Mesut Ozil and prolific wide forward Alexis Sanchez are the leaders of the forward line.

The marquee pair each have two years left on their contracts. But Wenger recently confirmed talks are set to resume over new deals, according to Steve Stammers and Liam Corless of the Daily Mirror.

With Alex Iwobi, Aaron Ramsey and Santi Cazorla also in the fold, Wenger would have to get creative to accommodate Rodriguez. He'd perhaps risk an unbalanced starting XI if he tried to add the Colombian to his platoon of existing playmakers.

Gunners Could be Pipped to Jakub Jankto

Arsenal have reportedly been overtaken by Premier League duo Leicester City and Bournemouth in the race to sign Udinese midfielder Jakub Jankto.

That's according to Fabrizio Romano of the Guardian: "The Czech Republic Under-21 international was scouted by Arsenal throughout last season but Leicester and Bournemouth have jumped the queue by telling Udinese they are ready to make an offer now."

A left-sided player, the 20-year-old is expected to cost any suitors £8 million. The interest from champions Leicester and the Cherries may prompt the Gunners into more decisive action, with Wenger said to have been on the case for quite some time.

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Last month, Italian source TuttoMercatoWeb.com (h/t Sport Witness) reported Wenger planned to continue sending scouts to run the rule over Jankto.

If Wenger is so keen, he'll need to move quickly. Yet, the Arsenal chief may be mindful of the current Gunners youngsters ready to break through.

Specifically, midfielders Jeff Reine-Adelaide and Chris Willock have caught the manager's eye, per the club's official site. Willock can play on the left, while Frenchman Reine-Adelaide has the physical stature to operate in a host of positions.

Wenger has always prided himself on a fidelity to developing youth, and his record in recent seasons has been excellent. He's seen both Iwobi and right-back Hector Bellerin quickly establish themselves as important members of the first team.

Rather than sign Jankto, Wenger may be more inclined to promote the next burgeoning talent from within. Similarly, he might judge his contingent of creative players is already well enough stocked to not need James.