Arsenal Transfer Rumours: Top 8 Players Linked to the Gunners

Arsenal have finally announced the arrival of Gervinho on their official website and the pacy forward is a player that Arsenal supporters will look forward to seeing in the next season. Gervinho was successful for Lille in the last season as his goals and assists helped the French club to win the French league. With Arsenal desperate to end their six-year trophy drought, supporters will hope that Wenger makes quality signings in the transfer window.

The Gunners have signed some exciting youngsters like Hector Bellerin and Carl Jenkinson in this transfer window but the Arsenal manager will know that he needs experienced quality players who can help them win trophies in the next season. The Gunners were close to winning a trophy last season but their collapse following their defeat in the Carling Cup final meant that it was another year of suffering for Arsenal and their faithful supporters.

However with Liverpool already signing four players in the transfer market including the likes of Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson, they are certain to challenge for Champions League places in the next season which is why Wenger is keen to hold on to Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, who are two of the most important players for the Gunners.

Wenger is keen to bring in some players who can further improve the quality of the team and there is a good chance he could be active in the remaining weeks of this transfer window. The Gunners have been linked with a number of players in the summer and here are some of the most interesting rumors regarding players who have been linked with a move to the Emirates.

1. Juan Mata (Valencia)

According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal have been told by Spanish club Valencia that midfielder Juan Mata will cost a minimum of £20 million if the Gunners are interested in signing him. Mata is one of the most talented youngsters in the world and played a crucial role in the Spain U-21 Euro Championship victory as well. Though Valencia have publicly maintained that they are not interested in selling the Spain International, they have told the Gunners to stump up the cash if they are interested in signing the midfielder.

Arsenal supporters have called for the manager to spend money in the past and though Arsene Wenger has not spent that much in the transfer market, whenever he has been questioned, he has insisted that Arsenal have the money to spend on quality players but identifying a player who can improve the quality of the team is difficult. However, Mata is a player who can improve the quality of the team and his versatility provides depth as well.

Valencia are currently not good regarding their financial state and could sell Mata if the fee is right though they will be unwilling to let him go on a bargain. Arsenal have their own problems in the summer is trying to persuade both Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas to stay at the club and help them win trophies. However, a move for Mata could also depend on the futures of these two quality midfielders.

According to the Mirror, Arsenal are interested in signing Mata not as a replacement for Nasri but to play alongside him which would provide the team with excellent quality. It will be difficult to sign the Spanish winger but Ivan Gazidis and Arsene Wenger should make moves for Mata and should the versatile midfielder sign for the North London club, it is sure to bring optimism to the supporters, many of whom who have been disillusioned by the long trophy drought.

2. Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)

Arsenal's main striker Robin van Persie is one of the best centre forwards in the Premiership and finished as the top scorer for the Gunners in the last season with 22 goals to his game. However, he was prolific last season, despite missing most of the first half of the last season and he is one of the more injury prone players at the club. 

The quality of the striker is undeniable but his injury record has meant that he has missed several crucial games over the years. However, since the departure of Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, Van Persie has developed into an excellent centre forward and should he remain fit, he can score 30 goals in a season. 

However, it would be a gamble to expect him to be fit throughout the season which is why Arsenal are targeting French striker Karim Benzema in the summer, according to the Daily Mail. However, Arsene Wenger has plans to sign the striker but again, it could be related to the futures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, who has only one year left on his current contract at Arsenal.

Benzema was signed for big money by Real Madrid in 2009 and after failing to make a big impact in his debut season with the Spanish giants, he was criticized for his performances. However in the 2010-11 season, the French striker found his form after the injury to Gonzalo Higuain and was prolific for the club. However, if Jose Mourinho does sign another striker in the transfer window, then it could mean that Benzema's playing time could be reduced and he is at a crucial stage in his career where he needs to play regularly.

3. Romelu Lukaku (Anderlecht)

According to the Sun, Arsenal are confident of beating Chelsea to the signing of teenage striker Romelu Lukaku of Anderlecht, who is already a senior Belgium International and has played a number of games for his club sides at the age of only 18. The striker has attracted the interest of several clubs in the world and Arsenal are hopeful of capturing the striker and Arsenal officials have met Lukaku's agent Christophe Henrotay in London today.

Also, the Gunners have apparently tabled a bid of around £14 million for the tall striker, who has made 71 appearances for Anderlecht and also scored 31 goals. Chelsea and a number of other clubs have tracked the centre forward, who has been compared to Didier Drogba in the past, and the Blues were the favorites to sign the youngster until Arsenal moved in for the youngster.

Arsenal have developed a number of promising youngsters into world-class players like Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie and could be ideal for the development of the strong forward. However, a move to Chelsea also appeals to the teenager and in all probability, Chelsea are more than capable of beating Arsenal if it comes down to a bidding war because of the financial muscle of the Blues.

However, if Arsenal have indeed tabled a £14 million bid for Lukaku, it is certainly a step in the right direction as he is a player who has the capability to be world class in the years to come and also indicates that Wenger is prepared to spend the right money to obtain quality players.

4. Gary Cahill (Bolton Wanderers)

According to the Telegraph, Arsenal are apparently interested in signing a dominant Premiership centre half and have identified Bolton Wanderer's Gary Cahill as a prime target to bring more solidity to the defence. The Gunners signed Laurent Koscielny and Sebastien Squillaci in the last season, where they also missed the presence of Thomas Vermaelen for most of the season.

However, Arsenal have not been solid in defence conceding as much as 43 goals in the league and though Koscielny has shown that he has immense potential to impress in the future, Squillaci has struggled for the Gunners. Arsenal's tour of Asia has been deemed a success because of the popularity they were able to generate in China and Malaysia but even in the preseason game against China, it looked like Squillaci was not the right man for the job at Arsenal.

Wenger has said in the past that he wanted strong quality players and Cahill is certainly a player who can bring a lot to the current Arsenal team. However, Bolton will demand that Arsenal meet the player's release clause set at around £17 million though the club is ready to sell the player because he is into his last year of his contract and also, because the club is in a lot of financial debt.

Also, the 25-year-old England Centre Back could move to a bigger club this summer which will be ideal for him to develop into an even better player and also importantly, establish himself as a regular for England, which will be difficult because of many excellent young centre backs like Phil Jones and Chris Smalling who will compete with Cahill in the future in the England National team for a place in the starting eleven.

It is yet to be seen if the Gunners will meet the release clause in Cahill's contract but they could offer players on loan which can play a role in decreasing the price they need to pay for the England International.

5. Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax)

According to talkSPORT, Arsenal FC failed in a last ditch bid to sign Dutch keeper Maarten Stekelenburg, who was poised to complete a move to AS Roma. However, it emerged recently on Skysports News, that Roma was set to complete a deal for Espanyol Goalkeeper Carlos Kameni, who they apparently prefer over Ajax goalkeeper Stekelenburg to be their No.1 keeper with Alexander Doni completing the move to Liverpool.

Arsenal's Wojciech Szczesny is a keeper, who is not short of confidence at all and despite being such a young keeper at the age of 20, he has the attributes to hold on to his place in the team for the years to come. However, he has still made mistakes in the past while keepers, Lukasz Fabianski and Vito Mannone have made errors when given the chance to impress.

However, with the error-prone Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia set to move away from the Emirates in the summer, Arsenal could be interested in signing a goalkeeper who could challenge the confident Polish International in the team. Stekelenburg could be an excellent addition for the Gunners as he is one of the best keepers in the world and is also very consistent.

It is still doubtful as to whether or not Arsenal will sign a goalkeeper but a keeper like Stekelenburg is undoubtedly going to bring a lot of quality to the team. The Ajax and Dutch no.1 could move in the summer but with David De Gea being signed by Manchester United, Arsenal is one of the few top clubs where Stekelenburg could be the first choice goalkeeper if he moved from Ajax in the summer.

6. Eden Hazard (Lille)

According to the Mirror, Arsenal are interested in Lille's Eden Hazard and Gervinho, for whom an agreement was reached according to the official website. Hazard was named as the best player of the French league and has attracted the interest of many top European clubs around the world. The Lille winger is one of the world's best prospects at the age of 20 and has been touted to achieve great things in the future.

The versatile winger is also a Belgium International and has the quality to make a difference for this Arsenal team. However, French Champions are strong in their resolve to hold on to Hazard, who can prove to be an asset in the upcoming Champions League campaign. Lille have already lost Yohan Cabaye and Gervinho, two of their influential players of the last season and they will be keen to keep Hazard at the club with the winger only recently signing a new deal.

However, according to ESPNSoccernet, cash-rich Paris St. Germain are also interested in the Lille winger Hazard and could attempt to sign him in this transfer window. The Lille manager Rudi Garcia is keen to hold on to the midfielder and is unlikely to let a player of his quality join their French rivals. Also, he believes that playing for Lille is the better option for the future of Hazard, than playing for PSG, which will be a backward step according to the Lille manager.

7. Per Mertesacker (Werder Bremen)

According to the People, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is set to rekindle his interest in Germany and Werder Bremen defender Per Mertesacker, who has been one of the most consistent performers in the Bundesliga. The tall defender has only one year left on his contract and Arsenal could sign him on a bargain price due to this. The Arsenal manager is an admirer of the German's qualities and could target the 6'6" defender as the imposing defender who could help the defence become solid in the next season.

Arsenal signed Laurent Koscielny and Sebastien Squillaci in the last summer and though Koscielny has proved that he has immense potential, Squillaci has been disappointing for the Gunners. Arsenal's Thomas Vermaelen was injured for most part of the last season but has recovered completely and is currently set to start as one of the centre backs.

However, Wenger wants another commanding centre-back who can provide them leadership in their ranks and Meresacker is a player who has already represented Germany in more than 75 appearances including World Cups and he has been regarded as one of the most consistent defenders in the world. He could be interested in a move to the Premiership because the 26-year-old is ready to make a big step in his career.

8. Marek Hamsik (Napoli)

According to the Independent, Arsenal are interested in Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik, who is regarded as one of the best attacking midfielders in the Italian league. The 23-year-old midfielder was integral in Napoli's superb performances last league, which helped them qualify for the Champions League. He is also the Slovakian captain and helped them qualify for the World Cup in South Africa.

Hamsik is considered to be an ideal replacement for Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas, who could leave the club to move to FC Barcelona. The Spanish midfielder has been linked with a move to the Catalan club in the past and though Arsenal will be reluctant to sell the midfielder, they cannot help if Fabregas does make it clear that he wants out though Barcelona will have to meet Arsenal's valuation of the midfielder, who is considered to be a world class player.

Hamsik has also attracted interest of other clubs including AC Milan in the past but Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri is confident reported Arsenal target Marek Hamsik will remain at the club next season. "Marek is happy to work with me and he is very motivated," said Mazzarri to Gazzetta dello Sport. "He is happy to remain here. I have spoken to him and from what I know, in the end he will not leave."