Arsenal Transfers: Top 10 Players They're Rumoured to Pursue in January

Arsène Wenger's January recent track record adheres to his economically efficient transfer policy. 

Mind you, Andrei Arshavin and José Antonio Reyes, two of Wenger's most expensive signings, were signed during the January transfer window. 

This article will examine and rank the top 10 players Arsenal are rumoured to pursue in January. 

It will also access the likelihood of the transfer, if the player is up to Arsenal's standard and if he can succeed in the Premier League. 

Jefferson Farfan

According to talkSPORT, Schalke are ready to swap Jefferson Farfan for Andrei Arshavin. 

Likelihood of the transfer: Highly unlikely. 

If Anzhi Makhachkala are serious about Andrei Arshavin (which they are), then Arsenal would be better inflating the transfer fee of the Russian than getting Farfan in return. 

Farfan up to Arsenal's standard: No. 

The Peruvian has been in good form for Schalke, but Arsenal can do better. 

Can he succeed in the Premier League: No. 

Where will Farfan play? Off the bench? 

He doesn't have explosive pace, nor is his dribbling ability world class to trouble solid Premier League defenders. 

Esteban Granero

According to Prarthito Maity at the International Business Times, Arsenal will sign Real Madrid reserve midfielder Esteban Granero for £6 million. 

Likelihood of the transfer: Likely.

I've been hearing this transfer for quite sometime now, so where is there is smoke, there must be fire.

It makes sense, it's under the radar, it's value for money and Granero being a high-IQ footballer, he fits well into Arsène Wenger's team. 

Granero up to Arsenal's standard: Remains to be seen. 

Which Arsenal are we talking about? An Arsenal trying to imitate the Invincibles? Or an Arsenal who just want to be competitive? If it's the latter option, yes. If it's the former, no. 

There's a reason why he has failed to become an integral member of this Real Madrid team twice. 

Can he succeed in the Premier League: Maybe. 

Granero will give you 6/10 performances, certainly 10/10 on effort, but I see more Denílson- than Patrick Vieira-like performances. 

Keep this in mind, I remember Esteban Cambiasso looking on the outer at Los Blancos, and it was Inter Milan who gave the Argentine a chance. 

In fact, Vieira failed at A.C. Milan and it was Wenger who gave him a chance. 

Nigel De Jong

According to Ryan Bailey at Sports News Ireland, Arsenal will surprisingly bid for Nigel de Jong, who has been on the outside looking in at Manchester City.  

Likelihood of the transfer: Won't happen. 

As good as de Jong was last season, he is a defensive midfielder who will not change Arsenal's fortunes. Unless Manchester City charitably loan the Dutchman like Chelsea loaning out Yossi Benayoun, there is no point in spending a penny on de Jong. 

Especially when you have Alex Song and Emmanuel Frimpong. 

De Jong up to Arsenal's standard: Yes.

De Jong is a world class midfielder playing at a world class club. One can even make the argument that he would be stepping down in class by moving to Arsenal. 

Can he succeed in the Premier League: Yes. 

We already know what he brings to the table. We've seen it and we know he is an effective footballer. The question is what can he do that Song and Frimpong can't? 

Consistency is the only thing separating the three, therefore Arsenal should persist with either Song or Frimpong.  

Ryad Boudebouz

According to tribalfootball, Arsenal will look to bid for Sochaux midfielder Ryad Boudebouz. 

Likelihood of the transfer: Up in the air. 

Liverpool and Real Betis are said to be in vying for Boudebouz, and wouldn't it be more logical for Arsène Wenger to go for players like Marco Reus and Lukas Podolski, who can play in midfield and attack?

Boudebouz up to Arsenal's standard: Not sure. 

Boudebouz has played most of this season on the ring wing and has been OK. All his goals this season have come from the penalty spot. 

In terms of in-form midfielders in Ligue 1, I think of Javier Pastore, Mathieu Valbuena and Nenê.

Can he succeed in the Premier League: Maybe.

Boudebouz looks as flashy as his compatriot Adel Taarabt, but can he produce? Taarabt has failed to produce in the Premier League. 

Sebastian Giovinco

According to Jak Penny at Footybunker.com, Arsenal are monitoring Parma's Sebastian Giovinco for a potential January bid.

Likelihood of the transfer: Unlikely. 

Giovinco has thrived as a second forward under Franco Colomba's 4-4-1-1 formation. 

It makes no sense for Giovinco to leave Parma having just started to fulfill his potential.

Parma, historically, have been tough negotiators, selling 10 players for over £20 million since 1999. 

Arsenal will not be able to afford Giovinco, nor is he worth anything in excess of £20 million. 

Giovinco up to Arsenal's standard: Yes. 

Giovinco has world class potential but in the past he has drifted in and out of games. 

Can he succeed in the Premier League: Remains to be seen. 

Watching him in the Serie A, I cringe when defenders stand their ground as Giovinco with his 5'4" frame collides into them. 

In the Premier League, defenders are more rough, so the million dollar question is can Giovinco withstand the physicality of the Premier League? 

Yoann Gourcuff

According to Prarthito Maity at International Business Times, Arsenal will cash in on Yoann Gourcuff for a cut-price of £8 million. 

Likelihood of the transfer: Likely. 

Ligue 1's financial regulations could force Lyon to sell some of their prized assets. 

Now who would want to buy Gourcuff after he failed to make the grade at A.C. Milan and failed to live up to his £19 million price tag at Lyon? 

An economically efficient Frenchman with a Masters degree in economics living in London. 

Gourcuff up to Arsenal's standard: Yes.

The talent is there. For whatever reason, Gourcuff cannot consistently play well. 

Can he succeed in the Premier League: Remains to be seen. 

If he failed in the Serie A, but was okay in Ligue 1, it doesn't necessarily equate to success in the Premier League.

Papiss Cissé

Freiburg forward Papiss Cissé has indicated his desire to play at a higher level, saying, "I want to test myself at a big club and I believe I would be a big success in England."

Likelihood of the transfer: Up in the air. 

I'm just going off what Cissé has said and it's up to Arsenal if they want someone like him as the club. 

Last season, I ranked him as the 16th best forward in the world. 

Cissé up to Arsenal's standard: Yes. 

Reminds me of a quicker version of Diego Milito. 

Like Milito, Cisse isn't a prodigious talent, worked his way up the ranks and scores goals seemingly out of nothing. 

Can he succeed in the Premier League: Yes.

He has excellent positional sense, enough pace to trouble most Premier League defenders and is a superb finisher. 

Xherdan Shaqiri

According to Sportsvibe, Arsenal will turn to Basel's Xherdan Shaqiri as Lille's Eden Hazard chases his dream of playing for Real Madrid. 

Likelihood of the transfer: Probable. 

If Arsenal throw £10-15 million, surely Basel will accept. 

Shaqiri up to Arsenal's standard: Yes. 

A fine player. You can see it in his eyes that he wants to take it the opposition. What about that goal against England? 

Can he succeed in the Premier League: Yes. 

Pace, ability and end product—very good prospect. 

Lukas Podolski

According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal are ready to make a £20 million bid for Köln's Lukas Podolski.

Likelihood of the transfer: Unlikely. 

Arsenal will not bid £20 million for a 26-year-old. To Köln, Podolski is worth more than £20 million, because without him, relegation becomes more probable. 

Podolski up to Arsenal's standard: Yes. 

Take Podolski's failures at Bayern Munich with a grain of salt, because a combination of unfortunate circumstances ended any chance for him succeed at Bavaria. 

What you need know is that he has been a standout performer for Germany over his career. 

Can he succeed in the Premier League: Yes. 

If he is played centrally, he will succeed, but if he is played on the left as he does for Germany, I cannot envision him transitioning into one of the Premier League's best players. 

Marco Reus

According to The Independent, Borussia Mönchengladbach are pleading with Marco Reus to stay instead of moving to either Arsenal or Bayern Munich. 

Likelihood of the transfer: Unikely. 

Arsenal have invested in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, so buying Reus may stunt Chamberlain's growth, which is counterproductive. 

Plus Bayern Munich will outbid Arsenal and at the end of the day. If Borussia Mönchengladbach are forced to sell, they'll sell to the highest bidder. 

Reus up to Arsenal's standard: Yes. 

I see Reus more as a right winger, however I have noticed a tendency for him to drift around.

I guess seeing as he is the man at Borussia Mönchengladbach, he gets a pass on disregarding tactical formations. 

Can he succeed in the Premier League: Yes. 

He is jet-heeled, technical, plays to the Arsenal motto and is a prototypical Arsenal player.

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