Arsenal Transfer Rumors: 10 Biggest Rumors with the Best Chance of Happening

Could Arsenal be experiencing something of a renaissance?

It certainly seems like it.

As their rivals continue to falter, the Gunners have wasted no time in capitalizing on opportunities handed to them, and now find themselves above Tottenham in the table, a feat which seemed insurmountable just a few short weeks ago.

What this run shows, more than anything, is that the Gunners have a fantastic foundation upon which to build for the future. They will certainly not win the Premier League title this season, but with the right summer moves, that goal is more than attainable.

Of course, for additions to arrive, some incumbent squad members must depart, and some exits almost look like certainties.

Here are 10 of those transfers that might just happen, and that could potentially take Arsenal over the proverbial hump.

Riccardo Montolivo

We all know how, shall we say, fiscally responsible Arsene Wenger is in the transfer market. That frugality is why the boss might be tempted to make a move for Riccardo Montolivo.

The Fiorentina midfielder is out of contract in the summer, which means that Arsenal could get him free of charge if they wish.

Montolivo has been a shining light on an otherwise very disappointing Fiorentina team this season, and if Arsenal can beat out AC Milan, they will get a very good value in the dynamic Italian.

Junior Hoilett

Junior Hoilett is one of the rising stars of the Premier League this season after turning in a number of inspirational performances for a lackluster Blackburn Rovers team in danger of relegation.

The Canadian is second on his team in goals and first in assists. In a squad usually bereft of ideas or creativity, Hoilett is usually the man there to step up and inject that bit of quality into the attack.

The scorer of three goals in his last two matches has appropriately been linked with Arsenal recently, and Hoilett would add both depth and quality to a corps of wingers that, when someone gets injured, leaves only a couple players who are automatically drafted into the Starting XI.

Nicklas Bendtner to Anywhere

"One of the best strikers in the world," Nicklas Bendtner, has not lived up to how good his massive ego tells him he is this season at Sunderland.

With some Dutch guy doing pretty well at striker for Arsenal, the Dane is not likely to be able to prove this declaration for his parent club.

It is therefore extremely likely that Bendtner will be moved out of North London at the end of this season and leave a club that he does not want to be at and certainly does not want him around anymore.

He still has some value, so several clubs will probably be interested in his services. Perhaps he might move to a club that could pay him wages consistent with his ego.

Jan Vertonghen

The transfer of Ajax captain Jan Vertonghen is both one of the likeliest and best-reasoned transfers that Arsenal could make this summer.

Vertonghen is extremely versatile, with the ability to play left back, defensive midfielder or his native center-back position. He is also friends with Thomas Vermaelen, which is a very persuasive factor in choosing between multiple suitors.

The Belgian international has already expressed interest in joining Arsenal, and Vertonghen would be a fantastic addition to a team that could really use some quality defensive depth—and at a great value, too.

Olivier Giroud

Incredibly, French minnows Montpelier are second in Ligue 1, trailing nuveau-riche Paris Saint-Germain by only two points.

The main reason why La Paillade have been over-performing is their striking sensation Olivier Giroud, who leads his team in assists and leads all of the league in goals with 17.

Arsenal have long been mentioned as a possible destination for the striker due to Arsene Wenger's notorious affinity for French players and the Gunners' need to add a quality strike partner to take some of the pressure off of Robin van Persie.

If Giroud wants to make the move to a bigger club this summer, Arsenal would likely be at the top of the queue.

Carlos Vela to Real Sociedad

One gets the sense that Carlos Vela could have done so much more at Arsenal if he had just been given more of a chance.

But Arsene Wenger apparently does not believe that the little Mexican has a future at the club, as he sent Vela to Spain once again, instead of using him to shore up strikeforce that has little depth.

After seeing success and Real Sociedad that he has not experienced in his career, Vela understandably wishes to stay at the club rather than return to Arsenal in the summer.

Even if it is not to Sociedad specifically, all signs point to the latter wish being fulfilled.

Eden Hazard

Ludicrous you say?

Actually, it is all too possible.

Though he he might command a tremendous fee, the Belgian wunderkind has a greater chance of coming to Arsenal than you might initially think.

He has already said that he would prefer a move to the Premier League, and Arsene Wenger's guidance would be invaluable to the developing youngster.

And, of course, there is the lure of fellow Belgian Thomas Vermaelen and, potentially, Jan Vertonghen.

Wenger himself has already stated his admiration for Hazard:

"

I like him a lot, and for several reasons. His creativity, his ability to unbalance the opposition, his vision and his consummate art of giving the final ball make him a player coveted by many.

"

Andrei Arshavin to Anywhere

Despite reports that he is improving during his loan spell with Zenit St. Petersburg, Andrei Arshavin's future at Arsenal looks bleaker with every appearance that Gervinho and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain make.

Already on the wrong side of 30, Arshavin has not shown anything at all this season to merit selection over either of the two aforementioned fast, dynamic wingers.

And with more attacking players probably in Arsene Wenger's summer plans, there seems little reason to keep a player who contributes only on the few occasions when he feels like it.

Arsenal would be well-advised to get the biggest possible fee for Arshavin, whether it comes from Zenit or any other club, and move on with a new generation of attackers.

Robin van Persie to Stay

While this is not technically a "transfer," it is just as, if not more relevant than any other move Arsenal might make this summer.

A few weeks ago, this prediction would have looked fanciful, at best. But now, on the back of six consecutive League victories and an amazing jump into third place, people aren't wringing their hands anymore.

Yes, nearly every big club on the planet will be courting him to some degree. And Arsenal are notoriously frugal with player contracts, for better or worse.

But van Persie truly loves the club which he captains. He has reinstated an old Arsenal policy of saluting the fans at every home match, and the passion and commitment he shows to the cause shows this unflinching loyalty.

If Arsenal finish out of the top four, I would be ready to rescind my prediction, but with the way things are moving in the League, that looks increasingly unlikely.

Lukas Podolski

When asked today about the progress of the Lukas Podolski, Arsene Wenger said that "it could happen soon, it could happen later, I don't know."

If that is not a clear indication that a deal is in the works for the German striker, I am not sure what would be. When pressed on the timing of Podolski's arrival, Wenger went on to say that he hopes to not repeat the last minute timing of last summer's transfers.

This information is fairly consistent with reports that have been prevalent for weeks, stating that the deal is done and a medical had already been passed.

While negotiations to not appear to be that close to completeness, Wenger's uncharacteristic forthrightness certainly shows that Arsenal want to get a deal done and are working towards meeting that objective.

Finally, Arsenal will be able to acquire a top-class player who can take the team to the next level and do it early in the transfer window, rather than leaving it late and coming away with scraps.

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