Arsenal Transfer Talk: Chances Gunners Nab Their 5 Biggest Targets

With the Premier League done and dusted for another year and only the UEFA Champions League final remaining for the season, our attention quickly shifts to the transfer period that lies ahead.

Arsenal finished in third position, meaning that Champions League qualification is assured for next year and they'll want to use the summer transfer window to increase their chances at domestic and international success next year.

Arsene Wenger has already hinted that the transfer window might not be as frantic for Arsenal this year, with the club likely to adopt a more measured and considered approach.

Still, they'll no doubt have their targets in mind and here are the chances of who they'll nab in the transfer window and why.

Long Shot: Younes Belhanda (Montpellier)

Currently playing for French side Montpellier, Younes Belhanda has already been linked to Arsenal this summer after a strong showing at the Africans Cup for Morocco.

Belhanda currently plays as an attacking midfielder, but grew up as a defender—giving him not only strong attacking but defence skills also. He would be an excellent fit in Arsene Wenger's mind, who loves good attacking options without sacrificing any assurance at the back.

Having said that, it's highly unlikely that Belhanda finds himself at the Emirates next year. Not only are Manchester City rumoured to be highly interested, he's simply not the first player that Arsenal need and would only come as an additional bonus once more sought after targets were acquired.

Worth a Go: Yann M'Vila (Rennes)

According to reports, Arsenal are close to signing a deal with Rennes midfielder Yann M'Vila worth to be in the vicinity of £17.7 million. And I'm not suggesting for a moment that the deal won't go through; I'm simply stating that there are better avenues to pursue first.

Avenues that don't cost so much money.

The transfer itself would be a club record, and considering that Arsenal have already racked up £11 million securing German striker Lukas Podolski, the Gunners now face a tough task to deal with the wage burden and costs.

If M'Vila is going to cost any more than £15 million, then I think it's a little too much. His excitable and unpredictable play will excite the Gunners, but at what cost.

We'll have to wait and see whether the transfer goes through or not after the Champions League final, but I think that this is a deal that Arsenal should be holding on currently, rather than going all in.

Plan C: Eden Hazard (Lille)

If you're going to spend the money, at least get the best option available to you at the time—Lille midfielder Eden Hazard, who would most likely cost almost double that of M'Vila.

Back in February, Arsene Wenger said of Hazard:

"

“I like Eden Hazard a lot, and for many reasons. His creative ability, his talent for unbalancing opponents, his vision of the game and his consummate skill in making the final pass all make him an in-demand player. Hazard has what it takes to play for a top-level club, and Arsenal are a top-level club..."

"

I think Hazard is still a long-shot to an extent, but considering the money that Arsenal are considering spending on M'Vila, then it might not be out of the equation.

"

 

"

The Backup Option: Christian Eriksen (Ajax)

For me, Christian Eriksen is the best midfield option for Wenger in the transfer window and should be pursued actively by the Gunners. He'll bring the same skills to the table of Eden Hazard but for half the price and will do so for many more years.

After winning Dutch and Danish Young Player of the Year in 2011, Eriksen has no doubt proven himself as one of the top young midfielders in the world and if he were to venture to the Emirates, would fit in perfectly with Arsene Wenger's style of play.

Money could well be an issue for the Gunners—especially considering the amount they spent securing Podolski—thus making Eriksen the best backup option for Arsenal to try to secure.

Most Likely Target: Junior Hoilett (Blackburn)

As B/R's Jesse Reed suggests, Junior Hoilett would be the smartest of all pickups for Arsenal this transfer window because it would give their attack another dimension to compete with the top clubs in Europe.

Robin van Persie was the top striker in the Premier League, so imagine what Arsenal could do with a strong man either behind him or alongside him up front. At just 21, Hoilett would mature and grow under Wenger and would have the ultimate mentor up front with him in van Persie.

The Guardian is reporting that Arsenal are leading the chase for the Blackburn striker and it would be their smartest decision to pursue him actively until he signs with the Gunners. He would not be too expensive, and would still allow for purchases to be made in midfield if need be.

Throw into that mix the promise of playing Champions League football and remaining in the top class for as long as he would like, and Arsenal is just as appealing to Hoilett as he is to them.

Overall, I say they sign Hoilett on May 20th and sign M'Vila on May 21st.

I believe that Eriksen is the better option for the Gunners considering cost and ability, but that's just my opinion. I would love to hear yours as to who Arsenal should sign in the summer transfer window and what their chances of securing their respective signatures actually are.

Follow Dan on Twitter: Follow @dantalintyre