Arsenal Transfer Rumours: 4 Attainable Players on Arsene Wenger's Radar

With no club football to occupy us during these summer months, silly season has taken hold of some of the more hopeful fans out there.

Of course, some rumors that pop up during the offseason will eventually materialize, but the vast majority are utter nonsense. Often, one wakes up in a cold sweat on September 1 and wonders how one could have ever been coaxed into believing such sensational stories were true.

So let's focus on those transfer rumors that, while by definition are hopeful, actually have some chance of bearing fruit.

Yaya Sanogo

This one is the most likely of all because, according to Sanogo, the deal is done.

While speaking about his admiration for Arsene Wenger and enthusiasm about Arsenal to France Football (as reported by ESPN FC), he said, "Today I am an Arsenal player."

The Frenchman certainly doesn't equivocate. Perhaps if injuries had not halted his progress so much during the last few years, Sanogo's name would be better known. Regardless, he seems to be very close to an appearance on the official website and an introductory photo shoot.

Julio Cesar

When Queens Park Rangers were officially relegated toward the end of last season, Cesar's departure was sealed, along with those of several of his soon-to-be ex-teammates.

There is just simply no way that a player of his quality—and desire to keep playing for Brazil, with the World Cup inching ever closer—will content himself with toiling in the Championship for an entire year, at least.

That, of course, allows the vultures to swoop in and pluck one of the best players off of a mostly dismal team.

Though QPR will likely want to recoup some of Cesar's wages in his transfer fee and he will probably not be willing to take a significant pay cut, he will certainly sell for below what the market would otherwise dictate.

As Arsenal fans are well aware at this point, that sets Arsene Wenger's alarm bells ringing.

Clement Grenier

Rising Lyon star Clement Grenier is not officially an Arsenal player, but his words would indicate that a deal is all but completed.

From Fox Sports, via Sky Sports:

"

I have more or less made a decision about which club I want to join. I have made the choice for sporting reasons above all. Arsenal? It could well be them. There would be competition for places, but you get that at all big clubs and it does not stop me making my decision.

"

Though he is just 22 years old, Grenier has accrued 75 appearances in Ligue 1 for Lyon, and Didier Deschamps has played him for France on five separate occasions.

While he is clearly an emerging talent, Arsenal's wealth of options in attacking midfield might make it difficult for Arsene Wenger to give everyone sufficient playing time.

Gonzalo Higuain

Higuain would be the most expensive player on this list, but Arsenal fans might very well be able to see him at the Emirates Stadium in September.

I cited BBC journalist David Ornstein in my piece yesterday, and I will do so again:

"

Arsenal priority a top cf. Higuain 1st choice & keen. #Afc also want 1 holding + 1 attacking mdf. No df unless any leave. Not in for Rooney.

"

"— David Ornstein (@bbcsport_david) June 16, 2013"

If Arsenal want to sign the truly world-class caliber players that will hoist them to a title, they will have to be content with smashing their transfer record, which is about £15 million. Higuain, an extremely clinical and versatile striker, would certainly be worth an additional £10 million or so.

Follow @charliemelman