Arsenal Transfer Rumours: Latest Buzz on Asier Illarramendi and Yaya Sanogo

Arsenal certainly looks like they are embarking on a busy summer. Rumors about possible targets have been flying left and right.

While Gonzalo Higuain to Arsenal is hogging the bulk of the attention (the Daily Mail reports that Higuain will make the switch this summer), he certainly isn't the only possible future Gunner out there. 

There are two young players connected to Arsenal, and I think both would be a nice fit and quality additions.

Asier Illarramendi

We'll start with Spain's Asier Illarramendi. He isn't the most well-known player, but he is a scintillating talent and could be on his way to Arsenal. This comes to us from Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail:

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Meanwhile, The Gunners are leading the chase for Spain Under-21 international Asier Illarramendi.

The £10 million-rated Real Sociedad defensive midfielder has been outstanding all season and has attracted attention from Real Madrid.

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This is a shrewd target for Arsenal. The 23-year-old is beginning to come into his own, and he is a nice fit for the Gunners.

He is a fantastic holding midfielder. He is a good tackler, has a knack for interceptions and is a quality passer. He also is fairly cheap. This would allow the Gunners to fill a hole while still having financial flexibility to make other additions. And we all know this will appeal to the fiscally minded Arsene Wenger. 

Illarramendi made 32 starts for Real Sociedad this season and earned a solid 7.18 rating at Who Scored. He's also picked up valuable experience with Spain's U-21 team.

Yaya Sanogo

This acquisition could happen in a hurry. Check out this quote from Sanogo to France Football, which comes to us via ESPN UK: 

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Gilles Grimandi [Arsenal scout] came to see me from time to time at Auxerre too. One day he called me for a meeting in a Paris hotel and Arsene Wenger was there. I was very impressed. Wenger told me I would get opportunities and reassured me about my injury. He told me he had followed me for years. That meeting was very important and today I am an Arsenal player.

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Then there was a report from John Cross of Mirror Football, stating this could happen in the next few days.  

So, not only does it appear that Sanogo is headed toward Arsenal, but that he could be headed to the first team. Sanogo is just 20 years old, and there will be some growing pains, but there is no denying his talent. 

He is an explosive forward with a fantastic first touch. Sanogo is physically gifted. He has a nice mix of size and speed. He will draw comparisons to Aston Villa’s Christian Benteke. 

If there is one concern with Sanogo, it is with injuries. He has had a hard time staying healthy. While this could lead to frustration while he sits inactive, his upside makes that risk well worth it.