Arsenal Transfer Rumours: Gunners Chasing Real Madrid Trio and More Buzz

The transfer window has been open all summer. The Gunners have played three games, winning two and losing the Premier League opener to Aston Villa. Players such as Roberto Soldado, Paulinho, Jesus Navas, Stevan Jovetic and Andre Schurrle have been signed by Premier League contenders.

And Yaya Sanogo remains Arsenal's only signing, on a free transfer. 

But the rumours for the Gunners keep on pouring in, and some of them are truly intriguing. In the latest bit of big-name buzz, Arsenal are supposedly in the market for a Real Madrid trio that would change the face of the club. 

From John Cross of the Mirror:

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Karim Benzema HAS been offered to Arsenal as part of a sensational shake-up at Real Madrid.

Benzema, Angel Di Maria and Mesut Ozil are all surplus to requirements at Real Madrid as the Spanish giants look to fund both a world-record deal for Spurs' Gareth Bale and a £42 million bid for Luis Suarez of Liverpool.

It is understood the Gunners are interested in ALL three Real players. However, as revealed by the Mirror, Benzema is top of their wanted list because the signing of a world-class striker remains their No. 1 priority.

France international Benzema, 25, does not want to leave Madrid though, and his agent Karim Djaziri has even claimed he is not interested in a move to Arsenal.

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Let's keep it real—there's no way Arsenal will land all three. Heck, it seems like a long shot that the Gunners could bring in one. 

Given team needs, Benzema would be the best fit, as he would upgrade Olivier Giroud at striker. Yes, he's inconsistent, but he also has worlds of talent and would fit in well tactically with Arsenal's system. 

Ozil is the best player of the bunch, and sliding him in at the No. 10—between Santi Cazorla and Theo Walcott—would give Arsenal one of, if not the best, attacking midfields in the Premier League. The sheer beauty of Arsenal's play with Ozil, Cazorla and Jack Wilshere sharing the pitch would be something to behold. 

Of course, Di Maria is the most likely to be brought aboard. Bale will likely take up his spot on the right wing, while Real Madrid will have a surplus of attacking midfielders and wide players on the squad, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Ozil, Isco, Kaka and presumably Bale all available. 

Landing Di Maria would be an excellent move, though it wouldn't address needs at striker or defensive midfielder. Landing two of these three would make the summer a success, while landing all three would be a dream, and just pinch yourself because it isn't real, okay?

At least we know these three would meet the "quality" needed to play for Arsenal, eh Arsene Wenger?

Moving on. 

The saga over Yohan Cabaye goes on, with Arsenal and Newcastle seemingly far apart in the player's valuation while the talented midfielder subtly goes about trying to push a move through. 

From Louise Taylor of The Guardian:

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It seems he has regarded Alan Pardew's team as a mere stepping stone from Lille to a bigger club. Somewhere like Arsenal. His difficulty is that Arsène Wenger seems reluctant to pay more than £12m, while Newcastle want £20m, and he has three years left on his contract.

Attempting to push through the move, Cabaye has effectively gone on strike. While careful to avoid stating explicitly that he will not play, he has forced Pardew to amend provisional team sheets for the defeat at Manchester City on 19 August and Saturday's draw with West Ham by explaining Arsenal's bid had traumatised him psychologically, so he was incapable of fulfilling his midfield duties.

"

It seems as though this move will eventually happen, probably for something in the £15m range, and it would be a nice addition for a depleted Gunners midfield. Though Cabaye isn't the defensive midfielder Arsenal really need, he would be nice cover for the injured Mikel Arteta and is a very good all-around player.

Of course, on a day when Geoffrey Kondogbia seems poised to sign with Monaco, the thought of landing Cabaye may not be much a consolation for Gooners. 

From Graeme Bailey of Sky Sports:

Finally, the Gunners appear to be in the hunt for 20-year-old winger Todor Nedelev, per Simon Jones of the Daily Mail:

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Arsenal have joined Tottenham in the chase for Bulgaria winger Todor Nedelev. 

The 20-year-old impressed Tottenham scouts and scored for Botev Plovdiv in their 3-2 win over Slavia Sofia on Sunday. 

However, Arsenal were also present and are weighing up a rival £3m bid.

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He could join Sanogo in the "Okay, maybe we'll be excited about this in a year or two" department. 

For now, talk of Benzema, Ozil and Di Maria will consume the minds of Gooners, much as talk of Suarez once did this summer. 

The end of the transfer window draws near. When will Arsenal finally strike and improve this side? 

Tick, tock.