Arsenal Transfer News: Edinson Cavani Hint Dropped, Chris Smalling Targeted

Arsene Wenger may have wished he heeded the advice of many and signed more players during the summer transfer window. Less than a month since the deadline arrived, the Arsenal boss has confirmed he likes Edinson Cavani "a lot," alongside reports he is ready to make another move to sign Chris Smalling from Manchester United.

Wenger grabbed himself an intriguing deadline-day deal when Danny Welbeck exchanged Old Trafford for the Emirates at the beginning of the month, but comments made to French television station TFI hint the boss could be looking to further bolster his attacking options.

Get French Football provided a translation of Wenger's comments (h/t 101 Great Goals), which suggest a move away from Paris Saint-Germain is smart for Cavani:

"

I like this player [Cavani] a lot, I like his spirit a lot, but a feel like he is playing with his hand on the brakes. I have the impression that he is not expressing himself entirely. It is true that at the same time, [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic has taken an important place in this PSG team by all accounts, there is little space for another striker around him.

"

Cavani has been forced to play wide of his favoured centre-forward role for much of his PSG career. Zlatan Ibrahimovic remains a prolific goalscorer at the Parc des Princes—having netted 61 in his last 71 Ligue 1 matches for the French champions, per WhoScored.com—and is undroppable when fit.

Laurent Blanc is unlikely to try two strikers when his team relies heavily on pace from wide and a transitional midfield.

As such, Cavani is never far from being in the shop window.

Nick Miller of The Guardian indicates Arsenal are "set to make a move" for the player in January, perhaps raising questions over the long-term future of Olivier Giroud. Atletico Madrid were said to be among those interested in the hit-and-miss Frenchman, reported by the Mirror, and Giroud would likely raise greater cash than Yaya Sanogo.

Cavani scored during the 1-1 draw with Lyon but was still sacrificed, as noted by football writer Jonathan Johnson:

Wenger rescued Welbeck from a similar situation at United. Cavani would offer comparable industry to the Englishman and could be extremely useful in defensive situations for the Gunners. 

The manager's decision to bring in Welbeck also acts as a precedent to signing United stars—something that was nigh on impossible during Sir Alex Ferguson's reign—meaning Smalling could be brought in to halt Arsenal's defensive problems.

Rob Draper of the Daily Mail reports that Wenger "rates the central defender" and that Arsenal "will make their move" if Smalling becomes surplus to requirements after Christmas. Louis van Gaal will certainly need the inconsistent player until January, but the Red Devils boss may be ready to cash in when he can target defensive additions of his own.

Alastair Grant/Associated Press

Van Gaal's failure to do this during the summer has extended Smalling's United career. Draper suggests the Dutchman was unwilling to include the former Fulham youngster in a deal to sign Thomas Vermaelen from the Gunners. Vermaelen eventually left for Barcelona and is someone both Premier League clubs will wish they managed to grasp ahead of the season.

Wenger is the kind of manager who can transform the career of under-performing players. Cavani would be a star attraction at the Emirates, while Smalling has the potential to add quality to the north London side's squad.

It's entirely possible the defender will become unwanted at United, especially if Van Gaal is intent on spending lavishly once the winter window opens.