Arsenal Transfer News: Aymeric Laporte Targeted, Latest Pedro Rumours

The January transfer window will open in a little over two months, and according to the latest reports, manager Arsene Wenger and Arsenal have identified their two top targets to help their bid for the Premier League title.

Athletic Bilbao's Aymeric Laporte tops the list of defensive reinforcements, as reported by the London Evening Standard's Tom Collomosse, and given the Gunners' lack of defensive depth, the 20-year-old should be the team's No. 1 priority.

The French youngster exploded onto the La Liga scene in 2013-14 and has continued right where he left off this season, establishing himself as one of the best young centre-backs in the world.

Laporte has played every minute of Bilbao's Champions League campaign so far, per WhoScored.com, and the website currently ranks him as the club's second-best player behind midfielder/forward Iker Muniain.

He has the size and vision you want in a top-class defender, and he's remarkably comfortable with the ball at his feet. His no-nonsense approach fits manager Ernesto Valverde's physical style of play although the youngster still needs to learn when to tone it down a bit.

Former manager Marcelo Bielsa remains a big fan of Laporte, as shared by Bleacher Report UK's Andrew Gibney:

Spanish football expert Sergi Dominguez also foresees big things for the 20-year-old:

Laporte is one of the favourites to win this year's Golden Boy award, via the Daily Express' Ben Jefferson, further proof of his excellent performances and sky-high potential.

Prying Laporte away from Bilbao in January could be tricky, but the team's current struggles in La Liga could prove decisive.

Top stars like Fernando Llorente and Ander Herrera have left the Basque club in recent years, and their strict transfer policy of only signing Basque players has seen Bilbao unable to replace their production on the pitch.

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

As a result, the team finds itself near the bottom of the La Liga standings, nowhere near the European slots where Bilbao were hoping to finish. If the situation doesn't improve between now and January, Laporte could decide he's seen enough and demand a move to a bigger club.

The Frenchman will be cup-tied to Athletic, so he wouldn't be available for selection on the European stage.

Spanish website Fichajes (h/t Metro) claims Wenger is ready to open discussions with Barcelona over a £25 million January deal for Spain international Pedro, one of the Blaugrana's longtime contributors out wide.

The 27-year-old has seen his playing time diminish under new boss Luis Enrique, with just five starts in La Liga so far, per WhoScored.com.

Blessed with pace, vision and the passing ability Barcelona's attacking philosophy is famous for, Pedro has the versatility to line up in any attacking position in midfield, both on the wings and behind the striker.

Metro claim he has already handed in a transfer request, opening the door for a potential January move. Things will be complicated by Barcelona's transfer ban, however, as the Blaugrana won't have the ability to sign a replacement in 2015.

A £25 million valuation for a fringe player requesting a transfer is steep, particularly giving Wenger's aversion to making midseason deals and the fact the Gunners don't have a clear need in the attacking positions.

The return of Theo Walcott will give Wenger another offensive piece to work with, and promising youngster Joel Campbell also provides cover in case of another injury.

Arsenal could attempt to hold out for a lower transfer fee, but the Catalans will be in no rush to sell due to the ban. Unless Pedro holds out and refuses to play for Barcelona until his transfer is complete, it's hard to see the two clubs finding a compromise that suits all parties.

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