Arsenal Transfer Rumours: Gunners Must Stay Focused in Xherdan Shaqiri Race

Arsenal are reportedly leading the race for Bayern Munich's Xherdan Shaqiri, and despite the Gunners' clear defensive needs going into the January transfer window, Arsene Wenger can't pass up the chance to sign the talented winger.

Swiss newspaper Blick (h/t Daily Star's Chisanga Malata) claim the Gunners will activate Shaqiri's buyout clause, which is rumoured to be around £10 million, leaving a host of other interested clubs like Liverpool and Manchester United in their wake.

Bayern manager Pep Guardiola previously stated the Swiss international won't be leaving the club in January, as shared by Sky Sports Pete O'Rourke:

The Spaniard may not be willing to let Shaqiri leave, but if the Gunners—or any other team—activate his buyout clause, then Guardiola would be powerless to stop a potential transfer. And judging by the 23-year-old's lack of playing time, it's doubtful he'd turn down the chance to move to the Premier League.

According to WhoScored.com, Shaqiri has started just three Bundesliga matches all season, and he didn't even make the bench for the Bavarians' win over Mainz on Friday, per Sergi Dominguez:

The forward has been very vocal regarding his lack of matches, and honorary club president Franz Beckenbauer knows he is free to leave in January, as reported by the Daily Mail's Nicholas Godden:

''Bayern have already sent out a signal and indicated to him that he can probably go in the winter break, when he wants,'' Beckenbauer told German channel Sport1.

''I think it's a shame, because he is a great talent,'' the 69-year-old added.

"Shaqiri revealed earlier in the season that Liverpool tried to sign him in the summer, but Bayern blocked any potential deal from materialising," noted Godden.

''Liverpool made a bid for me before the World Cup, but Bayern put their foot down and told me, 'We’re not going to sell you,''' said Shaqiri.

The Gunners will enter the January window with clear needs on the defensive side of the ball, particularly depth in the central areas and a lack of physical presence just in front of the back four. Bleacher Report's Ryan Bailey and Janusz Michallik were clear in their assessment ahead of the market opening:

Wenger will likely invest most of the club's transfer funds into those areas—and he should. Arsenal don't need extra attacking talent, and a move for someone like Shaqiri would be a luxury at this point.

It's still a move the French manager needs to make, however. Shaqiri is a special talent, and if the Gunners can truly pry him loose for a fee in the vicinity of £10 million, he would represent tremendous value.

Like summer signing Alexis Sanchez, he's the type of versatile winger/forward with a knack for scoring goals. His numbers are skewed by the fact that he doesn't play regular minutes, but per WhoScored, he still had six Bundesliga goals in just 10 starts last season.

He was phenomenal leading the Swiss attack during the 2014 World Cup, scoring a hattrick against Honduras. Fans will likely remember the first of his goals:

Pairing Shaqiri with Sanchez would give Arsenal the kind of dynamic, high-octane attacking game just behind the striker that would be a nightmare to defend for any Premier League team. Both can score, both have pace and both are built like a tank.

Like Shaqiri, Sanchez was deemed expendable by his previous club—the Chilean came from Barcelona—because he wasn't a perfect fit for their system. Gooners couldn't be happier that Wenger pulled the trigger on that deal, and while Shaqiri isn't the unique talent the Chilean is, he still would have a tremendous impact on this team.

Yes, the Gunners need defence first and foremost. But sometimes players become available who are simply too good not to sign. Shaqiri for less than £15 million would be such a deal, and it's one Wenger has to make if it becomes a possibility in January.

Follow @ReverschPass