Arsenal Transfer News: Ray Parlour on Mats Hummels, Morgan Schneiderlin Rumours

As a member of Arsenal's 2003-04 Invincibles, Ray Parlour's voice holds a certain weight at the Emirates Stadium, and the ex-Gunner has identified Mats Hummels and Morgan Schneiderlin as priorities for the club this January.

Speaking in a Sportlobster question and answer session (h/t Metro's Massimo Marioni), Parlour gave his input on where Arsene Wenger should be concentrating his recruitment efforts:

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Winston Reid has been mentioned, but I’m not sure he’s the quality we need. Mats Hummels would be great, a world cup winner and a good player. For midfield, I would go for Schneiderlin if you can get him.

He's at a good age. Lots of players are linked. Khedira would have been great. Players that have played in big games won't be phased by anything. Schneiderlin hasn’t, but I can see him improving.

"

Parlour speaks exclusively of targets either in defensive or anchored midfield positions, evidently seeing those as the main areas in need of strengthening this winter.

The 41-year-old was used to far greater defensive standards during his stint in north London, with the Gunners' consistency at the back being among their biggest assets during the unbeaten campaign of 2003-04.

Frank Augstein/Associated Press

However, with Laurent Koscielny's absence, the departure of Thomas Vermaelen to Barcelona and the injuries picked up by Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta and Aaron Ramsey, the club's lack of depth has been highlighted once again.

Meanwhile, Stefan Bienkowski of STV Sport has dismissed suggestions that Hummels might be "too slow" for the Premier League:

So short on central defenders has Wenger been that full-backs Nacho Monreal, Mathieu Debuchy and Calum Chambers have all seen playing time in the middle as they struggle to cope without Koscielny.

Hummels is reportedly among those growing tired of Dortmund's failings this season, the recent Champions League finalists currently level on points with Freiburg at the foot of the table. The defender was quoted by the official Bundesliga website as saying after Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Werder Bremen:

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We're trying to get our heads round this. In the last few weeks we've been okay and at home we seem to have turned a corner, but away from home, it's been anything but. It's quite unbelievable how rubbish we've been away from home.

"

Matthias Hangst/Getty Images

Wenger's side certainly wouldn't be the only club in contention to sign the centre-back if Hummels were to leave Signal Iduna Park this winter, but Parlour could be spot on identifying the World Cup winner as a vulnerable target at present.

Southampton's Schneiderlin may also be seen as a more realistic target now that the Saints have also climbed down off their perch of late, and the Telegraph's Matt Law agrees the Frenchman would be attainable:

Ronald Koeman's side recently bounced back to form with a 3-0 win over Everton, but they recently dropped from second to fifth after going their previous five games without a victory.

Parlour added in a second Sportlobster post that Wenger's team is in need of new faces through its core, an area in which Schneiderlin could be of help:

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There’s no doubt we need a centre-half. A solid defender more than a ball-player. Sol Campbell wasn’t the greatest on the ball but no-one was getting past him. He was a great defender and a force in our box. I'm sure Arsene knows we need a defender.

Whether the players are available is another matter. Down the spine of the team, defensively, we need a few more. Down the flanks I think we’re good. 2-3 players.

"

Schneiderlin will have undoubtedly been pleased that he didn't join the St. Mary's summer exodus after seeing the rise under Koeman this term, but their morale will have been deflated in light of recent form.

Should Schneiderlin now feel the time is right to depart, his wish to leave may be too strong for the Saints to fight. As ESPN FC's Jonathan Johnson points out, he also has the added bonus of not being cup-tied for European competition:

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@jsweiss311 Good question. In Ligue 1 at the moment, Ntep is the obvious choice! Veretout as well.

— Jonathan Johnson (@Jon_LeGossip) December 17, 2014"

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@jsweiss311 I imagine more than a few will be looking at Schneiderlin as well.

— Jonathan Johnson (@Jon_LeGossip) December 17, 2014"

Even with the likes of Ramsey, Wilshere and Arteta fit, the Gunners are in need of a more defensively inclined anchor among their ranks, one with a little more grace and vitality than Mathieu Flamini.

David Vincent/Associated Press

Having only recently turned 25, Schneiderlin would make for a worthwhile investment. With even more creative assets surrounding him, the Emirates Stadium could certainly prove a hospitable destination.

Ex-United States international Janusz Michallik recently discussed with Bleacher Report's Ryan Bailey which signings could give Arsenal their dream January transfer window:

Southampton have proved difficult to barter with in the past for their stars, however, and the winter makes for a particularly difficult period in which to do business.

That being said, Arsenal hero Parlour evidently thinks the Frenchman may be within reach for his former club, the north Londoners seeking a presence similar to that which Patrick Vieira once offered.