Arsenal Transfer News: Mats Hummels January Rumours Will Amount to Nothing

Arsenal legend Ray Parlour has urged Arsene Wenger to move for Borussia Dortmund star Mats Hummels in the January transfer window, but the rumours linking the World Cup winner with a move to the Emirates will ultimately amount to nothing.

During a recent Q&A session with SportLobster (h/t Metro's Massimo Marioni), the member of the Invincibles was asked on possible January signings. In his response, Parlour said Wenger has to aim higher than West Ham United's Winston Reid:

"

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 [Morgan] Schneiderlin if you can get him. He’s at a good age.

Lots of players are linked. [Sami] 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.

"

He was also asked about potential replacements for Wenger, stating his favourites would be Jurgen Klopp and AS Roma's Rudi Garcia.

The recent round of rumours regarding Hummels are inspired by the defender's comments after his team's loss against Werder Bremen, pushing Die Schwarzgelben further into the cellar of the Bundesliga.

As shared by the Sunday World's Kevin Palmer, the 26-year-old blasted Dortmund and their current form:

Hummels is one of the world's best and most wanted centre-backs, and Dortmund's struggles in 2014-15 have seemingly opened the door for a possible transfer move. The German side have lost plenty of top contributors throughout the years, and their current captain is widely expected to be the next in line.

Fans of the Gunners shouldn't start getting their hopes up just yet, though. The chances of Hummels actually moving to north London in January are slim.

Unlike teammate Marco Reus, whose contract reportedly has a buyout clause set to activate in the summer, per Sky Sports' Pete O'Rourke, Dortmund have no reason to sell their captain in January.

Hummels is needed to turn the season around and give Die Schwarzgelben a chance to compete in the Champions League. His value won't change all that much between now and the summer—the chances of a January sale to any team are slim.

As for potential destinations, Arsenal simply don't have the financial muscle of other clubs who may be interested, with Manchester United often named as the favourites to land Hummels, as Palmer alluded to.

With all due respect to Parlour and the Gunners' fanbase, but the days of the Invincibles are long gone. Where once Arsenal were a top-tier destination for the best players in the world, the club now sits at a level just below the truly elite sides. That's what happens when you don't win a domestic title for a decade.

Bleacher Report's Ryan Bailey and Janusz Michallik looked at the Gunners' needs going into January, and they too think Reid was a more realistic option:

In order to obtain the very best players in the world, you need one of two things: money, or the promise of immediate silverware. For instance, Arsenal gave Alexis Sanchez and Barcelona a ton of money to complete a transfer, which is why they won the sweepstakes for his signature.

The Gunners can compete with almost any club in the world when it comes to finances and stature, but at this point in time, they fall short of United and Barcelona (barring their transfer ban), the two favourites to land Hummels. United in particular have a tremendous need for a defender—and the resources to blow Arsenal's bid out of the water.

If Hummels moves in January—and that is a big if—it'll be to one of the elite teams in world football, or to a club with very deep pockets. And as of right now, the Gunners are neither.

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