Arsenal Transfer News: Paulo Dybala Rumours Show Gunners Priorities Off Target

All Arsenal want for Christmas—and several Christmases prior to this year's—is defensive reinforcements, but a big-money bid for Palermo's Paulo Dybala would see Arsene Wenger once again misdirect January funds.

It's no new storyline for Gunners fans to hear that their manager may not bring in those assets most required, but according to the Daily Star's Colin Harvey, a £31.4 million offer has already been made for Dybala.

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The article goes on to cite Argentinian newspaper Clarin in reporting Borussia Dortmund have since surged into the lead for Dybala's signature, however, with a £37.7 million bid of their own.

It could be a blessing in disguise for Arsenal, who despite not being as wealthy in striking resources as some of their Premier League peers, need a new centre-back and central midfield recruits above all else. Spanish writer Sergi Dominguez agrees:

Of course, speculation surrounding Dybala doesn't rule out the club's chances of also adding a defender, but with midseason funds likely to be slight at the Emirates, the club could do with aiming their stock toward the back line.

Having sold Thomas Vermaelen to Barcelona over the summer and having to field his full-backs in the centre of defence during Laurent Koscielny's absence, even Wenger has admitted the need for recruits in defence, per the Telegraph's Jason Burt:

“If we find one we will do it. Without any doubt. If we find the right player we will do it.”

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Again, it's nothing that hasn't been heard before, with Wenger alluding to his sit-and-wait strategy in searching for the ideal man. However, if rumours regarding Dybala are true, then one has to ask why the Gunners chief is so quick to spend in areas that don't need new faces quite as much.

Bleacher Report's Ryan Bailey recently quizzed former United States international Janusz Michallik on which signings would make for an ideal January window in north London. Defence was unsurprisingly the highlighted area:

With Olivier Giroud out injured, summer signing Danny Welbeck did his best to tide Arsenal over in font of goal, but it was actually Alexis Sanchez who starred most prominently in Wenger's attack.

Now that Giroud is back, however, Wenger has his main foundation back on the front line, with the French international having bagged four goals in six games since making his return to fitness.

At present, Yaya Sanogo and Joel Campbell look like peripheral figures on the sidelines, who are barely used despite the amount of hype that has surrounded both youngsters at different points in their careers.

Granted, Dybala is a gifted asset, but to devote such huge funds this winter would be a prime example of Arsenal once again ignoring their primary concerns. What's more, Football Italia's Lorenzo Vicini reports Palermo may yet agree an extension with their forward:

Meanwhile, in the Gunners' crisis area, Per Mertesacker has been forced to partner Nacho Monreal, Calum Chambers and Mathieu Debuchy in central defence.

The striking resources in north London may not be filled to the brim with stars, but at least Wenger's system hasn't called for players to come out of position just to fill the attacking roles.

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With Wenger's place in the Gunners hot seat under as much scrutiny as ever, addressing the squad's real issues this winter would be a major step in convincing fans he's still the man for the job.

Dybala would be a great signing under any other circumstances, but with such glaring problems going unsatisfied, his arrival would be little more than papering over the all too evident cracks.