Arsenal Transfer News: Huge Mario Suarez Rumour Emerges, William Carvalho Latest

Atletico Madrid's Mario Suarez is reportedly the man who could add some much-needed steel to the base of the Arsenal midfield, with Spanish journalist Eduardo Inda reporting on El Chringuito (h/t 101 Great Goals) that the midfielder is set for a January switch to the Emirates.

While the Londoners are currently in a fine run of form, if they’re to make a deep run in the Champions League and retain their FA Cup trophy, some reinforcements are vital in the aforementioned spot in the midfield, and it’s something Arsene Wenger recently touched upon himself, per Chisanga Malata of the Daily Star:

"

There is a need there [to buy], but the right opportunity has to come up.

To buy [just for the sake] to buy is not what we want to do, but if the right opportunity comes up, we will do it.

If you look at the number of games some players played and the injuries we have with [Jack] Wilshere, [Aaron] Ramsey and [Mikel] Arteta, we're a bit short at the moment in midfield.

"

Julian Finney/Getty Images

One man the Gunners have also been linked with to add some steel to that area is Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, per James Dickenson of the Express, and Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe tells us why he'd be a marvellous addition:

Atletico Madrid’s Suarez has emerged as another potential option, with Indo claiming that the midfield anchor is poised for a move to the Premier League in January. Here’s a look at what Arsenal would potentially be getting from the 27-year-old:

Suarez is a player who has scarcely featured for the Spanish champions this season, with Gabi and Tiago locking down berths in the middle of the park for Diego Simeone’s team. But he’s a tenacious midfielder who would add a much-needed physicality to this Arsenal team, not to mention another cool and astute influence on the ball.

The Spaniard was vital to Atletico’s stellar 2013/14 season, and while his four starts this season in the Champions League would make him ineligible to feature for the Gunners in Europe, he’s a player who could lend a massive defensive hand in the Premier League and other domestic matches.

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

Suarez isn’t quite of the top bracket however, and the most ambitious of Gunners fans wouldn’t be sated by what would potentially be a fine but understated addition. Indeed, club scout Gilles Grimandi has claimed the club will be showing more ambition as they vie for Champions League glory, per L'Equipe (h/t Neil McLeman of the Mirror):

"

We have suffered in several positions through injuries but we are through to the knockout stages of the Champions League for the 17th time and we have already overcome some very complicated moments.

That is thanks to stability. Now we have to be very ambitious. And for that reason the knockout tie against Monaco is very important for us.

"

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Prodigious Portuguese international William Carvalho is a man who would potentially stir excitement at the Emirates a little more. According to Malata’s aforementioned piece, the Gunners are finalising a deal, with reports in Portugal claiming that a £25.5 million bid will be lodged for the 22-year-old.

Here’s a look at why he’s so highly rated:

Carvalho isn’t quite as refined as Suarez, but he has the potential to eventually be a better player. Physically, the Sporting man has all the attributes to be a top-class Premier League holding midfielder, but he remains a little erratic in the tackle and a player who can still improve a lot in his work on the ball. 

As noted here by Jeff Borzello of ESPN, Carvalho failed to make an impression recently against Chelsea in the Champions League:

Like Suarez, that also means the player would be unable to lend a hand to Arsenal’s European commitments.

Julian Finney/Getty Images

To judge the youngster on those displays alone would be naive, though. Carvalho is an excellent talent, and while he’s nowhere near the finished article yet, stylistically he has all the requisite qualities to make a big difference for this Arsenal team in the long term, even if the Emirates faithful may have to show some patience during his development.

The main stumbling block when it comes to this deal is surely the money he would cost and Wenger’s previous patent for being a little stingy midseason. With that factor in mind, the Spaniard looks to be the most likely short-term solution to Arsenal’s problems, but if the Gunners have eyes for major honours, they may have to set the bar a little higher.