Arsenal Transfer News: Big-Money Deals Eyed by Gunners in Latest January Rumours

Arsenal will face a real battle if they’re to land Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin in the January window, with reports suggesting that the Frenchman is also a major target for Manchester United.

According to Steve Stammers of The Mirror, the Red Devils see Schneiderlin as a long-term replacement for Michael Carrick and are willing to pay the £27 million valuation of the midfielder. Bleacher Report’s Sam Tighe takes a look at why the 25-year-old would be worth that kind of sizeable investment:

For Arsenal, United’s interest would be a major concern. The Red Devils—like the Gunners—are also in stark need of a physical presence at the base of their midfield and given Schneiderlin’s acquaintance with the robust nature of English football, he fits the bill in every sense. Louis van Gaal will also be a lot more willing to splash the cash midseason than his Arsenal counterpart, too, you suspect.

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As we can see here courtesy of Squawka Football, Schneiderlin is a multi-faceted talent:

Saints kept hold of their star midfielder this summer despite cashing in on a host of key players, but as noted by former United defender Gary Neville earlier this season, the South Coast club will surely face a sterner test of their resolve to keep hold of him midseason after some glittering displays, per James Dickenson of the Express:

"

If he comes out they drop. They are going to get absolutely bombarded in January.

Liverpool will look at him, Arsenal will look at him, United are looking at holding midfield players. Tottenham, with [Mauricio] Pochettino (who used to manage Schneiderlin at Southampton).

There’s four clubs I’ve named that all might fancy Schneiderlin. I think he’s one of the best performing midfield players in the league.

"

Perhaps that’s why in Stammers’ piece it is also noted that Wenger is interested in the Frenchman’s midfield partner Victor Wanyama. But truth be told, should the Gunners miss out on Schneiderlin at the expense of another club in January, it’s difficult to see Southampton selling yet another vital midfield man.

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If that does transpire, then perhaps Arsene Wenger will look to address other areas of his lopsided squad. And according to Carl Eldridge and Harry Pratt of the Daily Star, concerns over goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny will see the manager step up his pursuit of Chelsea’s Petr Cech, with a £7 million bid reportedly set to be launched.

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Szczesny was at fault for both of Southampton’s goals in a 2-0 defeat for the Gunners in their last outing and while there have been some promising displays from the Polish international this season, he’s often an erratic presence between the sticks. Mark Pougatch of the BBC remains unconvinced by the 24-year-old:

At this juncture, it’s difficult to see Chelsea selling Cech, though. The legendary goalkeeper may have fallen behind Thibaut Courtois in the pecking order at Stamford Bridge, but with Sky Sports reporting that Mark Schwarzer will be allowed to join Leicester City, the Blues would have no back-up option should they cash in on the 32-year-old.

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Gunnerblog thinks that regardless of circumstances, Mourinho wouldn’t sell to Arsenal anyway:

Wenger does have some strength in depth in the goalkeeper spots, however, with David Ospina looking like an astute addition in the summer. The Colombian international should get his chance in the FA Cup match against Hull City and given Szczesny’s oscillating recent form, if Ospina plays well then the Gunners could stick with him.

At this stage of the season, Wenger shouldn’t waste his time pursuing Cech. Chelsea will be especially reluctant to sell and there are currently areas of this Arsenal squad that must be addressed far more pertinently. Nonetheless, given Cech’s undoubted calibre, the Gunners should go back for the goalkeeper in the summer window.