Arsenal Transfer News: Latest Loic Perrin Comments and More Rumours

If you are in any way affiliated with Arsenal, chances are you've been hurt at some point this season. The club's had more knocks than a door-to-door salesman. The roster is depleted. The supporters are annoyed. At some point, Alexis Sanchez might have to play every position, because he's obviously a superhero.

But, mercifully, the January transfer is upon us, which means the Gunners can (hopefully) bring in some reinforcements. And boy, do they need them. From a defensive unit that was left unacceptably thin in the summer to a midfield that needs some muscle, the Gunners need fresh bodies, and they need them now.

Let's take a look at some of the players they are rumoured to be interested in bringing aboard.

Loic Perrin

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The appeal of Saint-Etienne's Loic Perrin is his versatility. While he's a centre-back by default, he's also capable of playing both right-back and even the midfield in a pinch. Given Arsenal's inability to keep anybody healthy, that level of versatility is truly intriguing.

And it appears the Gunners are trying to bring that versatility to North London.

"I was contacted personally. Arsenal are interested,” Perrin told Le Progres, per James Whaling of the Mirror. “But for now, there is still no contact with Saint-Etienne."

At this point, most Gunners fans would be fine with pretty much any defending option, so long as Arsenal had a few more bodies to throw into the mix. But Perrin has been quite good for Saint-Etienne this year, earning a 7.59 average match rating from WhoScored.com in 11 Ligue 1 appearances. 

This seems like a move that could happen. For a depleted Gunners spine, the sooner this goes down, the better.

Victor Wanyama

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Defensive midfielders aren't terribly hard to come by unless you are Arsenal, in which case you either try converting more creative-minded players in their later years to the position or you lock up free transfers for players who are capable of running in a straight line and blindly tackling anybody that gets near them with little regard for the actual ball. 

So, yes, that position remains one of need, and the Gunners are apparently (and likely unsuccessfully) turning their attention to a Southampton man. Just not the one you might be expecting.

Per Goal.com, "Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has long been linked with a real interest in Southampton battler Morgan Schneiderlin but is now thought to have switched his focus to his St Mary’s team-mate Victor Wanyama."

Oh, OK then.

It's hard to imagine Arsenal landing either player before the summer, seeing as Southampton are currently in fourth place in the Premier League and direct rivals with Arsenal for a top-four finish and Champions League qualification. This is kind of like asking a girl to a dance even though you already know she has a boyfriend.

At least then there's an obvious reason for the rejection. But hey, you tried, right? 

Maybe this will happen in the summer. Maybe. But for now, it seems a bit silly.

Ilkay Gundogan

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Yes, this one seems a bit silly, too, but boy, would it be an amazing get.

Per Anthony Chapman of the Express, "Borussia Dortmund are ready to listen to offers for Manchester United target Ilkay Gundogan, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool also interested."

That would certainly be amazing. And somewhat fitting, since Gundogan has had his share of injury issues in recent memory. He'd fit right in!

Per Chapman's report, Gundogan is unlikely to sign a contract extension and has already discussed leaving Germany altogether.

"Playing outside Germany is one of my big goals," the midfielder said. "If one day I leave here, I'd like to play in Spain or for one of the big teams in England."

He'd certainly look great in red, wouldn't he? In eight appearances for Dortmund in Bundesliga play, he's scored a goal, an assist and earned a mediocre 6.83 average match rating from WhoScored.com. But ignore that—when he's on form, the 24-year-old is one of the more complete midfielders in the world and would be an excellent fit for the Gunners. 

Of course, many of the bigger clubs in Europe would love to have him, too, meaning his price will be quite high if he's actually sold. The Gunners would be wise to dip their feet in that bidding war. And they'd be lauded by their supporters and pundits alike if they actually brought him aboard.

Julian Draxler

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Since the beginning of time, it has been writ that Julian Draxler would someday play for the Gunners. Historical texts have indicated that a silver-haired man who has a recurring conflict with zippers would one day bring this German prodigy to North London. Songs were written about where he would exactly fit into Arsenal's already loaded attacking midfielder rotation. 

OK, none of that is true. But here's something that might be—Manchester City could be attempting to spoil Draxler's "inevitable" move to the Gunners. Paul Hetherington of the Daily Star has more:

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A Schalke approach for City defender Matija Nastasic prompted the Premier League champions to sound out the German club about £25million-rated Draxler. City boss Manuel Pellegrini would like first option on wide midfielder Draxler, 21, who has repeatedly been linked with Arsenal.

Draxler is understood to favour a move to the Premier League but has had an injury-hit season after being part of Germany's World Cup-winning squad.

"

The truth is, Draxler simply shouldn't be a priority for Arsenal at the moment. They have plenty of wingers and attacking midfielders. Draxler has struggled with injuries in the past two seasons, and the Gunners already need a bigger training room. 

Draxler has huge potential, and someday he'd make sense for Arsenal. But not in January.