Arsenal Transfer News: Jonathan Calleri Deal Close, Martin Odegaard Rumours Grow

It's defensive signings fans at the Emirates Stadium want to see, but it looks as though Arsenal's first winter signing may be striker Jonathan Calleri, with wonderkid Martin Odegaard also considering a Gunners switch.

According to Bruce Archer of the Daily Star (h/t Colin Harvey of the Daily Star), Arsene Wenger's side are just inches away from agreeing a deal with Boca Juniors forward Calleri, recently on the radar of some of Europe's biggest outfits.

Victor R. Caivano/Associated Press

The report suggests Liverpool are Arsenal's main competition for the 21-year-old, but it's the north Londoners who will clinch his signing this winter after impressing in his native Argentina.

Bleacher Report pair James McNicholas and Ryan Bailey recently discussed other forwards being linked with a move to England's capital, but should Calleri sign, he could be the only attacking reinforcements arriving this month:

Olivier Giroud recently made a very welcome return to first-team football after several months on the sideline, and Danny Welbeck hasn't quite inspired as Emirates fans might have wanted.

Calleri has scored eight goals and made three assists in 23 outings for Boca Juniors across all competitions this season, per Transfermarkt, and he is regarded as one of Argentina's fastest-rising prospects.

However, with Welbeck already taking his place as a younger hope in Wenger's front line, it's difficult to see where another aspiring striker would fit in.

Another exciting prospect for Arsenal to consider is that of Odegaard, with the latest speculation stating that if it's the Premier League he moves to, it will be either Arsenal or Liverpool winning the race for his services.

That's according to Anthony Chapman of the Daily Express, who quotes Norwegian journalist Marius Skelbaek as telling Sky Sports News HQ that it's either Anfield or the Emirates for the 16-year-old if he chooses England as his destination:

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I think he is going to be sold this month because his club needs the money and he only has one year left on his contract. I think maybe Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are leading the race to sign him, and the latest rumour is that Martin is going to visit the Dutch talent industry this month, clubs like Ajax.

Dutch football could suit him right now and a lot of young players from Denmark and Sweden go to clubs like Ajax, Feyenoord or PSV and do great. But it is possible he will move to England. He has been visiting all the big clubs in the Premier League. He is a big Liverpool fan. They are his and his father's favourite club. So who knows? Maybe he could sign for Arsenal, Liverpool, Bayern Munich or Real Madrid.

"

Skelbaek pulls no punches in keeping his options open when speaking of Odegaard's potential move, but he's right in proclaiming that a January transfer looks likely given the circumstances.

If Wenger were to sign the attacking midfielder, it's unlikely he would slip into the Gunners' first team straight away, although starting opportunities may be a requirement for Odegaard in whatever move he chooses.

At the end of 2014, Stuart Mathieson of the Manchester Evening News confirmed that Manchester United were among the latest clubs to play host to the prodigy on his European tour:

Among Europe's giants, Arsenal hold a solid reputation in terms of youth promotion and boast a willingness to offer younger players advanced opportunities, something which will surely appeal to the playmaker.

However, just what use the Gunners have for a player of his skill set right now is up for debate considering the wealth of creative talent already based in north London.

Mesut Ozil will soon return from injury to compete with the likes of Santi Cazorla, Alexis Sanchez, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and others for a place in the midfield, where teen Odegaard would also hope to fit.

The Norwegian is revered as being among the world's brightest up-and-comers, but he is clearly a project for the future when Arsenal are more in need of proven talent right now.