Arsenal Transfer News: Top Rumours on Major Signings Eyed by Gunners

The January transfer window is in full swing, and according to the latest rumours, Arsenal are working on a series of moves to considerably strengthen the squad heading into the second half of the 2014-15 season.

The Gunners are expected to invest heavily on the defensive side of the ball, but the latest reports have Arsene Wenger eyeing a number of attacking reinforcements as well.

Here are the latest rumours coming out of the Emirates.

Record-Breaking Isco Bid?

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Real Madrid midfielder Isco is enjoying a fantastic 2014-15 campaign, and according to the Daily Star's Bruce Archer, his fine form has attracted the attention of the Gunners, who are willing to break the British transfer record to bring him to the Premier League:

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Arsene Wenger has reportedly made the Spain star his number one target and is prepared to push through a club record transfer.

Isco moved to Madrid in 2013 but has often found his place in the team obstructed by Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.

In Bale's absence, however, he became a pivotal man in Carlo Ancelotti's side.

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Isco spent the second half of the 2013-14 season nursing an injury and sitting on the bench, and many wondered whether he still had a future with the Champions League holders after James Rodriguez made his way to the Spanish capital during the summer of 2014.

The Spain international made a big impression filling in for the injured Gareth Bale, however, and he currently acts as the team's top playmaker in the absence of the injured Luka Modric.

How good has he been exactly? Spanish football expert Sergi Dominguez can't even remember the last time he turned in a less-than spectacular performance:

Arsenal are reportedly willing to offer Real £64 million; over £20 million more than the club's current transfer record paid for Mesut Ozil. The figure sounds insane for a 22-year-old, who recently told reporters how happy he is with the team, via the Daily Star's Chisanga Malata:

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Playing in central midfield is helping me to become a more complete player. I want to keep on helping in every way possible.

I'm happy with the run that the team is on and the win against Ludogorets.

We're happy with the shape the team is in. This team is eager to keep on getting better. Our aim is to win as many games as possible, but at the end of the season what matters is silverware.

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Arsenal don't usually blow huge chunks of money on players who have given no signs of wanting to leave their current club, and as arguably Spain's top talent, Real won't be willing to part with Isco unless the offer is truly spectacular. Don't expect this transfer to materialise.

Gunners Looking at Alexandre Lacazette

Laurent Cipriani/Associated Press

Writing for talkSPORT, Whoscored.com did a statistical breakdown of Olympique Lyon star Alexandre Lacazette, who has long been linked with Liverpool and is now reportedly on the Gunners' radar as well.

The 23-year-old forward has already scored 17 goals in just 19 Ligue 1 appearances, via WhoScored, and at talkSPORT, it is believed Arsenal should make their move soon amid plenty of interest from other top clubs:

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He may not be available on the cheap, but Arsenal need a player to help ease the offensive weight currently being shouldered by Alexis. After the disappointing defeat at Saints at the turn of the year, Lacazette could be just the striker the Gunners need to reignite their pursuit of a top 4 finish.

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Adding more attackers isn't the club's primary need—Bleacher Report's Ryan Bailey and Janusz Michallik recently looked at the squad and highlighted defence as the key area that needs to be addressed in January:

Lacazette also isn't fishing for a move, as his agent told reporters earlier this week (via French Football Weekly):

Given the needs in defence, it's hard to imagine Wenger spending big on another striker after bringing in Danny Welbeck during the summer. Lukas Podolski's departure opened up a spot in the squad, but Wenger will likely fill it with a youngster or a defensive signing.

Goncalo Guedes Contract Situation Drawing Attention

Benfica youngster Goncalo Guedes' contract is up at the end of the season, and with the Portuguese side so far failing to lock him up to a long-term deal, Arsenal and Liverpool are ready to pounce, via the Daily Express' Ben Jefferson.

Guedes is the latest in a long line of Portuguese talents to be dubbed the next Cristiano Ronaldo, impressing for Benfica's reserves with his pace and technique. The 18-year-old has already made his debut for the club's senior side and is set to go out on loan to Gil, according to Portuguese football insider Jan Hagen:

Benfica are working hard on a new contract and plan to insert a significant release clause, per Portuguese newspaper Record (via HITC's Vincent Ralph), but the interest of the Gunners and Reds could thwart their plans.

Guedes is a raw talent and far from ready to make an impact on the Premier League level, but his potential is enormous. Picking the teenager up on a free transfer in the summer would be a massive steal, so Arsenal should continue their efforts and convince the youngster not to sign a new contract.

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