Arsenal Transfer News: Ilkay Gundogan Bid Reported, New Krystian Bielik Rumours

Arsene Wenger's "long-term interest" in Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has finally seen the Arsenal boss launch an attempt to sign the German, according to Simon Rice of The Independent.

Rice suggests Wenger is going all-in with a £15.6 million bid for Gundogan, who remains an inconsistent feature in Jurgen Klopp's struggling BVB side this season. Speculation is further fuelled by the suggestion "the two clubs will meet in the coming days to discuss it further," per Rice.

Spanish publication Fichajes.net (h/t Jamie Sanderson of Metro) also reported rumours of a possible deal. John Cross of the Daily Mirror previously reported a potential £16 million switch for the individual who played a key role in Dortmund making the 2013 Champions League final.

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Gundogan is a world-class midfielder whose progress has slowed with injury. He is assertive on the ball and is able to skip beyond opponents and play creative passes to send his team forward.

A combined total of 12 appearances across the Bundesliga and the Champions League has yielded just one goal and two assists this season, per WhoScored.com, one of many concerns currently crippling the side who are joint-bottom in Germany's top flight. Gundogan would naturally fit into Wenger's style, but he isn't powerful enough to improve Arsenal's defensive midfield options.

Youngster Krystian Bielik looks set to become a long-term prospect to fill this role, as reported by Polish outlet Przeglad Sportowy (via Eurosport):

Football writer SamuelJayC posted a relevant image of the 17-year-old who is likely to join from Legia Warsaw:

Wenger is said to be facing an increasing fight to add Southampton's Morgan Schneiderlin to his lineup. Reports suggest the French midfielder is in high demand among the Premier League's elite, with Manchester United having reportedly "switched their attentions" to the player after being halted on the Kevin Strootman front, as reported by Richard Tanner of the Daily Express.

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Sporting Lisbon defensive midfielder William Carvalho provided a boost to the Gunners' hopes of signing him, however, as reported by Portuguese newspaper Record (h/t Dave Wood of the Daily Mail): "My dream is to play in England. I know some clubs are interested but my agent Jorge (Mendes) is looking after it and I am relaxed. Now my mission is to work in Sporting and they will be in charge of any transfer and my future. That is very important."

While Bielik could shape up to be a smart investment for the future, Wenger needs a more immediate impact in the centre. Arsenal have deployed variations of midfielders who lack physicality for far too long, despite the best efforts of Mathieu Flamini and Mikel Arteta to hold things together.

A tall, imposing destroyer remains the missing ingredient of a team who are just one point behind fourth-place Manchester United. B/R UK's James McNicholas recently cast his eye over other potential signings:

Like Louis van Gaal at United, Wenger now has the opportunity to strengthen key weaknesses. This season's race for Champions League places threatens to be decided by the most minuscule of details, particularly as Southampton and Tottenham continue to suggest they could make a run for the elite competition.

A smart signing has the potential to tip the odds in Arsenal's favour, although right now, many will question whether Gundogan would be an appropriate investment.