Arsenal Transfer News: Bafetimbi Gomis, Marcelo Brozovic Agents Confirm Rumours

Arsenal have made contact with Swansea City to discuss the potential transfer of striker Bafetimbi Gomis, according to the player's agent.

Francesco Di Frisco, Gomis' representative, recently revealed a plethora of clubs are interested in signing the Frenchman, per Jamie Sanderson of Metro: "Schalke and Borussia Dortmund have asked about signing Bafe. So have Crystal Palace and Newcastle and now Arsenal."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger confirmed he is looking to pad out his squad, telling Arsenal.com (h/t ESPN FC): "We work really hard morning until late night to try to get one or two players in."

The manager indicated defensive reinforcements are the club's priority during his pre-match presser ahead of Sunday's tie with Manchester City, per James Olley of the London Evening Standard:

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Yaya Sanogo's loan exit to Crystal Palace could tempt Wenger into adding another forward to his lineup. Gomis' importance has grown at Swansea in the last week—he is now expected to lead Garry Monk's side after Wilfried Bony confirmed his £28 million switch to City, per BBC Sport—but Sanderson believes Swansea are "considering letting him go for the right price."

Gomis has netted four goals in 20 appearances across all competitions this season, per WhoScored.com. His arrival would perhaps be a damning assessment of summer signing Danny Welbeck, who would likely be confined to his unfavoured positioning on the left wing after netting seven goals in 22 appearances since leaving Manchester United.

Olivier Giroud is averaging a goal every two appearances this season, but he has only managed 10 displays after niggling injury concerns (and his red card against Queens Park Rangers). Gomis would offer a more powerful presence and someone Arsenal can play increasingly direct toward. It's questionable whether the former Lyon forward would improve the Gunners' lineup, however.

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Another rumour following Arsenal is the potential acquisition of Dinamo Zagreb playmaker Marcelo Brozovic, a key player in the side's unbeaten run to the summit of the Croatian top flight.

Miroslav Bicanic, the player's agent, recently confirmed his client would be interested in moving to north London, as reported by Peter O'Rourke of Goal.com:

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We are talking to several clubs, although there is nothing concrete at this moment. We know of Arsenal's interest, but there is nothing agreed. At this moment Marcelo is with Dinamo and everything depends on Dinamo.

They have to agree a price with a club and then we can hold talks. Of course Marcelo would be interested in playing in the Premier League with a club such as Arsenal.

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Brozovic's quality on the ball is highlighted below:

Wenger looks to have already tied up young Polish midfielder Krystian Bielik, as tweeted by Arsenal's social feed:

The manager appears to be searching for affordable solutions to problems currently limiting his squad. Finding value for money is difficult in the January transfer window, particularly when rival clubs want top-dollar reparation for losing important players during the season. Wenger is likely to be carefully uncovering those who could provide his team with a boost.

A future move for West Ham United's Winston Reid would certainly make sense with this in mind, per Matt Law of the Daily Telegraph. The dominant centre-back is available on a free at the end of the season but could exit sooner if a small fee is put in place.

Wenger's activity is likely encouraging to Arsenal fans who watched on as he fumbled to the laughable loan signing of Kim Kallstrom last January. Gomis perhaps isn't the star striker supporters want, but he could add further quality during the second half of the season. Arsenal continue to fight domestically and in the Champions League, so they need ample cover to keep up with the schedule.