Arsenal Transfer News: Mario Suarez Staying at Atletico, Kevin De Bruyne Rumours

The chances of Arsenal making any winter move for Atletico Madrid's Mario Suarez have severely diminished after the club's president ruled out any January exits, but Kevin De Bruyne may be a more realistic target.

Arsene Wenger's side had been linked with a move for Suarez to strengthen their engine room, but Enrique Cerezo moved to quash any rumours on Wednesday, per David Wright of the Express:

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As far as I know Mario Suarez will be staying. He is an important player for us. I don't think we'll be operating sales because the coach (Diego Simeone) relies on all of the available players until the end of the season. That's why I'm saying that we're not taking into consideration the idea of dropping someone.

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The report mentions that Los Rojiblancos rejected Inter's offer of £7 million for the Spaniard this week, at least giving some indication of how much Arsenal would need to pay at the very least.

Suarez has had to settle for a place on the fringes of Simeone's squad this season, making just seven La Liga starts, but Dermot Corrigan of ESPN FC recently praised his good form of late:

Wenger has just completed the £2.4 million signing of Polish prodigy Krystian Bielik, per BBC Sport, a defensive midfielder who is very much seen as a potential star for the future.

Suarez would be a much more immediate impact, but Cerezo's proclamation would see the Gunners go in search of their winter reinforcements elsewhere.

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Following injuries to Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta and Aaron Ramsey, Wenger's central options have looked thin at times this season.

Centre-back remains another area in which the club are thought to be sourcing potential signings, with Bleacher Report's James McNicholas assessing the latest rumours on Winston Reid and Villarreal's Gabriel Paulista:

At present, Wenger's depth in attacking midfield looks promising, but that hasn't stopped Wolfsburg star De Bruyne being linked with a return to London just 12 months after leaving Stamford Bridge.

The Belgian's agent, Patrick De Koster, recently spoke to German newspaper Bild (h/t Metro's Jamie Sanderson), confirming a host of clubs are looking into the playmaker's potential signing:

"I know some clubs are interested in him. This is normal. It’s recognition for his and our hard work."

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Since departing the stacked competition under Jose Mourinho's command, De Bruyne has flourished as the primary puppeteer at the Volkswagen Arena.

In 17 Bundesliga outings this season, the 23-year-old has made 10 assists, per Transfermarkt, finally permitted to fulfil the expectations some have laid ahead of him since his days with Genk.

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It's difficult to see where he would fit in among Wenger's priorities, though, with Mesut Ozil recently returning to fitness and Santi Cazorla enjoying a resurgence in form.

But that won't stop the north Londoners' interest in his talent, it seems, with De Bruyne second only to a certain Arsenal alumnus in terms of league assists record in Europe this term, per Squawka:

Sanderson mentions that it would take a fee upwards of £25 million to sign De Bruyne, but as willing as Arsenal may be to pay that figure, Wolfsburg's eagerness to sell is another question entirely.

A versatile creative maestro with ambidextrous tendencies, it's easy to see where Arsenal's interest may come from, but sanctioning a winter deal for the former Blue may be a stretch too far for the Gunners.