Arsenal Transfer News: Latest on Marco Reus and Significant Gunners Rumours

Arsenal will be looking to capitalise on Borussia Dortmund’s misfortune at the end of this season, with reports suggesting that the Gunners will move for a trio of the German club’s stars. Indeed, according to Rob Draper of the MailOnline, Marco Reus, Ilkay Gundogan and Mats Hummels are set to depart the Westfalenstadion.

The Bundesliga side are currently rooted to the bottom of the table and although they have an array of quality players within their ranks, it’s difficult to see how they’re going to haul themselves out of the mire. That should prompt departures and from an Arsenal perspective, both Reus and Hummels would be superb acquisitions.

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The former of the two has always seemed poised to leave the club anyway; as noted by Bleacher Report’s Matteo Bonetti, the pursuit of Reus’ signature looks set to be one of the main transfer sagas of the summer:

Per Draper’s piece, it’s been revealed that the forward has a £20 million release clause in his contract. That would represent fantastic value for money for a genuinely world-class talent, so perhaps it’s little surprise that according to the article, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea are also keen on signing him.

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As noted by recently by Sport Witness, the player certainly isn’t emitting the aura of a man fully committed to the Dortmund cause either:

While Arsenal have an array of attacking midfield talent, Arsene Wenger has never been reluctant to add to this area of the pitch if quality is available. Reus boasts undeniable class and for the aforementioned fee he would be a superb purchase. Whether the Gunners are willing to offer a package quite as lucrative as the other European juggernauts represents a potential stumbling block, though.

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With Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Santi Cazorla in situ, missing out on Reus wouldn’t be a massive blow to the Arsenal cause. Indeed, running the rule over the current Gunners squad suggests defensive reinforcements should remain a primary objective in the summer, even though the club signed Gabriel Paulista from Villarreal in January.

Hummels would be a perfect player to come into this Arsenal defence and make a major impression. Not only does he boast supreme fundamental defensive skills, but his leadership has regularly been heralded and his ability to stride forward with the ball and set attacks in motion is an attribute that would definitely appeal to Wenger.

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As is the case with Reus, all does not seem to be well with Hummels at the Westfalenstadion, per Football Vines:

"

Dortmund lose to stay bottom, Weidenfeller and Hummels discuss match with their furious fans. Amazing. https://t.co/iB5HUBVnqn

— Football Vines (@FootballVines) February 4, 2015"

According to Draper’s piece, United are also very keen on the German international defender. Louis van Gaal also needs to add some defensive fortitude to his side and although a reported fee of £30 million may seem a bit steep for the 26-year-old, his coalescence of qualities would see him flourish in the Premier League.

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But former England and United midfielder Owen Hargreaves isn’t sure it’d be a smart move, per German football expert Alex Chaffer:

Bleacher Report’s Bundesliga expert Clark Whitney doesn’t agree with that assessment, though:

While he may not be at the peak of his powers at this juncture, Hummels has shown throughout his distinguished career that he’s a player well capable of mixing it with the very best. His defensive instincts and burly somatotype make him an ideal fit for the Premier League, while his ball playing qualities would hypothetically see him slot seamlessly into this Arsenal side.

Hummels has been superb for Dortmund down the years but after the turbulent season this club has endured, perhaps a move at the end of the campaign would be ideal for him. A fresh start in a new league would pose new challenges aplenty and a shift away from his Dortmund comfort zone would help the player to refocus and rediscover his very best form.