10 Potential Summer Transfer Targets for Arsenal

Although the January transfer window has only just closed, speculation is already starting to circulate about which players Arsenal will target in the summer of 2015.

The Gunners were widely expected to challenge for the title this season, but they have fallen short of that ambition. They will need to strengthen if they are to tussle with the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea next year.

Over the next 10 slides, we put forward some players whom Arsene Wenger may identify as being able to improve his squad for the 2015/16 season.

Morgan Schneiderlin

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Arsenal's No. 1 target this summer could well be Southampton's Morgan Schneiderlin.

Last year, Arsene Wenger raided the Saints to sign Calum Chambers. This time around, he could go back with a sizeable offer for the outstanding Schneiderlin. Corroborating The Secret Footballer, L'Equipe (h/t Jake Wilson of the Daily Star) has already carried a report suggesting plans are in place for Schneiderlin to become a Gunner.

Petr Cech

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Matt Law of The Telegraph has already suggested Arsenal are interested in bringing on Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech over the summer.

With neither Wojciech Szczesny nor David Ospina seemingly able to claim the No. 1 shirt outright, the experienced Chelsea stopper could be an ideal signing for Arsenal.

Ilkay Gundogan

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Arsene Wenger can never resist a creative midfielder.

According to Rob Draper of the Daily Mail, Arsenal have an interest in Dortmund's Germany international Ilkay Gundogan.

Gundogan, who can play either as a No. 10 or holding midfielder, would challenge Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere for a first-team place.

Hugo Lloris

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Tottenham Hotspur may be above Arsenal in the table at present, but if they miss out on the top four again, the Spurs 'keeper may well look to join a Champions League club.

A move to Arsenal would be tricky, but the France No. 1 could be the solution to Arsenal's goalkeeping problem. He was linked with a move across north London by L'Equipe (h/t Bruce Archer of the Daily Star) in January, and Gunners fans would love to see him emulate Sol Campbell and desert Tottenham.

Benedikt Howedes

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Despite the arrival of Gabriel Paulista, Adrian Kajumba of the Mirror claimed that Arsenal are still on the lookout for new defenders.

One such man is reportedly Benedikt Howedes. The World Cup winner is a versatile defender capable of filling in at centre-half or left-back, and he would cost Arsenal as much as £14 million.

Sami Khedira

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Arsenal's link with Sami Khedira has run for several months now. Real Madrid expect the Germany international to depart on a Bosman transfer in July, per Marca (h/t ESPN).

Khedira will have many suitors this summer, including Bayern Munich. However, Arsenal may well be the best-placed team to offer him regular first-team football.

Marco Reus

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Arsenal's most ambitious move of the summer could be a bid to sign Germany international forward Marco Reus.

According to Rob Draper of the Daily Mail, Arsenal and Manchester United may express an interest in the sprightly winger.

They are unlikely to be alone. Currently, Real Madrid are favourites to secure Reus. However, Wenger may well make a bid to ensure the Gunners are also in contention for his signature.

Christoph Kramer

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With Mikel Arteta succumbing to injury with increasing regularity, Arsenal may need a new holding midfielder.

Christoph Kramer could fit the bill. Arsenal were linked with a £20 million bid back in December by Rob Draper of the Daily Mail, and they could return with an offer this summer.

Paul-Georges Ntep

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Paul-Georges Ntep was heavily linked with a move to Arsenal in January of 2014 by Samuel Stevens of The Independent. Instead, Ntep stayed in France with Rennes.

Since joining the Ligue 1 side, Ntep has gone from strength to strength. Arsene Wenger may look to revive his interest this summer before Ntep is on the radar of wealthier clubs.

Tyrone Mings

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Promising Ipswich Town left-back Tyrone Mings was linked with Arsenal throughout January by Rob Shepherd of the Daily Mail.

Although most of his football has come as a left-back, it's expected that he may evolve in to a dominating centre-half. Arsenal could look to bring him in as one for the future, perhaps even loaning him back to Ipswich to continue his development.