Arsenal Transfer News: Major Morgan Schneiderlin, Per Mertesacker, Pedro Rumours

Southampton destroyer Morgan Schneiderlin has reportedly "agreed terms" with Arsenal, although the two clubs are yet to see eye to eye on a fee.

That is according to Carl Eldridge of the Daily Star, who suggests that Arsene Wenger "will bid more than £20 million" for the midfielder. Schneiderlin's stock has continued to rise after he reportedly tried to force a move away from St. Mary's at the start of the season.

He has knuckled down under Ronald Koeman, however, and he can be considered one of the Premier League's best defensive midfielders after a third impressive year in the division. The 25-year-old is equipped to plug obvious gaps in Arsenal's midfield without taking away from the side's attack-minded passing style.

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Schneiderlin deserves to be recognised as far more than a hard tackler. Granted, he averages 3.2 tackles and 2.3 interceptions per game, recorded by WhoScored.com, but he is also a precise passer, with 89.1 per cent of his attempts finding their mark this campaign.

The anchor has four goals across all competitions, suggesting he can outrank the likes of Mathieu Flamini and Mikel Arteta in this department. B/R UK's Sam Tighe looked at Schneiderlin's qualities before the winter transfer window opened:

It could be all change for Arsenal at the end of the season if Eldridge is to be believed. He has also stated that Wenger is "ready to ditch" centre-back Per Mertesacker, who is currently struggling for form. The German's poor showings are always amplified by his lack of pace—if the opposition set up correctly, they can expose this—but he has been a solid servant for Arsenal over the years.

Mertesacker was dropped for Sunday's win over Everton after being destroyed by Monaco's counter-attacking play in the Champions League. His replacement, Gabriel Paulista, will have impressed many—he made a smart last-ditched tackle to stop an opportunity on goal—but the Brazilian showed that he too has the capacity to make mistakes in the first half.

As such, it is perhaps unfair to write Mertesacker's importance off just yet. "I think Mertesacker is under pressure," said former Arsenal defender Martin Keown, per Eldridge. "It looks like Wenger has the necessary players to replace him."

Clive Mason/Getty Images

B/R UK's Callum Mackenzie, betting company Paddy Power and Squawka highlighted what could be an important benching in Mertesacker's Arsenal career:

Elsewhere, the club are being outlined as "stand out" favourites to sign Barcelona's Pedro despite competition from Manchester United and Chelsea, reported by Moises Llorens of AS.

Wenger possesses ample forwards of this variety—Alexis Sanchez, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott, Danny Welbeck and Serge Gnabry to name a few—so maybe the club's money would be best spent elsewhere.

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

Schneiderlin's potential arrival continues to make sense and would massively improve Arsenal's hopes of challenging for silverware on a more consistent basis.