Arsenal Transfer News: Neven Subotic Blow, Latest Morgan Schneiderlin Rumours

Borussia Dortmund are keen to keep hold of centre-back Neven Subotic despite reported interest from Arsenal.

That’s according to the German club’s sporting director, Michael Zorc, who told Bild (h/t ESPN FC) that the club "would like to prolong the contract with Neven.” The aforementioned piece also cites sources claiming that the Gunners are interested in the 26-year-old defender amid concerns about the long-term future of Per Mertesacker.

Here’s what the Serbian star would add to this Arsenal team:

Subotic has been a central figure during Dortmund’s renaissance under Jurgen Klopp. His uncompromising style of defending was a wonderful foil for the poise of Mats Hummels at the heart of the BVB defence integral to the club's league title triumphs in 2011 and 2012.

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But since the arrival of Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Subotic has found himself with stern competition for his spot in the team. Factor in the appalling luck he has had with injuries and he suddenly found himself well down the pecking order at the Westfalenstadion.

As noted by Alex Chaffer of FourFourTwo, Subotic has consequently been out of form for quite a while now:

A move elsewhere could potentially rejuvenate his toiling career, and Arsenal would be an ideal club for the Serbian. Subotic’s understated ability on the ball would definitely appeal to Wenger, while his experience, robustness and understanding of the game are qualities that would give this Arsenal team the kind of underpinning that has been scarce for a while.

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The fact Wenger is targeting players of this ilk will be encouraging to the Gunners faithful, who are keen to see their team shore up at the back and compete with the biggest names around. Indeed, according to Sami Mokbel of the Mail Online, the Frenchman will be handed a £50 million kitty to land Subotic, Petr Cech and Morgan Schneiderlin.

Of the aforementioned trio, it is probably the latter who represents the most enticing proposition for the club's fans, given the perennial lack of enforcing presence at the heart of this team. According to Mokbel, the Southampton man is the “leading contender” for Wenger as he looks to sign a holding player.

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The player himself has admitted that there are a host of clubs interested in his signature, however, per Julien Laurens of Le Parisien:

For Arsenal, there are few better options out there for this bespoke role than Schneiderlin. Not only does he boast the fundamental defensive and technical qualities that will allow him to flourish at the heart of the Gunners midfield, but he is wholly familiar with the robust nature of English football too.

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Wenger is a manager who is notoriously hesitant when it comes to spending and could easily be tempted by some cheaper options. However, Schneiderlin is a ready-made solution, would easily slot into the nexus of this team and capable of knitting things together with distinction for the Gunners. As noted by football writer Graham Ruthven, Arsenal should move mountains to land him:

The panache showcased by Schneiderlin with the ball at his feet reeks of an Arsenal player. He can spray passes wide, thread intricate balls into pockets and, when the situation calls, surge forward from deep. But his ferocity in the tackle, ability to spot danger and unrelenting energy are what make him the perfect man for the Gunners.

As Southampton showcased last summer, they don’t sell their prized assets on the cheap, and if Arsenal are going to land Schneiderlin, he’s going to cost top dollar. But he’s a player well worth spending a chunk of that reported £50 million summer budget on.