Arsenal Transfer News: Charles Aranguiz Targeted, Fabinho Rumours Emerge

During the infancy of Arsene Wenger’s tenure as Arsenal boss, the Frenchman developed a patent for signing relatively unknown stars, working with their malleable talents and transforming them into thoroughbred superstars. According to reports, he will be looking to do the same with Internacional’s Charles Aranguiz and Monaco’s Fabinho.

According to Chilean daily La Tercera (h/t Ben Grounds of Metro) the Gunners are looking at landing Aranguiz in a cut-price £4.4 million deal. Here’s what they’d potentially be getting for that kind of outlay:

The 25-year-old caught the eye with some wonderfully dynamic displays at the World Cup and became a social media sensation with his stunning penalty against Brazil in the second round. He’s a balanced player and someone whose versatility in midfield would certainly appeal to Wenger, as would his industrious stylistic principles.

Sports journalist Jonas Giaever thinks the Chilean would be a fine signing:

Whenever South American players make a big step to join a top European club, there is a period of adaptation to be undergone.

But Aranguiz looks as though he’s the kind of player who could blossom in English football, for he boasts the fundamental technical skills to slot into the heart of a team like Arsenal, as well as a ferocity comparable to compatriot Alexis Sanchez.

Stu Forster/Getty Images

But at this juncture, the Gunners need a midfielder who is a thoroughbred talent. Wenger has left the base of his midfield unaddressed for far too long now, and it’s an area of the squad that is definitely worth splashing big money on to get right. Aranguiz would potentially be a shrewd purchase but not a player who would transform the Gunners into potential title winners.

As noted by Bleacher Report’s Arsenal correspondent, James McNicholas, it’s imperative the club bolsters the base of the midfield with an established star:

The same logic can probably be applied to Fabinho, who is a target for the Gunners this summer, according to tuttomercatoweb.com (h/t Colin Harvey of the Daily Star).

Lionel Cironneau/Associated Press

The versatile Brazilian impressed against Arsenal recently when the two sides met in the last 16 of the Champions League, showcasing defensive acumen, an unyielding work rate and a composure in possession to match.

According to reports in Spain (h/t barcastuff) Arsenal are not the only elite club to be impressed by Fabinho, with Barcelona apparently scouting out the Monaco star:

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A Barcelona scout will attend the CL game Monaco-Arsenal next week, mainly to watch Monaco defenders Fabinho (21) and Wallace (20). [md]

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) March 10, 2015"

The 21-year-old turned in a masterclass defensive midfield play at the heart of the French team when they rolled over Arsenal, 3-1, at the Emirates. He was sharp in the tackle, quick across the ground and seemed to sniff out danger long before it had developed. Against the Gunners' array of attacking midfield stars, it was very impressive effort.

Clive Mason/Getty Images

But as noted by Selecao Brasileira, he wasn’t even playing in his most favoured role:

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21-yo RB Fabinho receiving lots of praise after his performance against Arsenal, and he's not even a midfielder. Just replacing Toulalan.

— Seleção Brasileira (@BrazilStats) February 26, 2015"

Monaco have one of the most hardened defences around, and throughout the campaign, Fabinho has been key to it. But in Mathieu Debuchy, Hector Bellerin and even Calum Chambers, Wenger already boasts plenty of decent right-back options, and it’s difficult to see exactly where the youngster would fit into this squad.

Naturally the Brazilian's performances have ensured he is attracting interest aplenty, and going off that display at the Emirates, he could do a job for the Gunners in a holding midfield berth. But it’s imperative Fabinho continues to get game time in his favoured role and for Arsenal to sign an orthodox destroyer to harden their fragile underbelly.