Arsenal Transfer News: Ex-Gunner on Raphael Varane, Morgan Schneiderlin Rumours

Former Arsenal forward Charlie Nicholas believes Arsene Wenger should pick up a pair of French fancies this summer after tipping Raphael Varane and Morgan Schneiderlin as the Gunners' most suitable targets.

Speaking of who would make up his "ideal" spending spree at the Emirates Stadium, Sky Sports pundit Nicholas said:

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Ideally, if the situation arose, I’d like to go and get Raphael Varane from Real Madrid. That’s who I’d really love Arsenal to get. He’s had a bit of a hard time this season but I think if he was to work with Arsene Wenger he could become one of the best centre-halves in world football—if not the best. If Wenger is going to splash the cash for just one top-level guy this summer, Varane would be my wish.

However, Arsenal also need protection for the defence. People have mentioned Newcastle’s Moussa Sissoko to fill the deep role in midfield, but I don’t think he has enough discipline. Schneiderlin plays with a far more disciplined, controlled velocity, and I think he fits more into the pattern of Arsenal’s play.

I’m not saying Francis Coquelin should be dropped immediately if Schneiderlin came in, he’d have to earn his place, but you could even play the two in the same team. That could work in Europe and certain away games in the Premier League.

"

A move for Varane may be difficult to envision so soon after Gabriel Paulista's arrival from Villarreal this year, already contending alongside Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker for a place in Wenger's starting XI.

Nicholas isn't the France international's only backer, though, and ESPN FC's Musa Okwonga even goes so far as to rate the youngster as a more enticing purchase than World Cup winner Mats Hummels:

Varane's main concern at the Bernabeu this term has been a lack of playing time, and until the duopoly of Pepe and Sergio Ramos is broken, it's unlikely the emerging defender will figure in front of either in Madrid.

What's more, Metro reports Arsenal may not be the only English side interested if they were to bid for Varane's services, with Chelsea said to be monitoring a £40 million deal:

Recent transfers windows have shown Wenger's side are becoming increasingly willing to splash funds, but the urge to do so for a defensive player has proven more difficult.

One would agree that attack remains the club's biggest strength, with Bleacher Report's James McNicholas recently dissecting whether Olivier Giroud or Alexis Sanchez is most important to Arsenal's cause:

Gabriel's addition has given the side more depth at the back, but to see such an extravagant fee spent at the end of this season seems implausible. 

Varane may well be growing frustrated with spending so much time on Carlo Ancelotti's bench, though, especially after becoming such a prominent figure for his national team, per OptaJean:

Schneiderlin's reputation as an international asset has also soared in recent years, and Nicholas is backing his old club to revive their old ties and once again go in for the midfielder.

Arsenal's probes for the anchor have proven fruitless over the past 12 months, but the north Londoners will be hoping this is the year their target is convinced to depart St. Mary's.

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Southampton blocked any and all attempts on their star last summer while others made for the club's exit, which turned out to be superb management as Schneiderlin has once again been talismanic in the club's rise.

However, the desire to play Champions League football is still influencing Schneiderlin, who was last week quoted by French newspaper L'Equipe (h/t Goal's Harry Sherlock) as saying:

"I don't want to be in front of the TV on Tuesday and Wednesday. But at the end of the season, Southampton could qualify for the Champions League and I could also stay. Who knows..."

With Southampton currently sixth and six points outside the top four, their chances of qualifying for Europe's premier competition next term seem slim.

Jeremy Wilson of The Telegraph backs up reports, saying that while the Saints are under no financial pressure to sell this summer, their players' desires may be a factor outside their control:

Nicholas is correct in asserting the former Strasbourg ace wouldn't immediately dislodge Francis Coquelin from Wenger's lineup after the midfielder returned from a loan at Charlton Athletic to add some new vigour in the engine room.

However, Schneiderlin would bring a lot more top-flight experience to the role, and there's no reason to suggest the French countrymen couldn't start alongside one another.

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This is especially the case when one considers the ageing figure of Mikel Arteta, while injury-plagued Jack Wilshere is no longer a certainty at the Emirates Stadium.

Having rebuffed their defence, Arsenal may agree with Nicholas in looking to central midfield as the next area in need of strengthening, with Schneiderlin likely to be among their top targets.