Arsenal Transfer News: Nabil Fekir and Aymen Abdennour Double Deal Eyed

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will target Lyon forward Nabil Fekir and Monaco centre-back Aymen Abdennour this summer, according to BeIN Sports presenter Matt Spiro (h/t Tom Olver of the Metro).

Wenger will return to the French market when the transfer window opens, per the Ligue 1 specialist:

Fekir has enjoyed an excellent season with table-topping Lyon, scoring 12 goals and providing nine assists in 31 appearances, per WhoScored.com. He is able to play as a central striker or in an attacking midfield role, where his creative passing and quality finishing skills allow him to flourish.

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Spiro suggests that, while the 21-year-old's quality cannot be disputed, Arsenal possess plenty of similar players:

Fekir was previously linked with a move to Manchester City, but his father believes the Gunners are the single buyers who can aid his development, reported by Le Parisien (h/t Elliott Bretland of the MailOnline): "If he leaves, it'll be for Arsenal. It's the only club that can enable him to progress, with Arsene Wenger. He will not go to Manchester City to sit on the bench."

Football writer SamuelJayC suggested how Fekir could fit in at the Emirates Stadium:

Fekir's performances have seen him outlined for the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year, per French Football Weekly:

His quality can be seen below:

Wenger got a good look at Abdennour during Monaco's Champions League round-of-16 aggregate win over Arsenal earlier in the season. His physicality dominated the Gunners' attack for most part. Abdennour loves to confront players by tackling them head on, and although he is susceptible to being pulled out of position, he is a full-blooded, committed player.

Arsenal added to their centre-back options in January with the signing of Gabriel Paulista, but Wenger needs more to ensure the Laurent Koscielny/Per Mertesacker partnership is adequately backed up. Abdennour is the type of player who would become an instant favourite in north London and could even replace Mertesacker if he hits his annual poor spell of form.

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After watching his side beat Hull City 3-1 on Monday night, Wenger admitted quality signings are key this summer, per Sky Sports:

"We have a big squad—the basis is there," said the boss. "We do not need to buy a number of players. If we can get top, world-class players we will look at it, but we have a very strong squad already in number and we want to stay together and start well next season."

B/R UK's James McNicholas thinks the second-placed Gunners have an excellent chance of catching champions Chelsea next season:

Wenger regularly buys from Ligue 1—with Olivier Giroud, Bacary Sagna and Samir Nasri among the many to travel across the Channel—so he knows the market well. Both Fekir and Abdennour would further strengthen a squad that currently harnesses quality and potential.

Arsenal need reinforcements for their first team if they're to genuinely compete for the title. Both Fekir and Abdennour would certainly improve the side's chances.