Arsenal Transfer News: World-Class Targets Named in Latest Gunners Rumours

Jose Mourinho has dashed Arsenal's hopes of signing veteran Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech. The Blues boss is determined to keep Cech out of the clutches of a Premier League rival.

Cech, who lost his place to Thibaut Courtois this season, has been strongly linked with the Gunners, according to the Guardian's David Hytner:

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Arsenal have explored the possibility of taking Cech and they believe that a deal could be put in place for him in the summer. A host of other clubs in mainland Europe are also interested in the 32-year-old, chief among them Paris St-Germain.

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A move to Arsenal might appeal as Cech would not have to uproot his family from London.

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But Hytner also reports Mourinho is willing to dig his heels in: “For me, decision No. 1, Petr will stay. After that, second point, to go but not in England. The option I don’t want is for him to go to an English club."

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Mourinho's reluctance to sell is perhaps understandable given Arsenal's late-season ascendancy in the Premier League. Although Chelsea have the title wrapped up, the Gunners seem primed to be the Stamford Bridge club's main contender next season.

Arsenal are on a terrific run and also have the chance to retain the FA Cup the side won last season. Arsene Wenger's current squad is the most talented he's had in a decade.

But if there are obvious question marks, one exists between the posts. Cocksure Poland international Wojciech Szczesny has floundered this season. Wenger sent him to the bench amid a string of high-profile blunders and poor decision-making.

Colombian David Ospina has replaced him. While he's done little wrong, Ospina certainly can't match 32-year-old Cech's experience and track record of winning at the highest level.

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Those qualities encouraged decorated former Gunners midfielder Ray Parlour to urge Arsenal to complete a deal for the Chelsea stopper, a potential move he dubbed "a great signing," per David Wright of the Daily Express.

But Mourinho's stance seems set to scupper those plans and force arch-rival Wenger to cast a wider net for help between the sticks.

Arsenal 'Likely Bidders' for Geoffrey Kondogbia

Further upfield, Wenger could already be taking steps to add some vital power and drive. The Gunners have been tenuously linked with AS Monaco midfield linchpin Geoffrey Kondogbia.

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He's reportedly the subject of a £25.3 million bid from a "mystery Premier League club." That's according to French publication Le10 Sport (h/t Metro's Will Giles).

It's Giles who names Arsenal as the "likely" bidder, while the original report from France lists the Gunners and fellow Premier League sides Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur as interested parties. Meanwhile, Chelsea's possible interest isn't as strong.

But Kondogbia makes the most sense for Arsenal. He's a phenomenal midfield powerhouse, combining strength and quickness with excellent technique.

The 22-year-old natural left-footer boasts a good passing range and possesses a thunderbolt for a shot. Arsenal know all about his qualities.

Kondogbia toyed with the Gunners midfield during Monaco's 3-1 win at the Emirates Stadium in the UEFA Champions League last-16 first leg. His thoroughly dominant performance included smashing in the opening goal from distance.

In the current Arsenal squad, Kondogbia would bring increased physicality and balance to the middle. He'd function well alongside diminutive destroyer Francis Coquelin as a rugged box-to-box powerhouse able to disrupt the game at every level of the pitch.

With Coquelin and Kondogbia together, the Gunners would have the midfield strength to win anywhere.

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This isn't the first time Arsenal have been linked with Kondogbia. Back in November, former Gunner Perry Groves dubbed the Frenchman as the "perfect buy" and even compared him to club legend Patrick Vieira, per Daily Express reporter Charles Perrin.

Wenger was also reportedly keen as far back as the summer of 2013, when Kondogbia had emerged as a star for La Liga side Sevilla, per Sky Sports.

Despite a plethora of options in midfield, Kondogbia would offer the Gunners qualities they generally lack. This is one transfer Wenger should seriously pursue.

Missing out on Cech may be a blow, but Ospina still has time to make the position his own. It's more important for Arsenal to solidify a few outfield positions.