Arsenal Transfer News: Major Targets Identified in Latest Gunners Rumours

Arsenal have received a boost in their pursuit of Palermo sensation Paulo Dybala and identified Bayer Leverkusen stopper Bernd Leno as an alternative to long-term target Petr Cech.

Despite reports on Thursday that Juventus had snapped up the Argentinian forward on a five-year contract, per Football-Italia.net, Juve manager Massimiliano Allegri is adamant that a deal has not yet been done.

Per Bruce Archer of the Express, he said: “I won’t talk about players from other teams. He’s not yet a Juventus player.”

This news will be welcomed by Arsene Wenger, who is keen to bolster his attacking options this summer.

Alessandro Fucarini/Associated Press

The 21-year-old has scored 13 goals and made 10 assists in Serie A this season, per WhoScored.com, and the creative forward would fit the Gunners' high-tempo, intricate play.

Dybala has created 60 chances this season, bettered only by Alexis Sanchez and Santi Cazorla in Arsenal's squad, and has successfully completed 87 take-ons in his 33 appearances (h/t Squawka). 

The striker is both a more prolific scorer and effective creator than Danny Welbeck, and his movement up front will complement the excellent Olivier Giroud, as well as adding more depth should the Frenchman get injured again.

The forward has impressed the Guardian's James Horncastle, who also notes that Dybala has not ruled out a move to England:

The Gunners clearly face stiff competition for Dybala so would do well to make a move sooner rather than later to avoid missing out.

Should Arsenal miss out on their other top summer target Cech, they have a viable alternative in mind.

Frank Augstein/Associated Press

According to Simon Jones of the Daily Mail, via Charles Perrin of the Express, Arsenal have scouted Leno and could activate the 23-year-old's £13 million release clause.

According to Perrin, Leno has spoken of the appeal of leaving Germany for pastures new. He said: "The foreign option is certainly appealing. A new language, a new culture—that I could definitely even imagine."

The 'keeper is well thought of in Germany and with good reason, as WhoScored.com note:

Leno has also impressed Bleacher Report's own Bundesliga expert Clark Whitney:

The German has an impressive record of 15 clean sheets in 32 Bundesliga appearances this season, comparable to David Ospina's record of seven shut-outs in 15 (h/t Squawka). 

Leno would not be as significant an upgrade on Ospina as Cech but at 23 has a long and bright future ahead of him.

However, unless Arsenal part ways with Wojciech Szczesny this summer, it is unlikely they will make a move for a new man between the sticks.