Arsenal Transfer News: Arsene Wenger's Summer Targets Named in Latest Rumours

Arsenal are incredibly close to being a complete unit, with just a few tweaks needed in certain positions before they really start to challenge for the Premier League title once again.

One of those positions is between the posts, with Chelsea’s second-in-command stopper, Petr Cech, the front-runner to take the Gunners’ No. 1 shirt.

Czech outlet Radio Praha (via Metro) recently reported that a £10 million deal had been discussed with the Blues for Cech’s services, but it’s all still very much up in the air.

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And the latest developments in the saga have seen Thibaut Courtois’ father express his desire to see the goalkeeper remain at Stamford Bridge.

Thierry Courtois took to Twitter to beg Cech not to swap west for north London:

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is another who wants the Czech Republic star to remain in blue, as he said that without him, the title may not have been won last season, via Colin Harvey of the Daily Star:

"

He’s a legend this club but he’s a legend at 32 years old which is a very young legend for a goalkeeper. One of our strengths this season was to have the two best goalkeepers in the Premier League. I don’t know if we could be champions if he hadn’t played these seven matches. His contribution was decisive.

"

The now-33-year-old stopper is still one of the best in the business despite losing his place in the Chelsea side to Courtois, and his quest for regular, first-team football will be fulfilled at the Emirates.

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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger needs his powers of persuasion to be finely tuned in the pursuit of Cech, then, as he’d be a worthy expense for the club.

In his Independent column (h/t ITV), Manchester United legend Paul Scholes echoed such a sentiment, saying that the Red Devils should move for Cech, who still has plenty to offer:

"Cech has only just turned 33. He could potentially play another six years for United. There would be no concern about having to give him time to play his way into the position or the demands that the Premier League makes of a goalkeeper new to the country."

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It now seems that Arsenal’s task is winning the race to sign Cech, and should he make the switch, the Gunners will finally have a formidable presence in the net.

Jackson Martinez

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From one end of the pitch to the other now, as Arsenal are reportedly closing in on the signing of Porto’s Jackson Martinez, as Tony Banks of the Daily Express reports.

Banks writes that the Gunners are set to leave the Portuguese giants without a paddle by triggering Martinez’s release clause, believed to be around the £24.7 million mark.

The Colombian was one of the stars of the season for Porto, scoring 28 goals in all competitions, according to WhoScored.com.

His electric pace combined with dynamic finishing ability made him a real handful for defences across Portugal and in Europe, and Wenger is hoping for a slice of such brilliance.

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Regardless of whether Wenger sees Martinez as a replacement for Olivier Giroud in a one-man attack remains to be seen, but it’s safe to say he’d forge a good partnership with the Frenchman.

One of Martinez’s strengths is his movement, and if he feeds off Giroud’s fantastic knock-down ability, then Arsenal could have a truly dangerous striking duo.

The great thing for Wenger is that if that’s what he wants, Porto can’t stand in the way.

Club president Nuno Pinto da Costa conceded as much, saying that as much as they want to keep the striker, they’re powerless to big-money bids, per Banks:

“He’s a player we want to keep, but we cannot stop someone paying the clause.”

Alvaro Barrientos/Associated Press

So, the chance is there for Arsenal to bring a world-class striker to their ranks and further improve the squad; it’s all just a case of whether Wenger fancies taking it.

The Gunners are a few players shy of being a football superpower again, and it’s safe to say that with Cech and Martinez on board, they’re edging closer to their goal.