Arsenal Transfer News: Shock Angel Di Maria Rumours Emerge, David Ospina Eyed

Manchester United winger Angel Di Maria "would be of interest" to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, according to the MailOnline's Sami Mokbel.

Mokbel suggests Gunners playmaker Mesut Ozil will be pushed into a No. 10 role next season, a tactical switch which could see Alexis Sanchez played in a more exclusive wide role. Arsenal "would be interested" in Di Maria "provided a deal would fit into their financial framework," according to Mokbel.

However, the Argentinian cost United £59.7 million last summer and he currently earns £280,000 per week at Old Trafford, numbers Arsenal cannot compete with. Di Maria is seemingly a wanted man, as noted by football writer Sam Pilger:

These reports have emerged despite obvious troubles for Di Maria during his debut season in England. He arrived to huge expectation, inflated by his price tag, and continues to mix flashes of brilliance with a struggle to carry out basic tasks in the United setup.

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Only Chelsea's Cesc Fabregas and Arsenal's Santi Cazorla provided more assists than Di Maria's 10, despite him starting just 20 matches last term, per WhoScored.com. He has never been a prolific goalscorer (netting three in 2014-15) and isn't the type of player who is going to regularly reach double figures, so he should be mainly judged on how he sparks United's forwards into life.

Di Maria is blessed with tremendous speed and the ability to slalom between defenders, but he tended to overthink things last season. United boss Louis van Gaal noticed this and rotated him in and out of the side, a decision which was never going to improve the individual's confidence. Di Maria works best when he feeds off instinct and doesn't try to play the killer pass every time he receives possession.

Wenger signed Danny Welbeck from United last summer. However, it seems unlikely United will let Di Maria take the same route, particularly after just one season with the club. The 27-year-old has plenty more to offer and can be the catalyst for future United success if he hits a run of consistent form, as argued by Pilger for B/R UK:

"It would be rash and almost negligent for United to dispense with Di Maria and allow him to take his talents elsewhere.

"United have got through the hard part, the settling-in season, the cultural adjustment, and they should now begin to enjoy the benefit."

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One has to question exactly where Wenger would fit the player in. Alongside Ozil, Sanchez and Welbeck he has Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Joel Campbell and Serge Gnabry to utilise. Other priorities, such as landing a combative defensive midfielder, should be addressed.

Wenger has already solved his goalkeeping problem with the capture of Petr Cech from Chelsea. David Ospina, who drops to No. 2 with the veteran stopper's arrival, is now the subject of a £5 million bid from Everton, according to reports in Colombia, via Marc Williams of the Daily Star.

Ospina enjoyed an excellent showing at the Copa America and has shown glimpses of quality in the Premier League.

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However, he's not dominant from crosses and can be physically bullied at set pieces, similar to current Everton stopper Tim Howard. Ospina is a reactive 'keeper and someone who can make stunning saves when all hope is seemingly lost, highlighted by betway:

Wenger still has Wojciech Szczesny and Damian Martinez in his squad, so he won't be left short if Everton's bid for Ospina proves successful.

Cech's capture is a sign of intent from Wenger. The boss is looking for match-winners and those who know how to win the biggest trophies.

Di Maria falls into this category, but it seems highly unlikely Van Gaal would sanction a move, particularly as the Dutchman wouldn't live it down if the former Real Madrid man hit a stretch of form at the Emirates Stadium.