Arsenal Transfer News: Huge Sergio Busquets and Karim Benzema Rumours

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has requested the signing of Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets, according to Spanish publication Sport.

It is suggested Busquets is included on a "list of reinforcements" Wenger handed to his superiors and that he is being eyed with a view to taking Francis Coquelin's defensive-midfield role. Although Barca and Busquets are adverse to the sale, "the Gunners will put together a financial package to change minds," per Football Espana.

Fichajes (h/t Jamie Sanderson of Metro) indicated Wenger is also willing to drop £40.5 million on Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, having previously seen a £30.3 million offer turned down. Having only lured goalkeeper Petr Cech to the club this summer, it now seems the media expect Wenger to spend lavishly with 35 days of the transfer window remaining.

A cryptic Instagram post from Benzema does nothing to halt speculation, as shown below and translated by Tom Coast of Sport Witness:

Busquets signed a new four-year contract extension in February, as reported by Barca's official website. He is a key cog in the Blaugrana's era of success and continues to dominate the Catalan side's midfield with his excellent distribution skills.

Wenger needs an alternative to Coquelin—whose mobility and hard-hitting style propelled him into the Gunners' lineup last season—despite the player's improvements. Busquets has won it all and is able to patrol the halfway line in a manner that allows Barca's attackers to bomb forward.

He is reaching his peak at 27 years old and remains vital at this time of transition for Barca. Coach Luis Enrique complemented Busquet's dictatorial style by adding the more combative Ivan Rakitic to his side last season, a pair that bring great balance to the centre. He'd no doubt excel in the Premier League, where his style of play is replicated by Manchester United's Michael Carrick.

Jean Catuffe/Getty Images

Wenger continues to remain coy over Arsenal's reported transfer targets and has suggested he isn't looking to spend copious amounts to improve the team. He plans to prioritise the development of young talent before dropping major cash, reported Matt Barlow of the MailOnline:

"

We want to combine stronger financial resources with faith in our philosophy. We want to give chances to young players, build them inside the club with our culture. 

Most clubs who have been successful have done that well. 

You can take Barcelona or Manchester United, who had a generation and built their success on players who came from within. 

These are our values and it is our DNA. It's important we keep that.

"

Kike Marin of El Confidencial believes Benzema remains the side's No. 1 target, though: 

Despite this, Wenger doesn't appear to be too fussed over signing a new striker:

Juventus target man Fernando Llorente could be a cheaper option, as reported by Tancredi Palmeri of beIN Sports:

B/R UK's Sam Tighe recently graded Arsenal's transfer window so far:

It's obvious that Busquets and Benzema would be sensational buys for the club, but neither appear likely to leave Spain at the current time. Wenger's decision to remain non-committal over signing a new goalscorer is well-calculated and highlights how there's few value-for-money options on the current market.

Arsenal need a smattering of extra talent to push on from last season's third-place finish. Chelsea, Manchester City, United and Liverpool continue to strengthen ahead of what stands to be a highly competitive Premier League season. The Gunners, for all their hard work, could find themselves in regression if further talent isn't acquired.