Arsenal Transfer News: Harry Redknapp Talks Signings, Aleksandr Kokorin Rumours

The lack of transfer movement at Arsenal has been highlighted by Harry Redknapp, who says the club needs three more players in order to challenge for the Premier League, one of whom could be Russia striker Aleksandr Kokorin.

Former Tottenham Hotspur boss Redknapp took to Kicca on Tuesday, insisting Arsenal will be left short-handed if they were to suffer an injury crisis and must delve into the market, per the Mirror's Hamish McKay:

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If Arsenal get one or two injuries that back four looks vulnerable. [Laurent] Koscielny does seem to pick up a few knocks and I reckon they probably need three players if they’re going to mount a challenge this year.

They need another central defender, I still think they need another midfielder and they need a centre forward. I fancied Arsenal before the start of the season but now, going on what I’ve seen I’d revise that – there are only two runners this season, Manchester City and Chelsea and you’d have to fancy Man City so far. If Arsenal can add to the squad it would make a big difference.

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A great deal of Arsenal fans would be inclined to agree, but sealing major deals has proven to be difficult this summer, with £10 million goalkeeper Petr Cech their only major signing so far.

Arsenal ran out a 0-0 stalemate at home to Liverpool on Monday evening, but Sky Sports pundit and former Manchester United defender Gary Neville questioned Arsene Wenger's transfer logic prior to that result:

Neville pinpointed Arsenal's lack of "powerful" players as being the reason behind their demise in recent years, and many fans would assuredly like to see a specialised holding force arrive in midfield particularly.

The north Londoners have gained a reputation for being somewhat frugal in the transfer market, but FourFourTwo's Sam Pilger hails the more positive side to that lack of heavy spending:

Manchester United and Manchester City have made substantial moves this summer in their bids to return to silverware contention, but Wenger seems adamant to lean largely on the resources already at his disposal.

It's been highlighted by talkSPORT's Drive programme that Arsenal's model may not be doing its job properly if they have no money to place on transfers:

Gabriel Paulista arrived at the cub in January to go some way in solving the club's centre-back woes, but it's widely believed there are still improvements to be made in central midfield and up front.

Redknapp insists the Gunners have some spending to do before they can be considered title challengers once again, but time is sharply ticking down with less than a week left in the summer window.

Arsenal Claim Pole Position in Kokorin Chase

Latest reports insist Arsenal will beat Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur to the signing of Dynamo Moscow forward Kokorin this week in their bid to offer Olivier Giroud more competition.

That's according to Russian outlet Gazeta (via Metro's Will Giles), with Paris Saint-Germain and Zenit St. Petersburg also said to be interested in his services.

As mentioned in Giles' report, Karim Benzema recently stated his love for Real Madrid on Twitter to rule out any chance of a move to north London, taking to his official Twitter account on Monday:

Giroud has been seen as a capable attacking bastion for Wenger's side, but questions have been raised as to whether he's of the same quality as those striking figures boasted by the other Premier League elite.

Debate may arise as to whether Kokorin should be considered any upgrade, though, with Squawka Dave detailing his record of eight goals in 27 Russian Premier League appearances as not all that impressive:

Rather than merely adding another contender to their ranks, Arsenal fans most likely desire a clear improvement in attack, a player capable of demoting Giroud to the bench.

Kokorin's agent, Christophe Yutto, was previously quoted by Metro's George Bellshaw as saying "there is every reason to believe he will end up at either Manchester United or Tottenham."

Arsenal look to have pipped their English rivals in the hunt, although he may not be the signing fans were hoping for.