Arsenal Transfer News: Latest on Edinson Cavani and Julian Draxler Rumours

In the wake of Karim Benzema's apparent confirmation he will be staying with Real Madrid, Arsenal have reportedly turned their attention to Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani, who is seemingly ready to join the Gunners.

According to Fichajes.net (via Metro's Will Giles), Cavani is "confident that Arsenal will offer him an exit route out of PSG and is willing to facilitate the move."

With the transfer window set to slam shut at 6 p.m. BST on September 1, time is running out for Arsenal to make the necessary improvements to their squad if they are to challenge for the Premier League title and compete in a Champions League group that contains Bayern Munich.

The signing of Petr Cech earlier in the summer was an excellent start for the Gunners, but since then, not a single new player has arrived through the doors at the Emirates Stadium.

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Arsenal's forward line is one of the key areas in need of improvement in the coming days, and Cavani represents a prolific upgrade, as demonstrated by his 31-goal haul last season.

As B/R's own Jonathan Johnson shared, Cavani has often been forced into a wide position to accommodate Zlatan Ibrahimovic, which the striker appears to be less than enthused with:

Johnson also believes that while the Uruguayan has struggled at times in Paris, particularly in the latter half of his first season, Cavani is now performing well:

According to Giles, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admitted the club aren't close to landing any new players but remains confident they will do more business before the window shuts: 

"

I am always confident that a last-minute situation or solution is available, because the transfer market is especially moving in the last four or five days. But at the moment I cannot promise you that.

We have specific targets but sometimes you get an idea from somebody because you didn’t know that the player you like was available and if you get an opportunity you do it.

We work very hard, you know I have a team around me who work day and night to find good solutions. I am 24 hours available per day, so I am involved in the decision of course, but at the moment we are not close to signing anyone.

"

Arsenal have also been linked with a late move for Schalke midfielder Julian Draxler.

According to Aaron Flanagan of the Mirror, Tuttosport has reported that the Arsenal target "could now be available for as little as £21 million."

The 21-year-old is one of the most exciting players in the Bundesliga outside of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.

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His outstanding technical skills, mazy dribbling and significant goal threat from distance would see him thrive at the Emirates, and he would likely welcome the step up to a club of Arsenal's calibre.

However, the one area the Gunners don't need to strengthen is attacking midfield thanks to the presence of stars such as Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey.

Further, as Flanagan indicated, the Germany international represents a slightly risky prospect because of the injury problems he's suffered in his career.

It's possible that a club of Arsenal's stature will snap up Draxler in the coming years, but he's not likely to arrive at the Emirates this summer.

As for Cavani, the chance to be the main man in north London would probably be tempting. But any move for the 28-year-old will require significant outlay and the player to be strongly angling for the switch, so don't expect a sensational transfer for him before Tuesday.