Arsenal Transfer News: Top Players, Rumours Linked to Gunners After Quiet Summer

Arsene Wenger has never been one to extravagantly splash the cash during the transfer window, but his policy of keeping his hands firmly in his pockets this summer has proved the last straw for many.

Gunners fans were crying out for a world-class striker to lead their line and propel them toward the top of the domestic and European trees, but the Frenchman remained unmoved.

Time will tell as to how Arsenal will cope without a top-drawer front man in their ranks, although it’s safe to say that January’s window will bring the same pleas from supporters desperate for success.

Here’s a roundup of the latest rumours from the Emirates, as the striker rumours continue to pile up.

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Arsenal were heavily linked with a move for Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani throughout the summer, and those links are unlikely to cease anytime soon.

However, the Gunners could well have a realistic chance of landing their man in the winter window according to recent reports.

Bruce Archer of the Daily Express, citing reports in Spain, writes that the French champions will be willing to part with Cavani in January if the right offer comes around.

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The Uruguay international is currently valued at £45 million—hardly a fee that Wenger should wince at for a striker of such calibre.

Arsenal reportedly had £200 million in their transfer kitty for the summer, and the message from fans to Wenger was a simple one: spend. However, Piers Morgan was one of many disgruntled supporters watching transfer deadline day pass them by on Tuesday:

Indeed, it was something of a shock to see the Emirates so quiet. Danny Welbeck undergoing knee surgery has left Olivier Giroud as the only out-and-out striker at Wenger’s disposal, and it’s clear that reinforcements are needed.

Bleacher Report’s Andy Brassell and Ryan Bailey agreed, saying the Gunners’ lack of activity was one of the shocks of the window:

However, Cavani’s name has been doing the rounds without any end product for some time now, so who else could be heading to the Emirates?

Well, as per Sky Italia (via Michael Butler of the Guardian), Arsenal are considering going back in for Juventus striker Simone Zaza.

The Italian champions reportedly rejected a last-minute bid from the Gunners during the summer, but a £22 million offer has now been lined up for January.

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Butler writes that a loan move isn’t out of the question, either, which would set Wenger back £1.4 million including the star’s wages.

Zaza is yet to prove himself at the highest level, though, and landing him would be a big risk. Not quite an Anthony Martial-style risk but in the same ballpark.

Still, bringing a highly rated striker to the Emirates in January would restore fans’ faith in Wenger and his philosophy.

Let’s hope, for the Frenchman’s sake, that the winter window doesn’t come too late for the Gunners’ hopes of chalking up a major title.