Arsenal Transfer News: Top Names Eyed by Arsene Wenger in Latest Gunners Rumours

Arsenal are set to go toe-to-toe with Chelsea for the signing of FC Sion striker Moussa Konate as the Gunners look to bolster their attacking line.

That’s according to Calciomercato (via Will Giles of Metro), which reported that the prolific Senegalese frontman will be the subject of a January bidding war between the London duo.

Arsenal’s lack of spending over the summer got fans a little hot under the collar, with the club’s striker shortage a particular concern of the Emirates Stadium faithful.

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Torrential transfer window rumours linking the Gunners with Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema again amounted to nothing, yet Konate looks like another star worthy of the famous red shirt.

The 22-year-old has scored seven goals in 10 appearances for Sion in all competitions this season, per WhoScored.com, including a Europa League brace in the recent 2-1 victory over Rubin Kazan.

He’s a different proposition to current Arsenal frontman Olivier Giroud, as he smartly tucks in behind defenders and gets himself in the right place at the right time rather than holding the ball up and bringing others into play.

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For many years, the Gunners have been yearning for an instinctive forward to finish off their flowing moves, and Konate certainly fits the bill. However, he’s not going to come cheap.

The player’s agent, Antoine Issa Kossoko, recently said Sion wouldn’t accept anything less than £10 million for their striker, reported by the Sunday People, (via Joe Short of the Daily Express):

"

Lots of English clubs are interested in Moussa. Chelsea and Arsenal scouts are keeping an eye on him—but he is not obsessed with the Premier League and will consider good offers from Germany, Spain or England. Hannover, Mainz and Bruges were keen on him this summer, offering up to £6 million. But Sion said they would not sell for less than £10 million.

"

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Therefore, it’s up to boss Arsene Wenger to determine whether Konate is worth the outlay. Paying upward of £10 million for a striker who is unproven at the highest level is always a risk, but at 22 years old, the Senegalese star has plenty of room for progression.

Plus, you only have to look at Anthony Martial’s impact at Manchester United to see that some risks are worth taking.

Daniele Rugani

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Arsenal are also looking to add depth to their back line with the capture of Juventus defender Daniele Rugani, according to Calciomercato (h/t Aaron Flanagan of the Daily Mirror).

The 21-year-old has yet to line up for the Old Lady this term, and Wenger is reportedly interested in tempting the youngster into a move to the Premier League.

Rugani rose through the ranks at Empoli before switching to Juventus in 2013, but he spent the last two seasons with his childhood club as part of a co-ownership deal.

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During that time, the centre-back was instrumental in securing a Serie A place for Empoli, demonstrating the credentials that could make him perfect for the Gunners.

Rugani is solid both in the air and on the floor, and he has no hesitation in stepping out of defence and launching attacks, which is something Arsenal are currently missing.

However, it seems it’s only a matter of time before the youngster starts donning the black-and-white stripes, as boss Max Allegri is a big fan, per the club’s official Twitter account:

On top of that, Flanagan wrote that Rugani is determined to work his way into the Juventus team. As such, it seems only a big bid from Wenger will be enough to tempt the Italian champions into a sale.

Either way, it’s clear where Arsenal need to invest if they’re to once again become a European football superpower on the pitch.

A new striker and defender in January could well give the Gunners the platform to mount a serious silverware charge, yet as it stands, the final pieces of Wenger’s puzzle are missing.