Arsenal Transfer News: Aleksandr Kokorin Loan Rejected by Dynamo, Fresh Rumours

Andrey Kolebev, the manager of Dynamo Moscow, has revealed Arsenal failed in a bid to sign the club’s star striker Aleksandr Kokorin this summer because they only wanted him on loan.

The Gunners didn't sign any outfield player in the previous transfer window, leaving them light in a few areas on the field. But it seems as though manager Arsene Wenger did try to land the Russian international, although Kolebev hinted the striker deserved a little more respect than a team bidding for him on loan.

“There were substantial discussions on Kokorin, but it did not happen,” said the Dynamo manager, per Marc Williams of the Daily Star. “We vetoed a loan. I believe that Aleksandr deserves more than a loan.”

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Arsenal definitely could have done with another player at the sharp end of the pitch. While Theo Walcott has performed well at the point of the attack in recent weeks, questions remain about whether or not he is a long-term solution for the Gunners as a possible No. 9.

As we can see here courtesy of FourFourTweet, he certainly seems to be an ideal foil for the intricate talents of Arsenal’s key playmaker, Mesut Ozil:

Questions do remain about Walcott doing it against the very top sides, though, with his finishing erratic and hold-up play still unrefined. Meanwhile, Olivier Giroud is a forward who has good control, but doesn’t offer a dynamic threat in behind, thus allowing opposition players to flood central areas and stop Arsenal’s passing flow.

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Kokorin is somewhere in between Walcott and Giroud. The Russia international is a strong runner, decent with his back to goal and a competent finisher. He’s a player who has natural poaching instincts, too, regularly finding space in the penalty area and firing off snap shots at goal, per WhoScored.com:

Still, there’s a lingering sense of unfulfilled potential when it comes to Kokorin. When he first burst onto the scene in 2012-13  he seemed set to be the next major talent to emerge from Russia. But in the seasons since he’s not quite lived up to those expectations at either club or international level.

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There’s still time for the 24-year-old to revitalise his career. Here’s a look at what he can offer at his very best:

Arsenal wouldn’t be the ideal place to do so. The Gunners may need options in the centre-forward position, but Kokorin wouldn’t be a major upgrade on either Giroud or Walcott at this juncture. For Wenger, if he is going to bring in a forward, it needs to be a player of high class to give Arsenal a clinical edge.

Kokorin would likely find himself rotated in and out of the side, which would do little for his development. There’s a great chance for him to nail down a starting spot at Dynamo, having begun six of their 11 league games so far. If he can recapture the sparkle that was on show a few seasons ago, illustrious names like Arsenal may be willing to take him on a permanent deal.

Gotze Going Nowhere

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Reported Arsenal target Mario Gotze has revealed he has no intention of leaving Bayern Munich.

As noted by Chisanga Malata of the Daily Star, the Gunners have been linked with a move for the midfielder in the past. However, he has told Suddeutsche Zeitung he’s not looking for a transfer at the moment, per Malata’s piece:

"

I made my own mistakes but I've also had to withstand a lot of things that have been twisted. The last two years were certainly like a ripening process for me.

I feel very happy here, I am glad to be a Bayern player. I would love to be the face of Bayern. I've played a big role (for the club) in the first two years and I want to play an even greater part. I never dealt with a transfer, it's quite possible that other clubs had interest but I had no interest in leaving Bayern.

"

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Gotze has struggled to nail down a regular spot in a star-studded Bayern Munich attack, with manager Pep Guardiola able to call upon a host of quality players in advanced areas. Still, there’s no denying the quality of the Germany international and given time on the field, he will show it at the Allianz Arena. 

If minutes do fail to materialise, Gotze may be prompted into looking for another club further down the line. Even so, Arsenal, with their riches of attacking midfield options, may not be the best destination for him anyway.