Arsenal Transfer News: Latest on John Stones and Zlatan Ibrahimovic Rumours

Arsenal are set to battle Chelsea for the services of John Stones, and manager Arsene Wenger is said to be ready to break the bank to land the Everton defender.

Steve Stammers of the Mirror reported that the Frenchman is not afraid to pay a huge fee in excess of £30 million to capture the 21-year-old as he searches for long-term options for his defence. 

The Gunners boss previously splashed £42 million on Mesut Ozil, and £35 million to buy Alexis Sanchez, per Stammers—proving he is not afraid to spend big when one of his primary targets comes onto the transfer market.

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Chelsea were involved in a long courtship of Stones throughout the summer, but the Toffees rejected repeated advances from the Premier League champions as they consider John Terry's successor. 

However, Arsenal will offer Stones an alternative route to London if Everton concede to losing the player, and his capture would give Wenger the foundations to build a title winning side. 

Barcelona star Gerard Pique recently lauded the England international, and named him in his best world XI at present. The Spanish international told the Daily Telegraph's Jason Burt why he rates Stones so highly:

"

Rio Ferdinand and John Terry were the two main central defenders in England. Top-level. Now I think John Stones is a really, really, good player. He will have a good career. He’s like Rio, a bit. He’s young and alongside him they probably need one who is more experienced. Jagielka is injured. But Smalling is playing well at Manchester United.

"

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The MailOnline's Simon Jones said Chelsea will renew their efforts to capture Stones in January. However, their current form puts them in a weaker position than in the summer months.

Arsenal are challenging at the top end of the Premier League, and they might appear a more stable option for Stones if he decides to exit Goodison Park.

Stones has featured 12 times for his club in the Premier League this term, and his maturity far outweighs his short time at the top of English football. 

Chelsea Told To Consider Ibrahimovic

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Swedish international Jonas Olsson has "urged" Chelsea to beat Arsenal to the signing of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, in light of Wenger's reported interest in the mercurial Paris Saint-Germain icon. 

Neil Moxley of the Mirror quoted the West Bromwich Albion player speaking about his international team-mate, after reports suggested the striker prefers a switch to north London if he departs the French capital:

"

For me, he would be a great signing for any team. He’s coming up to 34 now but you all saw the game against Denmark.

He’s at the top of his game. He could play for any team in the Premier League. He’s that good. He’s the strongest player I’ve been up against in my career. It’s not over for him.

I hope he comes. He has played under [Jose] Mourinho before and the only place where he is not 100 per cent appreciated is in the UK.

"

Despite Olsson's comments, Ibrahimovic recently told CNN (h/t Colin Harvey of the Daily Star) he doesn't feel the need to move to England, but he nearly signed for the Gunners on a previous occasion: “Arsenal? I think there is a lot of talk from today until the European [Championships in France]—there will be a lot of talks. I don’t need to play in the Premier League. I was close two times. Arsenal one time. City one time. But it never happened.”

Stones and Ibrahimovic sit at separate ends of the spectrum in terms of being targets for Arsenal, and as the Swede decides where his next stop on his nomadic career is, it is Stones who offers Wenger the platform for long-term success.

The Everton defender has seen his value and reputation rocket during the past 12 months, and he is now ready to move to a Champions League club, playing on football's biggest stage.

Stones' acquisition might break records, but he can give his new employer a decade of service and the solidity to win titles every season.

This element makes him one of English football's prized talents, and the club that wins the race for Stones will see huge benefits for many years to come.