Arsenal Transfer News: Victor Wanyama Offer Set for January, Top Gunners Rumours

Arsenal will have to shell out more than £15 million in January if they're to land the signature of Southampton midfielder Victor Wanyama, who has become the No. 1 target for Arsene Wenger's side.

The Mirror's John Cross reported they have the funds needed to complete Wanyama's transfer, but Wenger responded to speculation on Friday, insisting his team are not in for Wanyama, per James Olley of the London Evening Standard:

Cross then took to social media himself to question why the north Londoners continue to scout Wanyama, clearly of the understanding Wenger is more interested than he lets on:

Central midfielders Francis Coquelin and Santi Cazorla have both been ruled out for the foreseeable future with injuries, while ageing figures Mikel Arteta and Tomas Rosicky, 33 and 35 years old respectively, have barely featured this term.

Wanyama is seen as a realistic target after handing in a transfer request over the summer in an attempt to force through a move to Tottenham Hotspur. The Kenyan is now back playing a prominent role at St. Mary's but recently stated he holds no regrets over his decision, per MailOnline's Sam Cunningham:

"

I know what happened wasn’t easy. I just wanted to put it aside and concentrate on my football and try to help the team. I don’t regret it, but I don’t want to have those experiences again. I want to forget it and to do that I need to help the team and the manager who has helped me as well.

If I was a fan I also wouldn’t be impressed if I saw an important player getting interest from elsewhere, but it’s nature, it’s football. The fans have been good, they have backed me and I really appreciate that. Hopefully we will deliver something food [sic] for them this season.

"

It's been two-and-a-half years since Wanyama moved to the south coast from Celtic for a fee of £12.5 million, which made him the first Kenyan to feature in the Premier League.

It's understood Wanyama wanted to be reunited with former Saints manager Mauricio Pochettino at White Hart Lane, but Arsenal may look to capitalise on his willingness to make a switch to north London.

Metro's Primeira Liga expert Jan Hagen touched upon the Gunners' reported interest in Sporting Lisbon's William Carvalho and Porto starlet Ruben Neves, but he acknowledged Wanyama as a proven Premier League player:

Although Southampton have proved to be difficult negotiators in recent years when it comes to selling their stars, Ronald Koeman's side have been willing to do business. Morgan Schneiderlin and Luke Shaw are now at Manchester United, while Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren both moved to Liverpool in 2014.

Ex-Arsenal maestro Robert Pires has also encouraged his old club to move for Wanyama, according to BBC Sport's Oluwashina Okeleji:

It's Southampton's ability to recruit well that's allowed them to sell some of their most prized assets and continue to succeed, but doing business in the winter market is always a more difficult pursuit.

The temptation for Arsenal and Wenger would be to wait until summer when better deals are available, but the club is paying the price after failing to recruit properly in the last window and may see their hand forced.