Arsenal Transfer News: Latest Grzegorz Krychowiak Rumours

Arsenal have been linked with a £33 million bid for Sevilla's Grzegorz Krychowiak in the January transfer window. The move would solve the Gunners' injury issues in midfield and add some toughness and defensive resolve at the base of midfield.

Manager Arsene Wenger is apparently ready to pay a pretty penny to secure those qualities this winter, according to the Sun. The report states Wenger has been tracking the resourceful Polish international "for more than a year."

He's even been tempted to make his move earlier, but his reluctance to do so will now cost the Frenchman:

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And he is convinced Krychowiak, 25, can give his team the push they need to win their first Premier League title since 2004. Wenger first thought about a move for Krychowiak last summer but baulked at Sevilla’s £22m asking price.

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Wenger’s summer dithering over Krychowiak means the player’s asking price has rocketed by 50 per cent as a result of the new contract he signed with Sevilla last month.

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Yet despite the cost, in January the Gunners will have the fiscal resources to retool their injury-hit squad. But convincing 25-year-old Krychowiak to actually make the move from La Liga to England's top flight won't be easy.

He's already indicating a reluctance to turn his back on Sevilla: “I will only change clubs if I can’t take a step forward here like I did when I left Reims.”

He's also recently expressed comments suggesting he won't warm to the climate in England, according to the Daily Telegraph: "A future in England? It’s too cold there."

Clearing space for Kychowiak's hefty weekly wage would also be a problem. But the Sun suggests Wenger can make room by moving on veteran trio Mikel Arteta, Mathieu Flamini and Tomas Rosicky this summer.

Darko Bandic/Associated Press

Their exits would free up £200,000 per week. Plans are apparently already in place for two members of that trio.

Arteta is being lined up for a possible coaching role, according to Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail. Meanwhile, Frenchman Flamini will leave the north London club once his contract runs out at the end of this season, per John Cross of the Daily Mirror.

It's Flamini who is currently carrying the burden as Arsenal's lone enforcer in the middle. He's providing a tough-tackling complement to roving playmaker Aaron Ramsey.

As well as Flamini has played recently though, Krychowiak would certainly be an upgrade. He's more physically imposing and plays with a genuinely aggressive streak.

His height and brawn also make him useful as an auxiliary central defender if needed. These are attributes that would certainly be at home in the rough and rowdy environment of the Premier League.

They are also qualities the Gunners have lacked for too long. Arsenal's midfield hasn't been underpinned by a natural and robust holding player since the days when Gilberto Silva let Patrick Vieira then Cesc Fabregas roam free.

Francis Coquelin has provided an improved platform, but his injury has only highlighted the shortage of a similar style of player in the Arsenal ranks.

Ben Radford/Getty Images

Wenger's depleted current squad needs both a central midfield and a striker this January. Better depth and more options in both positions can inspire a more sustained title challenge than in recent seasons.

Krychowiak is a specific talent who is worth the large cost for a title-chasing Arsenal team increasingly thin in the middle.