Arsenal Transfer News: Latest Players, Rumours Linked to Arsene Wenger's Gunners

Arsenal are reportedly weighing up a second bid for Leicester City’s teenage starlet Ben Chilwell, whom they tried and failed to sign back in the summer—per John Percy of the Daily Telegraph.

On that occasion, the Foxes knocked back a £3.5 million bid for the left-back’s services, yet it seems Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is ready to test the water again with an improved offer.

Chilwell was one of Leicester’s standout performers in their recent FA Cup third-round replay defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, displaying maturity beyond his tender 19 years.

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Foxes manager Claudio Ranieri was one of many impressed by the youngster’s midweek exploits, as he told reporters that Chilwell has a bright future at the King Power Stadium—via Percy of the Daily Telegraph:

"Ben is our future and he stays with us. He had a very great match against Spurs, he was sure and outstanding. I am very surprised with how well he played, but that is what I wanted."

Percy also revealed that Chilwell’s current deal, which expires at the end of next season, sees him take home just £800 per week—and Arsenal could well look to exploit that.

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However, Leicester are said to be ready to open talks on a new contract with the Englishman, who now needs to decide which club will best enable him to fulfil his exciting potential.

Chilwell has already proved good enough to cut it in the Championship this season, as he spent a successful loan spell with Huddersfield Town at the start of the campaign.

There he demonstrated exactly what he can bring to the table: awareness, composure, excitement and an expert delivery. Here’s a reminder of why Wenger is so keen on landing his signature:

First-team chances will be few and far between at the Emirates should Chilwell decide to make the switch, with Nacho Monreal holding down the left-back role, and that could well see the Englishman opt to stay with the Foxes.

Elsewhere, Stoke City have entered the race for Gunners target Giannelli Imbula, who’s failed to settle into life with Portuguese giants Porto.

Arsenal have been tracking the midfielder for some time, but the Daily Mirror claims that the Potters are ready to break the transfer record with a £19 million bid for his services—via David Wright of the Daily Express.

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Imbula only signed with Porto in the summer from Marseille for a deal worth a reported £15 million, yet the player’s agent Willy Ndangi says the club no longer want him on their books:

“We know that Porto want to sell Giannelli. At the moment we haven't had any contact with other clubs, but we could talk to some sides."

Arsenal are one of those sides that could talk to Imbula, but they’ll have to match Stoke’s big-money bid if they’re to stand a chance of bringing him to the Emirates.

January transfer business is something of a rarity at the Emirates, yet with the Gunners in their best position to win the Premier League for a decade, it could prove incredibly important.

Wenger has already dipped his hand into his apparently bottomless pocket this month, and you get the sense he could well need to do it again if Arsenal are to reap Premier League glory.