Arsenal Transfer News: Vincent Koziello, William Carvalho, Fresh Gunners Rumours

Arsenal have scouted Nice midfielder Vincent Koziello ahead of a potential summer move, but they will face competition for his signature from AC Milan.

That's according to Lorenzo Bettoni and Andrea Distaso of Calciomercato, who reported the youngster has firmly established himself in the senior side this season after making his debut last year.

The 20-year-old central midfielder has made 23 Ligue 1 appearances this season—all but two of which have been starts—and has scored and assisted three goals apiece in that time.

As the video below demonstrates, the Frenchman is rapidly developing into an excellent all-round player, equally capable of making a pass or a tackle:

Indeed, according to Squawka, Koziello has maintained a passing accuracy of 90 percent this season, made 51 tackles and successfully completed 22-of-33 attempted take-ons. 

Ligue 1 expert Jonathan Johnson believes Koziello's form this season has been encouraging:

With both Mikel Arteta and Tomas Rosicky potentially on the verge of retirement, according to Wayne Veysey of Football Insider, and at the very least proving highly injury prone in their twilight years, a long-term replacement for the pair could be useful.

Based on Koziello's development this season, he could make a strong candidate.

Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images

Another could be Sporting Lisbon's William Carvalho, but according to the Associated Press (h/t the Daily Mail), the 23-year-old—who has been a target for Arsenal in the past—has signed a new deal with the Portuguese club to keep him there until 2020, which includes a £35 million buyout clause.

Though that should, at least for the time being, put an end to speculation linking him with Arsenal, Portuguese football expert Jan Hagen reported the release fee as being the same as before:

In that case, the contract does not actually hinder the Gunners in terms of being able to approach the player, provided they meet the clause.

However, Carvalho himself will likely be far less willing to move having just agreed a new deal, and manager Arsene Wenger isn't likely to splash so much cash on a position where an addition might be useful but is not desperate.

Michel Euler/Associated Press

In other news, the Gunners have been linked with Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani by Spanish outlet Fichajes (h/t Chisanga Malata of the Daily Star).

However, according to Goal (h/t Malata) a source said: "Edinson will stay with PSG. The problems he has he knows how to deal with them like any professional. He is a team player and certainly does not feel uncomfortable here."

The Uruguayan has scored 14 goals this term but is often forced out wide and has struggled to make an impact since December.

French football writer Andrew Gibney noted how uninvolved he was during a cup match with Toulouse in January:

However, per Gibney, he recently looked to have got back on track:

Assurances of a centre-forward role at the Emirates Stadium could still hold some sway over the 28-year-old come the summer, but given his age—he turns 29 on Valentine's Day—and the money it would take to acquire him, the ever-frugal Wenger isn't likely to target him.