Arsenal Transfer News: Gunners Enter Saul Niguez Race, Latest Rumours

Arsenal have reportedly joined the list of teams who want to sign Atletico Madrid midfield man Saul Niguez this summer, a player heavily linked with the Gunners during the winter window.

Spanish source AS (h/t James Walters of the Daily Star) has reported Arsenal will rival Manchester United for Niguez's signature. That might involve taking advantage of a clause in the player's contract, one detailed by Walters: "The midfielder is under contract until 2020 and has a £18 million release clause in his current agreement with the Spanish giants."

This is far from the first time Niguez has been linked with a move to north London. Back in December, Spanish publication El Confidencial (h/t Metro's Mark Brus) even suggested Niguez "had his bags packed" ahead of a January transfer, if not for an injury to Atleti veteran Tiago.

At the time, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was keen to secure midfield cover for holding players Mikel Arteta and Francis Coquelin. But even with the latter back from injury, the Gunners' need for reinforcements in the middle hasn't gone away.

Arteta is 33 and expected to leave this summer, along with 35-year-old Tomas Rosicky and 31-year-old Mathieu Flamini, according to John Cross of the Daily Mirror.

Such an exodus would naturally leave Wenger's squad thin in midfield. In particular, the Gunners would be short of options for the defensive midfield role.

There isn't an obvious alternative to Coquelin, even if new signing Mohamed Elneny has shown some potential. But Arsenal need a holding player more comfortable in possession than Coquelin. Niguez fits the bill as a player combative enough to shield a defence but also versatile enough to operate further forward.

His best attribute is his energy level, something noted by ESPN FC's Joseph Walker: "A nailed-on starter who is seemingly indefatigable, Saul often covers the most ground of any player on the pitch, whether in his natural role in the centre of the park or out on the left."

Uncredited/Associated Press

An Arsenal side that has lacked urgency and verve too often this season could use a player committed to clocking up the mileage in every game.

Niguez would fit well alongside Coquelin or Elneny to give the Gunners greater graft and a more solid base in the middle.

Ahmed Musa Declares Arsenal Dream

CSKA Moscow attacker Ahmed Musa dreams of one day playing for Arsenal, according to an interview the player gave to Russian source Championat (h/t Metro's Max Miller):

"

Interest from clubs? What club? I do not care!

But Musa has to play, you know. I cannot sit on the bench. So I will have to go to the Premier League club that will believe in me.

I would be happy if I was wanted by Arsenal. I have supported the team since the age of six. Nwankwo Kanu has been my idol since childhood. It will be fantastic to play for Arsenal.

"

A versatile forward who has scored eight goals for CSKA in all competitions, per WhoScored.com, Musa boasts attributes that Wenger usually covets in his attacking players.

Chief among them are pace, varied movement and versatility. Musa can stretch defences and is flexible enough to operate from either flank or even play through the middle.

Wenger needs to add some quality to Arsenal's forward line this summer, after seeing strikers such as Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud struggle for form. Yet he's likely to opt for a more marquee name than Musa.

As for Niguez, he is one player growing his reputation at the highest level. Securing his signature would be a major coup for the Gunners boss and a great way to kick off a necessary rebuild in the summer.