Arsenal Transfer News: Latest Sadiq Umar and Zlatan Ibrahimovic Rumours

Arsenal will reportedly make a record bid to sign Nigerian striker Sadiq Umar, while the Gunners are also said to have a chance to sign Paris Saint-Germain frontman Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Either player would solve Arsenal's biggest problem this season: a lack of goals. The Gunners have found the net just 46 times in 29 top-flight games, according to the Premier League's official site, emphasising the need for attacking reinforcements.

Umar is emerging as a prime candidate to be one of those reinforcements. Website All Nigeria Soccer (h/t James Cambridge of the Sunday Express) has reported that an initial bid of £15.7 million was knocked back, but that Arsenal intend to up their offer:

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However, it's understood it was turned down and the Gunners will now return with a second offer that could be a record transfer fee for a Nigerian teenager.

Umar’s transfer fee is understood to equal the sum paid by Chelsea to acquire John Obi Mikel from Norwegian club Lyn in June 2006.

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Cambridge also detailed how Umar has impressed in reserve action, scoring 16 times, and that he "has also bagged two goals in six appearances for the Roma senior team."

Umar's agent has confirmed Arsenal interest to All Nigeria Soccer (h/t Cambridge): “Yes, there is interest from Arsenal, but at this moment nothing is done. Contact was made with Roma, so we will see where it takes us in the next few days/weeks.”

However, the issue becomes complicated, since Umar is technically on loan from Spezia. But there is a buying option for Roma in the contract, according to Transfermarkt.

The phrasing of the latest reports certainly makes it sound as though Arsenal will be doing business with Roma if any transfer can eventually be agreed, even if those reports differ on the fees involved. Italian source La Repubblica (h/t Metro's Will Giles) suggested Arsenal need only bid £11.6 million to seal the deal.

Whatever the fee, it's a lot to pay for a 19-year-old, even if "due to his physical characteristics and playing style, Umar has been dubbed the next Nwankwo Kanu back in his homeland," according to Cambridge.

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

While he may compare well to a former key player from Wenger's glorious past, the teenager is far from the established, lethal finisher many fans feel the club needs.

Thierry Henry Suggests Ibrahimovic is Keen on Arsenal Move

One ex-Arsenal striker has generated some buzz by claiming Ibrahimovic wants to join the Gunners.

Thierry Henry recently made the claim on Sky Sports after the goalless draw between Norwich City and Manchester City in the Premier League (h/t Goal's Stephen Darwin): "Who can we sign? Who's available? I hear that Zlatan Ibrahimovic wants to come."

This isn't the first time a former player has suggested the Gunners should snap Ibrahimovic up. Rio Ferdinand recently told BT Sport (h/t Callum Davis of the Daily Telegraph) that the prolific Swede would be the ideal addition to Wenger's squad: "He would give them [Arsenal] that winning mentality. He can be the catalyst to winning things because that's what he does."

In terms of an attitude adjustment, Ferdinand is right about the impact Ibrahimovic would have at the Emirates Stadium. Wenger's current group appears altogether too comfortable, even sluggish at times. What the players need is a provocative personality who will challenge teammates and act as a leader on the pitch.

Ibrahimovic can be that player when he's at his best. His agent has suggested the forward may pursue a Premier League move once his contract in the French capital expires this summer, via Ben Reynolds of Sky Sports.

Ibrahimovic recently scored a ton of goals in France's top flight in record time, according to OptaJean:

The mark was set by Ibrahimovic's four goals in the 9-0 away win over Troyes that wrapped up the Ligue 1 title, per ESPN FC's Jonathan Johnson, who gave the Swede full marks for his brilliant display.

That performance has the PSG president hoping Ibrahimovic will stick around a little longer, via Johnson:

But convincing the striker to move on would be a massive coup for Wenger, a manager besieged by pressure amid a disappointing season. Ibrahimovic is in the winter of his career at 34, but he's still a marquee star who delivers in crunch moments and wins everywhere he goes.

Signing Ibrahimovic would lift the mood around Arsenal, one that is turning increasingly fractious. Adding both Umar and PSG's talisman would give Wenger more options up front next season, options that could ensure success in the present as well as help safeguard Arsenal's future prospects.