Arsenal Transfer News: Arsene Wenger Plans Squad Overhaul, Top Targets, Rumours

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is said to be planning a "major shake-up" at the Emirates Stadium this summer, with the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Toni Kroos, John Stones and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang eyed as part of his "major rebuild."

The Mirror's John Cross reported on Thursday that Wenger feels "let down" by his current squad and could also be willing to sell the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Kieran Gibbs as part of this summer's "big clear-out."

Frank Augstein/Associated Press

Pressure from the club's support looks to have finally had its impact, and Wenger will reportedly bow to the fans and splash the cash entering the final year of his Arsenal contract.

The 66-year-old is also in a race to keep his most prized assets, however, and Cross cited reports linking the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil with a summer exit following the Gunners' collapse this season.

Wenger has signed just one senior outfield player since January 2015—winter recruit Mohamed Elneny—and the squad has suffered this season after enduring an injury quagmire in recent months.

However, Ozil took to Twitter to reassure fans he won't be going anywhere and is as confident as ever in the coaching talents of boss Wenger, whom he credited as a major reason why he joined the club in the first place:

Ibrahimovic could be viewed as a realistic target considering his Paris Saint-Germain contract is set to expire at the end of this season, and Wenger's new urge to spend big could account for the Swede's huge wages.

However, former Arsenal star Paul Merson told Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday that Wenger would never make a move for the 34-year-old, who would struggle to fit in with the strict order of the Emirates:

"

He's got to play the game with the fans sometimes. He gets asked about Zlatan Ibrahimovic. All you have to do is turn around and say 'I'd love to get him, if he wants to come to London I want him'—and the fans would be happy. If you don't get him, then you don't get him—but don't say 'oh, I'm not sure'.

Ibrahimovic is a winner. He's won 13 trophies in so many leagues. Of course, Wenger isn't going to sign him because he's going to question him. He doesn't want someone sitting in the dressing room questioning him. He doesn't want people to come in after the game and start tearing it up. He just wants people to come in and recover.

Last year (Karim) Benzema didn't come in and he said (Olivier) Giroud's going to get more goals then Benzema. Seriously?

"

Borussia Dortmund ace Aubameyang is also understood to be a target for Arsenal, but Danny Welbeck's recent strain of scoring form means midfield and defence are reportedly considered the priorities this summer.

Everton centre-back Stones has been linked with a move to the capital in the past, and Chelsea made three bids for the player last summer, the largest of which was valued at £30 million, per BBC Sport.

Merseyside writer Richard Buxton has speculated the 21-year-old could leave Goodison Park this summer, too:

Kroos and Southampton anchor Victor Wanyama would form the pivot for Wenger's "dream XI" in 2016-17, according to Cross, with no space for the likes of Francis Coquelin, Santi Cazorla and injury-plagued Jack Wilshere.

The central recruits may be needed with the ageing trio of Mikel Arteta, 33, Tomas Rosicky, 35, and Mathieu Flamini, 32, all set to depart the north London outfit and leave a considerable void in the midfield options.

Petr Cech, Hector Bellerin, Laurent Koscielny and Nacho Monreal are all tipped to keep their places, but it appears there may not be much security after that following a withered campaign.

Wenger's time at Arsenal could be drawing to an end, and reports indicate he could throw tradition to the wind, take advantage of the club's available funds and assemble his dream lineup this summer.