Arsenal Transfer News: Top Rumours, Latest Stars Eyed by Arsene Wenger's Gunners

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is reportedly "among a clutch of Premier League bosses keen on signing" Leicester City star N'Golo Kante this summer after revealing he is a fan of the midfielder.

According to Darren Lewis of the Mirror, the Frenchman said: "I think he will play in the European Championships, and for me he was one of the players of the year in the Premier League."

However, Wenger would not be drawn on speculation linking the Gunners with a move: "I cannot tell you anything now. He is under contract with Leicester. I am sure if Leicester want to sell him, they will find some buyers."

While the Foxes are eager to keep their title-winning stars, they "are understood already to have admitted defeat in their battle to keep him," according to Lewis.

Arsenal have long needed a reliable ball-winner in midfield who can add steel and resilience to the side—something they've evidently lacked this season after seeing their title challenge fall away disastrously with just four wins in the last 10 Premier League matches.

Kante is the perfect candidate to do so. As WhoScored.com revealed, the 25-year-old is exceptional at tackling:

His reading of the game is magnificent, which allows him to also make a huge number of interceptions—according to Squawka he has made 148 in the Premier League this season. He averages a tackle or an interception once every nine minutes.

Bleacher Report UK's Sam Tighe voted for him for the Football Writers' Association's Footballer of the Year award:

Former Leicester striker Gary Lineker and journalist Kristian Sturt are also among his ever-growing list of admirers:

The Gunners already have the impressive Mohamed Elneny and Francis Coquelin in their squad, and a prolific goalscorer should be among their priorities this summer, but signing Kante would be a huge step toward them offering a sustained title challenge next season.

Meanwhile, Arsenal may face competition from Manchester United and Manchester City for West Ham United youngster Reece Oxford.

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According to the Sun's Anthony Chapman, the Gunners are interested in the 17-year-old, but City have been keeping tabs on him throughout the season, while United have also scouted him recently. Indeed, according to Chapman, the Red Devils are seemingly "in the driving seat for Oxford’s signature."

Per Bleacher Report UK, Arsenal supporter Oxford impressed on his debut as a 16-year-old against the Gunners on the first day of the 2015/16 season:

The youngster, who primarily plays in defence for the Irons youth team, has made just six further league outings this season—unsurprising given his age and the form enjoyed by West Ham's more senior players.

Because of his youth, he's not likely to have an instant impact at any of the interested parties. The Hammers' recognition of his potential with a new contract earlier in the season means any club hoping to poach him will likely have to pay over the odds to get him, so he could be quite a gamble.