Arsenal Transfer News: Latest on Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Moussa Sissoko Rumours

Henrikh Mkhitaryan has refused to sign a new contract with Borussia Dortmund and has been "put up for sale" by the Bundesliga giants.

Darren Lewis of the Mirror reported that BVB have been unable to get the Armenia international to sign on the dotted line, opening the door for a switch to the Gunners.

The attacking midfielder is keen to depart BVB because the club "refuse to include a release clause in any new deal," hampering the possibility of a swift exit in future. Dortmund now have a policy of excluding release fees in new deals after losing Mario Gotze to Bayern Munich three years ago.

Lewis added that Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur will contest the player's potential transfer with the Gunners, who scored 18 goals in all competitions last term.

Here is Mkhitaryan in action:

Manager Arsene Wenger has already raided the German league for Granit Xhaka from Borussia Monchengladbach for £30 million.

Mkhitaryan led BVB to the German Cup final at the end of the campaign, but it appears his future now lies away from the Signal Iduna Park.

The midfielder has only a year left on his current deal, according to Lewis, and can walk on a free transfer in 12 months' time. Arsenal are now "favourites" to grab Mkhitaryan and take him to England.

Football writer and journalist Emanuele Giulianelli commented on the Armenian's potential switch to play for Wenger:

FRANCK FIFE/Getty Images

In other news, Newcastle United midfielder Moussa Sissoko has once again stated his desire to feature for Arsenal after the Magpies were relegated to the Championship.

The player told Foot Mercato (h/t Mark Brus of Metro.co.uk):

"

My advisors will also have a discussion with him [Rafa Benitez]. I think that he knows what I want, where I want to go. So I hope that there will not be a problem for me to go and enjoy myself at another club.

[...]

Everyone knows, I often said it when I was young, Arsenal is the club of my heart, because there were quite a few French players there like Thierry Henry, Robert Pires, Sylvain Wiltord, Patrick Vieira who was my idol.

The beautiful Arsenal. We will see. I cannot tell you if I am going to go to Arsenal.

"

Scott Heppell/Associated Press

Sissoko's performances improved greatly under Benitez, but the midfielder couldn't help his team reach survival. 

The France ace is too good to ply his trade in the lower leagues, but it is questionable whether he is good enough for Wenger.

Arsenal will want to challenge on all fronts next term, and the Frenchman would only be a squad player in the Gunners' central berth.