Arsenal Transfer News: Latest James Rodriguez, Marcel Tisserand Rumours

Arsenal are reportedly tempted to make a £51.5 million bid for Real Madrid's James Rodriguez. Los Blancos are determined to sell their Colombian playmaker this summer and have quoted the Gunners and Premier League rivals Chelsea that fee, according to reports from Spain.

Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo (h/t Metro's Mark Brus) has stated James has fallen out of favour with Real manager Zinedine Zidane. The report also suggested it's Arsenal who are the keenest suitor for the player: "Arsenal are joined by Chelsea in chasing Rodriguez, but it is claimed that it is the Gunners who are surprisingly most willing to pay the big money required to snap him up."

This comes after news from Spanish source AS (h/t the Sun's Matt Heath-Smith) that Chelsea have already offered £60 million for the South American schemer. The same source also recently detailed how Arsenal backup goalkeeper David Ospina, the brother-in-law of James, has been trying to convince the player to reject the Blues for north London.

Near the end of last season, Dean Jones ran the rule over best possible destinations for James, naming Chelsea, Juventus, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain as the top prospects while leaving the Gunners out of the equation. However, plenty has changed for all five teams during the summer.

At first glance, the last thing Arsenal's squad needs is another attacking midfielder. Not with Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey already on the books. Not with Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Alexis Sanchez and Alex Iwobi available to play wide. Not when a striker and centre-back are more pressing transfer priorities.

However, there is still good reason to believe a player with James' qualities is needed at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners' recent 0-0 draw with Leicester City showed how much Arsenal lack a spark in the final third without Ozil, the club's record signing who has been rested since participating for Germany at UEFA Euro 2016.

Ozil came off the bench late on against the Foxes and immediately added pace and ingenuity to Arsenal's attacking play. The problem, though, is that the German can become swamped in matches where opponents clog the middle.

What the Gunners need is a creative wide player to take the heat off Ozil. James can be that man thanks to his pace, vision and flair.

He's shown he can operate on either flank or as a No. 10 off the main striker and provide technical quality and goals. James did both when he starred for Colombia at the 2014 FIFA World Cup ahead of moving to the Spanish capital.

The main concern is his temperament, however. Questions were raised about his efforts at both former club FC Porto and with Real.

In fact, Zidane took him to task for a less-than-energetic warm-up routine when the player was a substitute last season, according to Spanish television station La Sexta (h/t AS).

Yet, at 25, he's still young enough to learn better habits. James may respond to the patient, calm and supportive brand of coaching that defines Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's approach to player development.

James has produced when he's played regularly, something unlikely to happen with Los Merengues. It's an issue La Liga pundit Terry Gibson told La Liga Weekly podcast that won't go away, per Oliver Yew of Sky Sports: "Zidane has said James is happy and content, but he won't be. He is a fantastic footballer and will want to be playing regularly for someone."

Wenger may be unable to add the marquee centre-forward many Arsenal fans crave, but signing James would still be a major statement of intent. He would add width and variety in the final third, leaving Sanchez and Olivier Giroud to focus on getting the lion's share of goals.

Arsenal Approach Marcel Tisserand

Arsenal's need for defensive reinforcements is desperate. Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista are out injured, while Frenchman Laurent Koscielny can't yet be counted on every week after his recent rigours at UEFA Euro 2016. That's left Wenger choosing from youngsters Rob Holding and Calum Chambers.

JEAN-SEBASTIEN EVRARD/Getty Images

So it makes sense the club has reportedly "approached" Ligue 1 side AS Monaco over the availability of versatile defender Marcel Tisserand, according to John Cross of the Daily Mirror: "Spanish club Espanyol were hoping to sign the 23-year-old DR Congo international, but the deal has been put on hold with the player anxious to see if the Gunners' interest comes to anything."

Tisserand's ability to play both full-back and centre-back should appeal to a manager looking for cover at more than one spot. This signing would make it easier to offload flop Mathieu Debuchy and possibly explore a loan deal for the struggling Chambers.

Still, a move to England's top flight would represent a giant step up for Tisserand after being on loan at Lens and Toulouse in recent seasons.

Yet Wenger may have little choice but to cast a wider net in his search for extra defensive options. The Gunners are struggling to get a deal for Valencia's Shkodran Mustafi off the ground, although Sky Germany's Marc Behrenbeck believes the move could still happen:

Meanwhile, West Bromwich Albion are set to demand at least £25 million for Jonny Evans, per Jeremy Wilson of the Daily Telegraph.

Wenger is running out of time to improve Arsenal at both ends of the team. The final days of the window will be a test not only of his judgment but also his bravery to take a chance on some surprise names.