Arsenal Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Nelson Semedo

Arsenal reportedly came close to signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan during the summer transfer window before Manchester United trumped their bid with a superior offer. Meanwhile, the Red Devils are challenging for Gunners target Nelson Semedo.

Chris Wheeler of the Daily Mail reported Arsenal even agreed a deal with Borussia Dortmund to recruit Mkhitaryan, before United offered £7 million more than the north Londoners were willing to pay.

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The Armenia international eventually moved to Old Trafford for a fee of £26.3 million, meaning the Gunners had a transfer in place to sign Mkhitaryan for somewhere in the region of £19.3 million before his late turn.

Things haven't gone to plan for the winger under United manager Jose Mourinho, however, and Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News recently illustrated just how swiftly things have changed for the worse:

Mkhitaryan moved to Old Trafford because he felt his first-team prospects would be better served with the Red Devils, but the attacker has instead found himself struggling to get into Mourinho's squad.

The 27-year-old enjoyed the most prolific campaign of his career last season and scored 23 goals in 52 appearances, not to mention 32 assists, and football writer Liam Canning has vouched for the wide star's ability:

Arsenal may regret missing out on Mkhitaryan, but one has to question whether United got value for money considering the former Dortmund ace came so close to joining the Gunners for a substantially smaller fee.

Manager Arsene Wenger has seen Theo Walcott enjoy a resurgence at the Emirates Stadium, while Alex Iwobi has also been in fine form, suggesting Mkhitaryan may never have been needed in the first place.

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Wenger could have his revenge over Mourinho in the race to sign Benfica star Semedo, but Portuguese newspaper O Jogo (h/t Daily Star's Jamie Styles) reported the Red Devils are looking to take pole position in the hunt.

It's believed Matteo Darmian could be allowed to leave Old Trafford, and Metro's Primeira Liga expert Jan Hagen recently provided an appraisal of Semedo's quality as a potential right-back replacement:

Arsenal have Hector Bellerin patrolling their right side of defence, and while the Spaniard is settled as Wenger's first choice in the role, the north Londoners could do with a talented deputy.

Semedo, 22, has a €45 million (£40 million) release clause in his contract, and while Arsenal may be unwilling to do business at that figure, the Premier League giants could attempt to negotiate a January deal.