Arsenal Transfer News: Latest on Steven N'Zonzi, Top Rumours

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is reportedly keeping tabs on Sevilla defensive midfielder Steven N'Zonzi ahead of a possible move during the January transfer window.

Wenger has been monitoring N'Zonzi but could face competition for the Frenchman from Serie A giants Juventus, per TalkSport: "Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has reportedly been impressed by the midfielder and could make a move for him."

However, Juve aren't the only team said to be keeping an eye on N'Zonzi's situation.

Arsenal's Premier League and London rivals Chelsea are also keen on the midfielder, who has a £26.5 million release clause in his contract. The Blues have been buoyed by N'Zonzi and Sevilla being far apart on a new deal with a higher clause, per Spanish publication Marca (h/t Thomas McIlroy of the Daily Star).

N'Zonzi represents an interesting target for the Gunners. In previous years, the former Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City destroyer would have made a lot of sense. Wenger's previous squads often needed an enforcer in midfield, and the combative, 1.90-metre-tall N'Zonzi fits the bill perfectly.

Yet Arsenal are no longer in such need of the fabled "steel" in midfield, not since Wenger added ex-Borussia Monchengladbach skipper Granit Xhaka this summer. He's far from the only new addition who has beefed up the Gunners' midfield in recent seasons.

Mohamed Elneny was signed from FC Basel in January, while Francis Coquelin's return from prolonged loan spells during the 2010/11, 2013/14 and 2014/15 campaigns finally gave this decade's Arsenal a player with true destructive instincts at the base of midfield.

Wenger's Gunners haven't been this rich in midfield strongmen since the early 2000s, when Gilberto Silva, Edu and Ray Parlour were competing for starting places alongside captain Patrick Vieira.

Ben Radford/Getty Images

Even so, Wenger may still consider a move for N'Zonzi a wise one, especially given how much the 27-year-old has improved since joining Sevilla in 2015.

Always a tough tackler, N'Zonzi has lost none of his defensive nous. He's ensuring Sevilla don't miss Poland international Grzegorz Krychowiak, the holding player they sold to Paris Saint-Germain this summer.

N'Zonzi has also matured as a passer. He's moving the ball forward much quicker and exploiting gaps more often. Statistics from WhoScored.com show just how effective N'Zonzi has become in possession:

Tournament	Appearances	Key Passes per Game	Average No. of Passes per Game	Pass Success Percentage
UEFA Champions League	4	0.8	94.3	92
La Liga	8	0.6	75.3	89.4

N'Zonzi is now displaying the traits of a complete midfielder, something any squad would welcome. Arsenal have the strength in depth to cope in central midfield, but one more quality player would reinforce their standing as legitimate contenders for this season's Premier League title.