Arsenal Transfer News: Latest Rumours on M'Baye Niang and Mesut Ozil

Arsenal are reportedly on standby as they monitor AC Milan forward M'Baye Niang, whose contract talks with the Italian club have stalled.

According to Calciomercato.com's Steve Mitchell, the Rossoneri began discussions with Niang in the summer, but the two parties were unable to reach an agreement amid a takeover of the club. The situation will not be resolved "until February at the earliest."

The 21-year-old, whose current deal expires in 2019, "is reported to be anxious to renew" but has attracted the interest of Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund.

The versatile Frenchman spent much of last season as a centre-forward and notched eight goals and five assists in 21 games for Milan. Here are some of his highlights:

Gianluca Di Marzio's David Amoyal praised Milan's decision to keep him at the San Siro:

Niang has been moved to the left wing this year to form a front three with Carlos Bacca and Suso, and he has thus far managed to accrue three goals and as many assists in 12 Serie A outings.

He makes use of his explosive pace, tricky dribbling and excellent work rate to wreak havoc down the flank, though, as football writer Sumeet Paul noted, Niang could stand to be more clinical and incisive in the final third:

Indeed, according to Squawka he has created 13 chances this season and hit the target with just eight of his 23 efforts on goal, a shooting accuracy of just 35 per cent.

Nevertheless, he remains a hot prospect likely to grow and develop his game further in the coming years. He may become more effective as a creator and more ruthless in front of goal as he gains more experience.

At Arsenal, he would be competing with Olivier Giroud, Alexis Sanchez and Lucas Perez for a centre-forward role or with the likes of Alex Iwobi to play on the wing.

Iwobi, 20, is younger and also a rising star. Bleacher Report UK's James McNicholas is an admirer:

Unless one of Arsenal's other starters were to leave, it could boil down to a choice between sticking with Iwobi or bringing in Niang. The Gunners will likely keep an eye on the pair's progress before making any decisions.

Meanwhile, Marca's Jose Felix Diaz reported Mesut Ozil and former Real Madrid team-mate Angel Di Maria "regret leaving the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu and have offered their services once more to their former club."

The Germany international has established himself as arguably Arsenal's most important player since he joined in 2013 thanks to his unrivalled creativity, and while he has just four assists this season, he has netted seven goals.

Valentina Petrova/Associated Press

Ozil is reportedly set to be handed a new deal at the Emirates Stadium, but he and the club have yet to reach an agreement.

His move to Arsenal has thus far been fairly successful, as he's won two FA Cups. But since his departure, Los Blancos have won the UEFA Champions League twice.

Further, a player of his quality should be challenging for the Premier League title—something Arsenal have struggled to do in recent years and will need to improve on to keep their top stars.

Should the Gunners fail to sustain a serious challenge this season or suffer another early exit from the Champions League knockout phase, it could prompt Ozil to reassess his future.