Arsenal Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Carlos Bacca and Djibril Sidibe

AC Milan striker and Arsenal target Carlos Bacca won't be available for transfer during the winter window. The Rossoneri's CEO Adriano Galliani has revealed how the club intends to keep the Colombian goal-getter.

Galliani was speaking to Italian source Mediaset Premium (h/t Metro) and made it clear Bacca is staying put: "Bacca is not for sale. I repeat, he is absolutely off the market."

Galliani's comments come after the attacker's agent, Sergio Barila, also said his client is happy with life in Serie A. Barila told MilanNews (h/t MailOnline's Jonathan Spencer), "Bacca is very happy at Milan. In addition, both the coach [Vincenzo Montella] and the club are happy with him."

All signs point to Bacca staying in Milan, despite recent reports linking him with a move to the Gunners. In fact, Phil Cadden of the Sun reported Arsenal had even begun talks over a January transfer worth £20 million.

There's no doubt Bacca is a player who would boost the Gunners' challenge for the Premier League title. He'd add goals thanks to his clever running off the ball and ruthless streak as a finisher. Bacca's somewhat scrappy in front of goal, but this is a striker who does whatever it takes to put the ball in the net.

Fortunately for Arsenal, the club is well stocked at striker, even if Bacca does stay put. Manager Arsene Wenger has converted Alexis Sanchez into a centre-forward role with spectacular results.

Aside from Sanchez, there are also French target man Olivier Giroud and summer signing Lucas Perez, along with England internationals Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck. The latter has made a quicker-than-expected return from injury after a prolonged spell out with a knee injury, according to Andy Charles of Sky Sports.

Bacca would provide a boost, but Arsenal should have enough firepower to sustain their title challenge, even if Wenger doesn't sign another striker in January.

Chelsea Keen on Arsenal Target Djibril Sidibe

Arsenal's London rivals Chelsea could sign a player the Gunners reportedly tried to acquire in the summer. The player in question is AS Monaco full-back Djibril Sidibe.

Chelsea are said to be interested after their scout for France, Guy Hillion, recommended the defender, per the Times (h/t Metro). The report details how Sidibe has been given a glowing review alongside Chelsea's primary target at Monaco, midfield powerhouse Tiemoue Bakayoko.

ROMAIN PERROCHEAU/Getty Images

Back in October, Sidibe revealed how he rejected a summer switch to Arsenal over concerns about playing time, according to French source Le Parisien (h/t Mark Ashenden of Sky Sports): "I was on the brink [of signing for Monaco] and [Arsenal] gave me a headache by making a bid at the last moment. After reflecting on it, I was not certain my playing time would be guaranteed."

Since then, Sidibe has become a key figure in a free-scoring Monaco team alongside fellow raiding full-back Benjamin Mendy. He would have been a useful signing for the Gunners.

As a player who can operate in either full-back berth, Sidibe would have given Wenger options. Their depth is not strong, particularly at right-back. Hector Bellerin's recent injury highlighted the problem when Wenger chose to rely on centre-back Gabriel after Carl Jenkinson struggled and Mathieu Debuchy suffered more injury woes.

Things are a little better at left-back, even if 30-year-old Nacho Monreal lacks pace and is showing his age this season. Backup Kieran Gibbs' future is in doubt as Arsenal are putting off contract talks, despite the player's current deal expiring in 18 months, according to John Cross of the Daily Mirror.

Arsenal need more options at full-back, but will have to widen their search if Chelsea increase their interest in Sidibe.