Arsenal Transfer Rumours: Swedish Starlet and Per Mertesacker on Gunners Radar

Sky Sports is reporting that Arsenal are close to tying up a deal for young Scandinavian midfield prodigy Kristoffer Olsson. 

The 16-year-old IFK Norrkopings youth has made a good impression during two recent trials, and it seems Arsene Wenger can now finally officially add the Swede to the Arsenal ranks.

Sky is citing an omission from Norrkopings sporting director Tony Martinsson indicating that a fee and a contract are both in place. 

Olsson could become the fifth teenage talent signed by Arsenal this summer.  He would join former Charlton Athletic fledgling Carl Jenkinson and Barcelona academy graduates Hector Bellerin and Jon Toral Harper, along with Serge Gnabry, snared from German side VfB Stuttgart. 

In order to justify such a strong dedication to young players, Arsenal need more of their promising youngsters to emerge as genuine first team stars.

While these deals show that Arsenal remain committed to their policy of unearthing and developing young talent from across the globe, many fans are anxious to see established, senior players arrive at the club. 

One such player possibly on his way to North London, could be towering German international Per Mertesacker.  The Werder Bremen central defender is a long time target of Arsene Wenger.

Metro reports that Arsenal could look to take advantage of Mertesacker having only one year left on his contract and try and tempt Werder into a quick sale with a £7 million bid. 

Mertesacker is an intelligent and composed defender who offers plenty of experience from European competitions at club level and a host of international caps. 

At 26, he could be entering his prime and represents a cheaper alternative to some of Arsene Wenger's Premier League based targets such as Gary Cahill and Christopher Samba.