Arsenal Transfer Rumors: Best 15 Players Wrongly Linked to Gunners

Nowadays, the transfer market carousel can be quite ridiculous.

Many of the big name clubs in Europe are consistently linked with the top talent around, whether they are available or not.

Arsenal is no different. Minus the fact that these rumors generally have to be taken with a pinch of salt by Gunners fans—thanks to Arsene Wenger (and the board).

In a summer that started with Wenger and Ivan Gazidis stating that money was available and that it would be used, Arsenal fans have found themselves even more frustrated.

The players on this list have all been linked to Arsenal so far this summer, and the reasons are obvious. They all fit into various positions of need in the Arsenal squad, but do they really?

While some of these players have already been bought, they still make the list because they obviously did not end up signing with Arsenal, and those players will be looked at from their Arsenal interest before their respective transfers.

So go ahead and click through to find out who was wrongly linked to the Gunners.

Maarten Stekelenburg

The Dutch international moved to Roma a few weeks ago amid speculation that Arsenal were also interested.

The Gunners had been linked with Stekelenburg in transfer windows past and, with calls from various sections for an experienced goalkeeper, the former Ajax man looked to be a prime candidate.

Wenger stuck to his guns—and his young ones—while Wojciech Szczesny has started the season as number one.

So far, only two games in it should be said, Szczesny has not really put any doubts in fans minds. So far.

Price tag – Roma bought him for 6 million Euros.

Player Interest – Before Roma came calling, Stekelenburg did state that he would be interested in going to Arsenal if they offered.

Genuine Club interest – There is no official word or bid from the Gunners.

Availability – Ajax were prepared to let Stekelenburg go because he was ready to leave.

Probability of a Transfer – It is 10 percent.

Mamadou Sakho

Sakho is a player who fits a lot of Wenger attributes.

Young, skilled, loads of potential and French.

Even if he is not a fully fledged star, Sakho's signing could have eased the mind of a good number of Arsenal fans, were it possible.

Unfortunately, the captain of the new and improved Paris Saint-Germain team looks set to try and lead them to Europe next season.

Price tag – It is about 20 million pounds.

Player Interest – Sakho was unwilling to go to Arsenal in 2010 and did not say anything this summer.

Genuine Club interest – The alleged bid was rejected by PSG. Wenger wasn't willing to meet valuation.

Availability – Before PSG's new owners came, signing Sakho was a possibility, though a slight one. After the owners came along, there was really no chance.

Probability of a Transfer – It is 5 percent.

Per Mertesacker

Wenger effectively put this one to bed earlier this week, so Mertesacker definitely had to make this list.

For whatever reason, Wenger is not willing to go for possibly the best—and most experienced—defender that Arsenal has been linked to this summer.

He is on the last year of his contract and is willing to go. Two and a half defenders seem to be enough for Wenger.

Wenger may have the same thought process as some fans who believed Mertesacker is not the right fit for Arsenal.

Price tag – It is between 5–10 million pounds.

Player Interest – It is similar to Stekelenburg, Mertesacker was willing to go to Arsenal, or any club outside of Germany really, if an offer was made.

Genuine Club interest – Before publicly stating his lack of interest in the target, Wenger kept his cards close to his chest.

Availability – Werder Bremen did not want him to leave for free and were welcoming offers.

Probability of a Transfer – It is 15 percent.

Scott Dann

This target seems to be out of left field. Of all the players on this list, Dann is the latest target to be linked, the most likely and most absurd.

If Wenger really has eyes on the Birmingham defender, it must be to get back at them for stealing, I mean, gladly taking the Carling Cup final that was handed to them.

Dann is on this list because he shouldn't be on this list.

Price tag – It is between 6 to 10 million pounds, dependent on the number of interested clubs,

Player Interest – No word from the transfer target himself.

Genuine Club interest – Apparently, the Gunners are in talks with Dann.

Availability – If Dann's Birmingham price tag is met, he will be allowed to leave.

Probability of a Transfer – It is 45 percent.

Emilio Izaguirre

The interest in Izaguirre was mainly at the start of the year, but some of it transferred to the summer.

Since Clichy's departure, there has not been much talk of a left-back replacement, and Arsene Wenger can take credit for that.

Considering his unfortunate injury at the beginning of Celtic's Scottish campaign, no transfer looks imminent.

At one point Izaguirre was also on Manchester United and Liverpool's radar, as well.

Price tag – It is 10 million pounds.

Player Interest – No word from the transfer target himself.

Genuine Club interest – No interest from Wenger.

Availability – Meeting the price tag, or solid negotiation, would see a possible move for the Honduran.

Probability of a Transfer – It is zero percent.

Jose Enrique

Enrique is another possible target who has already moved on. Like Izaguirre, there was not much a chance of Enrique coming to the Emirates.

After Clichy's departure Enrique, and not Izaguirre, was the left-back option most linked to an Emirates move.

Of course, we all know what happened because he chose to go to one of Arsenal's main contenders.

Price tag – Liverpool bought him for about 7 million pounds.

Player Interest – No word from the transfer target himself.

Genuine Club interest – There were reports of Arsenal interest, though the validity of those reports are not certain.

Availability – He was available to any interested party.

Probability of a Transfer - It is zero percent.

Scott Parker

Parker has been linked with the Gunners at some point this summer, but it seems the number of reports has died down as time has gone on.

The West Ham talisman looked set to leave the club after relegation, but no such move has arisen.

Price tag – It is about 7 million pounds.

Player Interest – No word from the transfer target himself, though he did state he was ready to leave West Ham.

Genuine Club interest – Wenger declared he was not interested in June.

Availability – He was available to any interested party.

Probability of a Transfer - It is zero percent.

Joey Barton

There is not much to say here.

Barton does posses some footballs—and physical qualities that would benefit Arsenal—but the all of that could well be destroyed by his temperament.

Price tag – It is around 4 million pounds.

Player Interest – Barton was interested in a move to the Emirates.

Genuine Club interest – There were reports of Arsenal interest, though the validity of those reports are not certain.

Availability – His twitter behavior prompted his increased availability, though no move has materialized as yet.

Probability of a Transfer – It is zero percent.

Eden Hazard

After raiding Lille for Gervinho, it would be very hard for Arsenal to complete a double swoop for Hazard, considering they let go another integral player in Yohan Cabaye.

Interest has risen since the official departure of Fabregas, but it is unlikely that anything will happen.

Price tag – It is between 15 to 30 million pounds.

Player Interest – Hazard has admitted some interest in Arsenal, but were the likes of Barcelona to come calling, it is likely that the Gunners would find it tough to get him.

Genuine Club interest – Hazard has been strongly linked to Arsenal this summer.

Availability – Lille is unlikely to let any more stars go especially this late in the window.

Probability of a Transfer – It is 15 percent.

Mario Gotze

Borussia Dortmund immediately became the envy of a lot big clubs with all the young talent they had.

Nuri Sahin was quickly snapped up by Real Madrid, and there was a great amount of speculation as to which of the other young stars would follow suit to bigger clubs.

Price tag – It is about 20 million pounds.

Player Interest – There is no statement from the player.

Genuine Club interest – There is no real interest.

Availability – Borussia Dortmund would not let him go.

Probability of a Transfer – It is zero percent.

Santi Cazorla

The fact that Cazorla went to Malaga, and seemingly had no interest at all in the Gunners, is cause for concern.

A replacement for Fabregas was, and is, needed and, though Cazorla may not have created a buzz like his compatriot Juan Mata, he still would have helped.

Price tag – It is around 20 million Euros.

Player Interest – There is no stated interest from the player.

Genuine Club interest – Interest was dependent on the movements of Giussepe Rossi i.e. not interested enough.

Availability – Available for the right price.

Probability of a Transfer – It is zero percent.

Stewart Downing

Another possible transfer target that Liverpool picked up.

Not sure how well Downing would fit into the Arsenal way and Wenger probably didn't either.

Had Arsenal ensued in a transfer battle with Liverpool Downing's price would have undoubtedly gone up, putting him even farther out of Wenger range.

Price tag – Liverpool bought him for about 20 million pounds.

Player Interest – It seems that Downing preferred Liverpool more than Arsenal.

Genuine Club interest – Wenger declared he was not interested in June.

Availability – After letting go Ashley Young, Aston Villa was, surprisingly so, also willing to let Downing go.

Probability of a Transfer – It is zero percent.

Radamel Falcao

Falcao appeared as a target for many big name clubs after a fantastic season with Porto.

Though Arsenal was also linked to him, it is doubtful that there was any real interest from either side from the start.

The price tag alone would have put a stop to any move.

Price tag – It is about 30 million pounds.

Player Interest – Falcao was interested in a Premier League move, but Chelsea were touted as the only option.

Genuine Club interest -– Arsenal reportedly made contact with Falcao's agent, but as usual, these claims are probably outlandish.

Availability – Porto were probably unwilling to let Falcao go unless they received a significant price.

Probability of a Transfer – It is 10 percent.

Romelu Lukaku

Like another prospect on this list, Lukaku fit a lot of Wenger attributes. Young, loads of potential and from a small league.

At one point this summer it looked like Wenger would get serious in attempts to bolster the forward line.

Unfortunately, with Chelsea in the mix also, the transfer price would prove too much.

Price tag – Chelsea transfer fee not certain yet, deal is finalized today.

Player Interest – Nothing stated from Lukaku himself, except a great admiration for Drogba and Chelsea.

Genuine Club interest – Interest but nothing official.

Availability – Available for the right price.

Probability of a Transfer – It is 30 percent.

Karim Benzema

Of all the transfer deals, this one was the most grandiose.

Benzema finally started to prove himself at Real Madrid with solid performances last season.

Mourinho was not about to let a striker go when he was adamant that he needed more.

Price tag – It is between 7 to at least 30 million pounds.

Player Interest – Honored by interest but no plans to go elsewhere.

Genuine Club interest – Wenger declared he was interested early in the summer.

Availability – Real Madrid would not let him go.

Probability of a Transfer – It is zero percent.