Arsenal Transfers: 10 Ridiculous January Rumors with No Chance of Happening

Arsenal and Chelsea were recently involved in a Premiership classic with eight goals being scored in a thrilling encounter at Stamford Bridge. The Gunners scored five to seal the contest and continue their progress after their disastrous start to the campaign.

Arsenal lost two of their most important players in Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri and it did not help that young Jack Wilshere was also ruled out for more than six months. Having suffered some embarrassing results in the season, they have shown some fight having won eight out of the last nine games in all competitions with the only loss coming against Spurs in a close encounter.

Arsenal did sign a number of players in the summer and some of them are yet to adjust to the pace and physicality of the Premiership. Wenger has also not used Park Ju Young in the Premiership and he seems to be a player who can make an impact in the future, while Per Mertesacker and Mikel Arteta have both had some games under the belt for the Gunners.

Though they have decent quality in the squad, Arsene Wenger could make signings in the January transfer window considering that it will be difficult for the Gunners to finish in Champions League places this season.

The January transfer window could prove to be an important time for the Gunners as they will seek to strengthen for the second half of the season and also for the future. Wenger will probably spend the money if the right players are available and with Jack Wilshere, Bacary Sagna and Abou Diaby scheduled to return at that time, there might not be more than one or two signings from Wenger.

However, there have been many rumors concerning the Gunners which might not happen; here are 10 things that will probably not happen in January.

1. Kolo Toure (Manchester City)

Manchester City's Kolo Toure is still one of the most respected former Arsenal players for his contribution to past trophies, and he established himself as a solid player under Arsene Wenger.

Though he did leave Arsenal for a sizeable sum of money, Arsenal fans did respect his decision which involved many factors. However, he is not having a great time as of now for Manchester City, having just completed a six month ban for testing positive in a drugs test.

Toure is behind in the pecking order and with the resources that Roberto Mancini has, he could probably spend the money to acquire another defender of the highest quality.

Arsenal have been linked with the City defender, who has not had much playing time this season, but this rumor has very little chances of materializing. Wenger has not signed many former players and Toure is also not likely to be first choice at Arsenal, considering that Thomas Vermaelen and Laurent Koscielny are both excellent players and Per Mertesacker is also a quality player.

2. Alex (Chelsea)

Chelsea defender Alex has been linked with a move to the Emirates and though there are always possibilities of strange moves happening, this one seems to be unlikely, especially with the Gunners signing the German giant Per Mertesacker. Laurent Koscielny seems to be at his best this season and has developed into a quality defender. The Frenchman's progress has meant that he has established himself as Arsenal's first choice centre back.

Thomas Vermaelen is a player who is regarded highly by Arsene Wenger and the Arsenal supporters and he is back to full fitness following his injury. Mertesacker is also a good player and though he is yet to adjust fully to the Premiership, he has shown clear signs that he will prove to be a good signing for the Gunners in the future.

Alex is a decent player but is too rash and will not be a starter in this team. Also, he is not versatile, which means that he will have to be benched on a number of occasions as Arsenal do have four decent centre backs with Johan Djourou also a talented player.

3. Luca Toni (Juventus)

According to Footybunker, Arsenal are apparently prepared to make a change in their transfer policy to sign Juventus striker Luca Toni, who was an excellent striker for a couple of years.

Toni has not had a good time in the last couple of seasons and has looked short of fitness as well. He does not have the same amount of threatening prowess in front of game and Arsenal supporters would be baffled if Arsene Wenger does indeed decide to sign him.

Wenger might still be interested in signing players above 30 years of age if they are still of the highest level, like Udinese's Antonio Di Natale, but Toni would be a huge gamble for the French tactician. At 34 years of age, he is certainly past his best and his wage demands also make the deal very improbable.

4. Ricardo Kaka (Real Madrid)

Kaka is one of the best players to have played in the last decade but in the last couple of seasons, following his record breaking move to Real Madrid, he has failed to impress mainly due to injuries. The Brazilian midfielder was linked with an exit in the summer but in the end he did stay with the club and according to Talksport, Arsenal and PSG are likely to make firm moves in the January transfer window.

However, it is highly unlikely that Real Madrid will even consider offers for Kaka considering the Brazilian's form this season. He has regained form and has been involved in several excellent performances for the side scoring and assisting crucial goals for Madrid.

He has regained the support of the Madrid fans and has impressed this season under Mourinho. With the Brazilian becoming a key player for Madrid, it is unlikely that Arsenal will sign him in the future.

5. Ricardo Alvarez (Inter Milan) in Swap Deal for Aaron Ramsey

Arsene Wenger was apparently interested in sealing the signing of Ricardo Alvarez who ended up signing for Inter Milan. The Gunners' manager then signed Mikel Arteta on a permanent deal and Yossi Benayoun on a loan deal having lost Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri in the summer.

Despite a slow start to the campaign, Aaron Ramsey has emerged as a key player for the Gunners and his performances in the last few weeks have played a major role in Arsenal's good run in the last six weeks.

It is evident that Arsenal's Ramsey is a player who could be world class in the future and also, he is completely free of the horrific injury he sustained against Stoke City. The Welshman is apparently targeted by Inter Milan for a fee of £17.5 million but it is highly unlikely that Arsenal will even consider the offer.

Also, they are apparently prepared to include former Arsenal target Alvarez in the deal but again, Arsenal would be unwilling to take a risk on a player who has struggled to adapt to the Italian league and the Premiership is even faster and more physical than the Italian league in some respects

6. Mario Goetze (Borussia Dortmund)

Mario Goetze has already established himself as one of the world's best young players and it is not a surprise that he has been linked with various clubs. However, with Dortmund competing well in the Bundesliga, it is highly unlikely that he will depart in January.

According to the Mirror, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is desperate to sign the Germany international and so are many other clubs but Dortmund will be reluctant to discuss any offers.

Also in the report, it was stated that the German would generate £17.5 million for the club but it is likely that he is valued far more than that as well. Arsenal have not spent too much on a single player but signing Goetze in the future would be a major coup for the Gunners, as he is a player of immense potential.

However, Goetze is likely to stay at Dortmund at least till the end of the season and if possible, Dortmund would like to keep him at the club as long as he is interested.

7. Wesley Sneijder (Inter Milan)

According to the Metro, Arsenal and Manchester United are apparently interested in signing Dutchman Wesley Sneijder in the January transfer window and have received a huge boost in that Manchester City are not interested in the creative midfielder. Though Sneijder is a quality player who will improve the quality of the side, the Gunners are unlikely to match the transfer fee and the wages demanded by Inter Milan and Sneijder respectively.

Also with Jack Wilshere poised to return after the new year and Aaron Ramsey starting to impress for the Gunners, they have a midfield partnership which could form the core of the team in the future.

Sneijder's wages would destroy the wage structure at Arsenal and it is highly unlikely that Arsene Wenger would be interested in the creative Dutch midfielder.

8. Hulk (FC Porto)

Arsenal were apparently interested in versatile FC Porto striker Hulk in the summer but no move materialized and he continues to stay at Porto. Though Arsenal do need another quality striker to support Robin van Persie, they will search for strikers who will suit their range instead of the Brazilian attacker, who has a whopping £100 million release clause.

It is likely that Porto will not sell Hulk on the cheap and with Arsenal's forward line of Robin van Persie, Gervinho and Theo Walcott doing well this season, it is unlikely that they will spend crazy money on a striker. Hulk is a good player with plenty of European experience as well but Wenger is unlikely to spend the required amount to sign the attacker and could look for other options in the transfer market.

9. Didier Drogba (Chelsea)

Didier Drogba has been Arsenal's nemesis on several occasions in the last decade but the striker has not had much playing time since the arrival of Fernando Torres, and manager Andre Villas-Boas has also favored the Spaniard on some occasions this season. Drogba is yet to sign a new contract to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge and could leave in January if there is a serious offer for the Ivory Coast striker.

However, Chelsea are not likely to sell the quality striker to their direct Premiership rivals Arsenal and it is also unlikely that the Gunners will make an approach for the 34-year-old considering that they have Robin van Persie as their main striker and he is in superb form this year.

With the current Arsenal system only accommodating a single striker, Van Persie is the main man and if signed, Drogba will only be on the bench which will not be favored by the Ivorian. It is highly unlikely that Drogba will move to a Premiership rival after spending such a long time with Chelsea and Arsenal are probably one of the least likely destinations for the striker.

10. Thiago Alcantara (FC Barcelona)

Arsenal lost two of their most important midfielders in the summer in Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri and though they have managed to string together some good results, they would do even better if they had another creative midfielder along with Aaron Ramsey and others in the squad.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is apparently a huge admirer of Barcelona's Thiago Alcantara and did inquire about the availability of the youngster in the summer.

However, Barcelona had no interest of selling the midfielder in the summer and it is unlikely to change in the future as well as he is a player of immense potential. With Xavi not getting any younger, Thiago could have an important role to play for the Blaugrana in the future despite the arrival of the talented Cesc Fabregas and Arsenal's interest is likely to be rejected by the Spanish giants.