Arsenal Transfer News: Huntelaar, Strootman, Adrian And Matri Linked To January Moves

Reports in Italy have ventured a new target for Arsenal in Juventus striker Alessandro Matri, according to TalkSport.

The 28-year-old Italy international has found himself out of favor in Turin and may well be available in January. Matri arrived at the current Italian champions in January of 2011 and hit the ground running with nine goals before the end of the season. However, his goal return has dried up somewhat since then. TalkSport suggest that Arsenal may make a £7 million bid in the next transfer window.

The striker who would appear to be top of Wenger’s wanted list, though, is Schalke’s Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. With the Netherlands international’s contract set to expire next summer, the Daily Mirror is the latest publication to suggest that Arsenal may try to take advantage of the situation with a January move.

The 29-year-old scored against Arsenal in the Champions League earlier this month and last season finished as the Bundesliga’s top scorer with 29 goals.

Given that Huntelaar would be cup-tied for the Champions League, a free transfer next summer may be more likely.

There has also been renewed speculation linking Arsenal with a move for Atletico Madrid forward Adrian Lopez.  Wenger has suggested that now is a good time to buy from La Liga due to the financial problems in Spain and TakSport reports that Wenger could look for a bargain with a move for the Spain international in January.  Arsenal already signed former Malaga midfielder Santi Cazorla in a cut-price deal in the summer.

Adrian, 24, has been in and out of the Atletico side this season after catching the eye last term by scoring 10 goals to help his side claim the Europa League trophy.

In other news, the Daily Mirror has claimed that Arsenal have joined the list of admirers for PSV Eindhoven midfielder Kevin Strootman. Manchester United have been strongly linked to the Netherlands international for several months and just this week the player’s agent claimed that contact had been made by Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.

According to the Mirror, Arsenal are expected to send their chief scout to watch the 22-year-old in action on Saturday against Ajax. Strootman is highly-rated in his homeland and even captained his country in two World Cup qualifiers last month.

There could also soon be further departures from the Emirates. The Daily Mirror reports that right-back Bacary Sagna is unhappy at being offered just a year extension to his current contract, which has 18 months left to run.

Inter have been linked to the France international for some time and their willingness to offer a longer deal may see Sagna move to Italy.

The 29-year-old has only recently returned from a broken leg and caused headlines earlier this season by speaking out against the summer departures of Robin van Persie and Alex Song.