Gotze & Podolski – Arsenal’s Top Transfer Targets

Arsenal have made the two German stars, Mario Gotze and Lukas Podolski, top transfer targets for the January window – a time when Wenger is well known for staying away from any sort of business. The Gunners boss once again last night claimed he wouldn’t be entering the market this winter, but we all know he’s always coy on his transfer plans and keeps his cards close to his chest, so take his comments with a pinch of salt.

Arsenal have been interested in Gotze for some time now, with the 19 year-old impressing for Borussia Dortmund and has been singled out as the outstanding talent in Europe and a real star of the future. His pace, skill and technical ability has caught the eye of several top European clubs, and is expected to sell for the quite stunning price of £30 million.

While this would usually immediately turn off any interest from Arsene Wenger, he has reportedly been given the green light from the board to spend the money in order to persuade in form striker Robin van Persie that the club have big ambitions and to sign a new contract with Arsenal.

As has been written here before, Arsenal will have stiff competition to sign Goetze, who has big admirers across Europe with far larger financial muscle, including Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

Another player whom Arsenal will apparently make a move for is Lukas Podolski, who has begun flirting with the idea of a move whilst flattering the Gunners by calling them a “top club” who play “at the top in England,” he said:

“Arsenal are a top club. They have a good team and play right at the top level in England. My family and friends may live here [in Germany], but if I am in top condition, then I think I could fit into any side in Europe. I am not forced to stay only in Cologne.”

The 26 year-old striker would be a fantastic purchase and an interesting partner for Robin van Persie, who is currently carrying the teams success with his goals. If Marouane Chamakh is interesting clubs who are prepared to spend £10 million on the out of form Morrocan, Podolski would be an outstanding replacement with his cost said to be £20 million.

His current club Cologne are five points from the bottom of the Bundesliga and are out of the German Cup. They are also not competing in Europe, and talks to extend Podolski’s contract which expires in 2013 have stalled because of this.

Arsenal would do well to add these two German stars to their line-up; both are full of attacking talent and potential, and although both would come at a hefty price, it would be a small price to pay to keep their stars at the Emirates and move on from losing Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri last summer.