Arsenal Ready To Opens Talks Over Audacious £55m Double Swoop For Man Utd Targets

With the January transfer now open for business, managers are strengthening their squads ahead of the second half of the season, so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip. Today, Arsenal are lining-up a sensational double swoop….

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is ready to open formal talks with Borussia Dortmund over an audacious £55m double swoop for Mats Hummels and Ilkay Gundogan, according to reports.

The Gunners boss has confirmed today that he’s looking to bring in a couple of players this month after losing both Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Debuchy to long-term injuries, with a centre-back and holding midfielder believed to be his priorities.

Several names have been linked with a move to the Emirates in recent weeks but it looks as though the Frenchman has his eye on two German international’s as the Daily Star are one of several outlets who’re reporting that Arsenal are ready to open talks with Dortmund over a double swoop for Gundogan and Hummels.

Gundogan’s future has been cast in doubt amid reports he’s refusing to sign an extension at the Wesfalondtadion and the likes of Arsenal and Man Utd have been strongly linked with a move for the 24-year-old.

Hummels is another player whose been tipped to leave Dortmund after their disastrous first half to the season that currently sees them sitting in the bottom three of the Bundesliga table, and the defender did little to damped the rumours after refusing to commit his long-term future to the club.

“I have gotten offers from different clubs ever since I have been with Dortmund.

“I have always decided not to leave. I think I have made some good decisions and I want to make those in the future as well.

“I have never said I will stay until 2024 or 2030 or whenever.

“But I have stayed until today. I will stick to my way of not promising anything and maybe leave someday instead of saying I will stay forever and then leave all of a sudden.

“I am not really known as a globetrotter. I have been with two clubs in 26 years. Loyalty is important to me.” Hummels is quoted as saying by the Daily Star

Arsenal and Man Utd have once again been touted as potential suitors in the media with Louis van Gaal also believed to be on the look-out for defensive reinforcements this winter.

However, it looks as though Arsenal are ready to steal a march on their rivals as the Star claim Wenger is eyeing a £55m double swoop – with £20m set aside for Gundogan and at least £35m needed to land Hummels.

READ MORE –> Arsenal transfer news | Man Utd transfer news

It would certainly be a sensational coup if the North Londoners could somehow pull off this proposed double deal as both players are world class talents who’d make a huge difference to their team.

But I think they may have trouble persuading Dortmund to cash-in, particularly in the case of Hummels. The Germans may be tempted to sell Gundogan for the right money due to his contract having just 18 months left to run, but I really don’t see them selling Hummels this month.

If they fail to qualify for Europe – which looks increasingly likely – then there’s every chance the player will push for a move at the end of the season but I think the likes of Arsenal and United will have to wait until the summer if they want to stand a chance of signing the German centre-back.