It’s not long now until the opening of the Premier League’s January transfer window, a transfer period which can either be the making or breaking of a side halfway through the season.
The opening stint of the Premiership season has been a fragmented one, with International breaks splitting gameweeks frequently; however the January transfer window signifies a chance to develop the squad for that crucial run-in.
Transfer rumours are at their most frequent during January, with big money moves reported left, right and centre. However most of these rumours end as just that, with cautious managers not wanting to upset the balance of their side midway through a campaign.
Arsenal do not escape these rumours, despite sitting at the top of the League with a seemingly sufficiently reinforced squad.
Casillas rumours continue
Firstly, Real Madrid’s legendary goalkeeper Iker Casillas has been linked with a move to the Emirates following Carlo Ancelotti's continued preference for Diego Lopez between the sticks so far this season.
Casillas was rumoured to be looking for an exit during the summer, after Jose Mourinho dropped the 32-year-old before leaving Spain himself in order to take over at Chelsea. Casillas has failed to fully regain his number 1 spot at Madrid which has seen him panic over his World Cup place.
Having won the World Cup and European Championships successively as captain of the Spanish national team, you could be forgiven for thinking Iker’s place on the plane too Brazil is a given. However, signs that Vicente del Bosque has been testing for life after Casillas have crept in, starting Pepe Reina in their win against Guinea.
Manchester United’s David de Gea and Barcelona’s Victor Valdez also wait in the wings for an international call-up.
Manchester City have also been linked with Casillas as the form of England ‘keeper Joe Hart fluctuates, and Manuel Pellegrini is unlikely to be fazed by a hefty contract requirement. City would have the funds which Arsenal would not be able to compete with, however the Gunners do have the persuasive advantage of former Madrid man Mesut Ozil in the ranks.
Casillas has himself claimed that he is in no rush to leave Spain, claiming "At 28 it will be much more difficult for me. Today, I'm one of Los Blancos. I'm delighted to be at Real Madrid. In five or six years, we'll see."
Marca report Pedro interest
Reports from Spain have also claimed that Arsenal, along with Manchester United and Liverpool, are weighing up bids for Barcelona winger Pedro Rodriguez.
Pedro was tipped for stardom when he rose through the ranks at Barcelona C, then B and finally the first team in 2008. However after 240 appearances in the Barca red and blue, Pedro has failed to hit the heights that were suggested when he made his breakthrough.
The Spaniard is unlikely to be let go on the cheap due to Lionel Messi’s injury likely to keep the world’s best player out until mid-January, however when the Argentine does return Pedro is vertain to lose his place in the side.
With attacking threats such as Messi, Neymar and Fabregas (playing as a striker in La Liga) ahead of him, the 26-year-old could be left in the cold.
It would take a large fee for Pedro to move to England however Wenger has previously claimed that he is not afraid of paying larger fees for proven players in future.
Pedro hit a hat-trick against Getafe at the weekend, just to add a few extra million to his pricetag.
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