Arsene Wenger's January striker shortlist revealed

By John Cross in Football Spy

Published 05:00 06/01/10

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Arsene Wenger has got the money - but will he spend it?

The Arsenal manager has been insisting that he does not like buying players in January and may not necessarily sign a striker to solve his injury crisis.

But if you look at his recent deals in January, Wenger is something of a master when it comes to pulling off deals in the winter market.

Andrey Arshavin (the best signing of 2009), Jose Antonio Reyes (part of the Invincibles), Abou Diaby, Theo Walcott and Emmanuel Adebayor (ignore the hassle, just think of the profit) all arrived in previous January transfer windows.

With Robin van Persie out for most of the season and Nicklas Bendtner still recovering after groin surgery, Wenger is scouring Europe for a striker to fill the gap.

But with Arsenal the top scorers in the Premier League, it is far from being a given that he will sign one. Just to complicate matters, Wenger is considering a loan deal before signing a long-term striker in the summer.

Wenger even afforded himself a laugh when he saw my list of targets written down on my notepad at the training ground on Tuesday. If only he'd put us out of our misery... Mind you, he did offer me a scouting contract!

Here's my verdict on the names in the frame:

Mario Balotelli (19, Inter Milan, £20million)
Wenger has already admitted he is a big admirer of the Inter Milan hot shot - but has completely dismissed any chance of a deal.

Chelsea are keen and that Arsenal cannot compete in a £20million auction. "There is no chance," said Wenger.
Transfer rating: 0/5

Edin Dzeko (23, Wolfsburg, £25million)
The giant 6ft 3in striker is top of Wenger's wanted list. Bar none. He's got all the qualities: he's prolific, has pace and a physical presence. But getting him is another matter.

Arsenal have tracked him for more than a year, had a £10million bid turned down last summer and Wolfsburg value him at £30million. Furthermore, Dzeko has set his heart on a move to AC Milan. As such, the chances of Arsenal getting their man are slim.
Transfer rating: 3/5
Edin Dzeko profile: 10 things you need to know about the Arsenal target - plus watch him scoring goals for fun  

Ruud van Nistelrooy (33, Real Madrid, loan)
On the surface, it may seem utterly unrealistic that an ex-Manchester United, Gooners hate figure could join Arsenal.

But if time is running out, things are getting desperate and players are not back from injury, then Wenger may consider it. The boss has already laughed it off but sometimes needs must...

Real Madrid are ready to let him go out on loan in January to help his fitness levels and Liverpool have pulled out of the running.
Transfer rating: 2/5

Marouane Chamakh (25, Bordeaux, £3million)
Wenger had the chance to sign Chamakh last summer - and quibbled over £1million.

Bordeaux wanted £6million but Arsenal offered £5million - and how they must now regret not going the extra yard for the Moroccan.

Arsenal have made discreet enquiries again about a deal in January and Chamakh says the Gunners want him to sign now. But it's much more likely to happen when the striker will be available for free in the summer.
Transfer rating: 3
Marouane Chamakh: 10 things you need to know about the Liverpool and Arsenal target  

Andre-Pierre Gignac (24, Toulouse, £15million)
A big, powerful French international. Not so prolific this season after scoring plenty of goals last season.

There was big interest in him last summer, his value may have dropped a bit and Gignac may yet emerge as the number one target this summer because others are out of range.
Transfer rating: 4/5

10 things you need to know about Andre-Pierre Gignac  

Carlton Cole (26, West Ham, £9million)
The England striker is definitely on Wenger's radar; he likes Cole because he's big, strong and scores goals.

But Arsenal have fears about his injury record and doubts as to whether he has a long-running knee problem. That almost certainly kills off a January deal, especially as he's currently out injured.
Transfer rating: 2/5

Gabriel Agbonlahor (23, Aston Villa, £20million)
This one is a non-starter in January. But if ever the Villa forward fancied a move then there is no bigger fan of Agbonlahor than Wenger because of his pace and ability to destroy opponents.
Transfer rating: 0/5

Eden Hazard (18, Lille, £6million)
Rather like Brazilian Wellington Silva and Anderlecht's teenager Romelu Lukaku, Belgian starlet Hazard is one for the future.

Arsenal have been tracking Hazard for months and may follow Silva to the Premier League at the right price. But they're all for the future.
Transfer rating: 1/5
 

Who do you think Arsenal should sign? Let us know by leaving a comment below

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