Revealed: The five top targets on Arsene Wenger's January shopping list

ARSENE WENGER is preparing to overhaul Arsenal's midfield as the club careers of three veterans come to an end.



Arsenal could swoop for Kokorin (left), Wanyama and Mane (top tight) or Rabiot in January



 

It has emerged Mathieu Flamini, Mikel Arteta and Tomas Rosicky will all be let go next summer.

The three midfielders will not have their contracts extended, meaning manager Wenger is now on the look-out for replacements.

The Frenchman is already thought to be eyeing a January swoop for a defensive midfielder to help his side cope with the long-term absences of Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere and Francis Coquelin through injury.

And here News News Blog Sport takes a look at which players Arsenal could sign in January, and which targets will be left for the summer.

 

Victor Wanyama (Southampton)

Arsenal reportedly wanted Wanyama two summers ago but failed to meet Celtic's asking price for the defensive midfielder.

Southampton were all too happy to stump up the estimated £12.5million transfer fee to bring him to the Premier League.

The Kenya international has made 20 appearances for Saints this season, picking up four yellow cards and one red.

It is thought Arsenal can sign the 24-year-old in January for £15m, although Southampton will likely try to push that price up.

 

Sadio Mane (Southampton)

Another player reportedly on Arsenal's shopping list is Southampton's Mane.

Manchester United twice tried to sign the winger back in the summer after missing out on Barcelona ace Pedro, who moved to Chelsea.

Mane, 23, is not thought to be a top priority of Wenger's but the Daily Mirror claim a bid could come in for the Senegal international.

Mane joined Saints in an £11.8m deal back in 2014 and has scored seven goals for the club this season.

 

Adrien Rabiot (PSG)

A more realistic choice should Wenger move for an attacking midfielder is Paris Saint-Germain's Rabiot.

Ligue 1 champions PSG have already indicated the player could leave if someone matches their £10m valuation.

Rabiot is said to want first-team football as he seeks selection with France for the European Championships next summer.

"Yes, we are short and the number of games we have to play in January are very important," Wenger admitted recently.

"God knows how we will come out of the Christmas period, with a lot of demand on the physical front so we need to do something."

Mohamed Elneny (Basel)

The Daily Mirror claim Basel's impressive 23-year-old is a serious target of Wenger's.

Elneny joined Basel in 2013 and has helped them win three successive Swiss league titles.

And the defensive midfielder would come in cheap, with reports suggesting he may cost around £5m - a bargain compared to other targets of a similar age.

 



Aleksandr Kokorin could agree to join Arsenal before the January window opens



Aleksandr Kokorin (Dynamo Moscow)

Arsenal are reportedly on the verge of completing this deal, with Wenger keen on securing an outfield player before the January transfer deadline opens.

Kokorin, 24, can play on the wing or up front and is seen as a competent replacement for the injury Danny Welbeck.

Russian compatriot Andrei Kanchelskis, who played for Manchester United, Everton and Southampton during his career, has urged the player to leave Moscow for the Premier League.

"Kokorin should jump at the chance to go to that country," Kanchelskis said. "The Russian championship is very weak and Aleksandr can progress at Arsenal.

"Arsenal are the best option for Aleksandr’s career. If he is prepared to work a lot, he will not have any problems."