While Arsenal continue to chase a spot in the 2012-2013 Champions League season, the club also appear to be in a race to add some notable names in the summer transfer period.
The most high-profile player linked to the Gunners might be Eden Hazard. According to Daily Mirror, Newcastle midfielder Yohan Cabaye told the Belgian playmaker to choose Arsenal over Tottenham.
Hazard, 21, was reportedly on Arsenal's radar last summer, and is expected to move on from Lille. He has also been linked to Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Tottenham, as well as Real Madridand Paris Saint-Germain. Arsenal have never shelled out more than £18 million for a player, and Hazard has a price tag of about £30 million.
If Arsene Wenger decides to pass on Hazard, Yann M'Vila might be the most logical option. According to Metro, Arsenal are the frontrunners to land the 21-year-old defensive midfielder. It is possible that M'Vila leaves Rennes for less than £20 million, which would make him an ideal big-name addition to Arsenal this summer. Many experts have raved about M'Vila's potential, and Wenger tends to prefer adding young, French players to the Gunners' squad.
Arsenal have a strong track record for grooming young talent, and appear to have their eyes on a 16-year-old starlet. Jules Ntcham is on the Gunners' radar, according to Daily Telegraph. The midfielder is considered a burgeoning talent for Le Havre, who are in the French second division.
Inter are reportedly the frontrunners for Ntcham, who is also being pursued by Juventus and Manchester City.
Finally, the Gunners remain in contention for Jan Vertonghen, according to Daily Telegraph. The 24-year-old centre back has been linked to the Gunners for several months, and his name is garnering interest from Newcastle, as well as Manchester City, and Manchester United.
Having Vertoghen's services would be a tantalizing prospect for Arsenal. Wenger may need to bolster his collection of defenders, and Vertoghen is capable of also playing left back and defensive midfielder.
Vertoghen would also be teaming up with current Gunners centre back and Belgian international Thomas Vermaelen.
