With the news of a buyout clause for Marouane Fellaini opening things up, Arsenal are ready to take advantage by making a bid for the player in the January transfer window, rather than wait for the summer.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has quite a bit of cash to spend in the winter window, and is ready to match the £22 million ($35.5 million) release clause.
David Villa and Adrian Lopez are understood to be the priority targets for Wenger; however Arsenal have been discouraged by Barca over Villa, saying the striker will only be available at the end of the season and won't be sold in January.
Arsenal are also reluctant to match the £14 million ($22 million) buyout clause for Adrian, with Altetico Madrid not willing to sell for anything less.
Fellaini is having a standout season with Everton this year, playing in a more advanced position, and Wenger could use with a little bit more of a physical presence in his lineup, whether he chooses to play the Belgian as a defensive midfielder or in an attacking position.
The 24-year-old bullied and harried Arsenal's defenders in their Premier League meeting earlier this season, with former teammate Mikel Arteta admitting Fellaini had improved leaps and bounds over the past season or so.
There is little doubt that Fellaini will fit right in with Arsenal and give the Gunners that extra edge, with the fact that he is not Cup tied in Europe also working in both parties' favor.
However, Everton are unlikely to want to sell their player in January, but if the release clause, which was reported by the Times, turn out to be correct, and Fellaini is tempted to move across to the Emirates, the Toffees will not be able to do much about the situation.
Arsenal, despite not making any moves so far, are expected to bring in a couple of players over the next couple of weeks, while Theo Walcott is on the verge of agreeing a new five-year deal worth nearly £25 million ($40 million).
