Arsenal transfer rumours and news: Odion Ighalo move possible; Chelsea target Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain; Mikel Arteta linked with Emirates exit

Sevilla midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak admits he is aware of Gunners interest; Guardiola could be good for Arsenal

Watford striker Odion Ighalo (Getty Images)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is eying a shock move for Watford’s striking sensation Odion Ighalo, according to reports. Scouts from the Emirates have been instructed to find the Frenchman a new forward ahead of next season and, with 14 goals to his name, the Hornets man is among the Premier League’s most in-form goalscorers.

Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, the Borussia Dormund striker, and Leverkusen’s Javier Hernandez have been linked with North London in recent weeks but the Daily Mail say Ighalo could represent a cheaper option. The Aubameyang deal could demand an outlay in the region of £40m while Hernandez is enjoying life in Germany. Quique Sanchez Flores, the Watford manager, said: “It's completely impossible. Our target as a team is very clear.”

Grzegorz Krychowiak, the Sevilla midfielder, has admitted he has heard about the speculation linking him with Arsenal. The Polish star is fancied by the Gunners hierarchy as the perfect fit to slide into their midfield in a similar role to the one executed by Francis Coquelin.

Speaking to FourFourTwo, Krychowiak said: “The Premier League? Some say it’s the best in the world, other people think that’s La Liga. I've heard about Arsenal, but I leave it to my agent. I trust him and he's the one who deals with that kind of the stuff. I can’t think about things like that. I have to keep my mind free of any distraction and just focus on doing my job for Sevilla.” The 25-year-old has 29 caps for his country, scoring twice, following his debut in 2008.

Oxlade-Chamberlain

One player who could be on the way out at the Emirates is winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The England star is highly-rated by manager Wenger but Chelsea are reported to be interested in securing his services should they sell Eden Hazard to Real Madrid.

The Sun suggest the Spanish giants are desperate to land the Belgian despite his poor start to the season at Stamford Bridge. New boss Zinedine Zidane is known to be a fierce admirer of Hazard. It is claimed that former Blues manager Jose Mourinho set the wheels in motion on a bid for Oxlade-Chamberlain last summer and the club are happy to continue where he left off, despite sacking the Portuguese in December.

Another linked with an exit in the capital is captain Mikel Arteta - who is the subject of interest from London rivals West Ham United, according to the Brentwood Gazette. The 33-year-old has featured sparingly for Wenger’s Premier League table-toppers this campaign following the success of Coquelin in the middle of the park.

The Spaniard is likely to attract interest from across the top flight, meaning the Hammers would face a fight to secure the former Everton man’s services. Since joining in 2011, Arteta has made 108 appearances for Arsena, scoring 14 goals and lifting two FA Cups.

Outgoing Bayern Munich head coach Pep Guardiola (Getty Images)

Pep Guardiola could be the perfect successor to the throne at Arsenal, says current Gunners boss Wenger. The Bayern Munich boss is set to leave the Bundesliga giants in the summer and is headed for England, supposedly Manchester City. But rumours are rife that the former Barcelona boss could be swayed by a late offer from one of City’s rivals.

Wenger said: “Would Pep's three-year blocks suit Arsenal? Anything is suitable. Every manager has his own way to run and model his career. There's not only one way as long as they give their best to the club where they are. What I think is most important is that anybody who works for a football club gives full commitment.”