World Cup 2014: Arsene Wenger arrives in Brazil to get good look at Arsenal transfer targets

Gunners boss to use TV pundit job to scout reinforcements for next season

Arsenal's French coach Arsene Wenger waves as he arrive for a state dinner at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris (Getty Images)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has arrived in Brazil where he will be able to get a closer look at some of his transfer targets.

Wenger is thought to be in Sao Paulo where Mario Mandzukic and his Croatia teammates are preparing to take on hosts Brazil.

The Bayern Munich man is thought to be near the top of Wenger's hit list, although the Arsenal boss won't get to see him in action immediately as Mandzukic is suspended for the tournament opener.

However Wenger's World Cup job as a TV pundit for a French television channel should allow him plenty of opportunity to step up his search for reinforcements at Arsenal.

Mandzukic is one player strongly linked with the club having criticised Pep Guardiola and announcing that he will leave Bayern Munich.

With Arsenal almost certain to buy a striker this summer, Wenger is also thought to be considering moves for Karim Benzema and Mario Balotelli, both in action at the tournament for France and Italy respectively.

The Gunners are also said to be considering a summer move for former player Carlos Vela, activating a buy-back clause in his contract, in a £3.5m deal.

However Vela is not at the tournament after being asked to be left out for personal reasons.