Arsenal reportedly remain in a standoff with Borussia Monchengladbach over star midfielder Granit Xhaka, with the Gunners reluctant to meet the Bundesliga club's asking price.But Xhaka may not be the only player from Germany's top flight targeted by Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger this summer. Reports are claiming the Frenchman also has an interest in Borussia Dortmund centre-back Mats Hummels, along with Manchester United and Barcelona.Yet, it's Xhaka whom Wenger appears to be making the most obvious moves to sign, even though the fee remains a sticking point.James Olley of theLondon Evening Standardprovided the details of the ongoing negotiations: "The German club are believed to have indicated they are willing to accept less than the original 35 million valuation but still expect close to 30m. However, Arsenal are still believed to be hovering just above the 20m mark."Despite this apparent parsimony, Arsenal's chances of actually signing Swiss stalwart Xhaka are still considered high. In fact, German publicationBild(h/tMetro'sMax Miller) have given both Arsenal and Liverpool an "80 percent chance" of eventually sealing a deal for the combative and classy 23-year-old.But the hesitation over the fee is still likely to irk frustrated Gunners supporters already short on patience with beleaguered boss Wenger.Arsenal's chief has seen a season fall apart. Knocked out of the UEFA Champions League and both domestic cups, the Gunners haven't even been able to maintain a title challenge. Wenger's men have slipped to fourth in the Premier League13 points behind leaders Leicester City and eight behind north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.This has turned into Wenger's worst campaign in charge, and many would likely blame the decision not to sign an outfield player last summer. Wenger is notoriously frugal in the marketa perception that won't be altered by the hesitation to meet Xhaka's asking price.Yet, while this seems like an easy one to criticise, Wenger is right to be a little cautious over the fee, despite Xhaka's blend of power and skill.The Monchengladbach ace would give Arsenal a better passer than current midfield destroyer Francis Coquelin. Xhaka would also prove a more robust tackler than Coquelin's fellow deep-lying midfielder, Mohamed Elneny.But if the Gunners are going to spend 30 million, it shouldn't be on a midfield still to welcome back Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla from injury. They'll join Coquelin, Elneny and Aaron Ramsey to still give Wenger plenty of options in the middle.If the Frenchman wants one more, he should consider recruiting a cheaper, more experienced player. Perhaps Manchester United veteran Michael Carrick, a 34-year-old pass-master the Gunners have been linked with once his contract expires this summer, per Transfermarketweb (h/t Mark Brus of Metro).That would leave Wenger free to spend the bulk of his transfer kitty on the areas that really need attention in this Arsenal squad. They are striker and central defence, with a prime target already emerging for the latter.Hummels on Gunners RadarGerman publication Bild(h/t Joe Short of the Daily Express) has claimed both Arsenal and United are "eyeing" Hummels, with the centre-back possibly leaving "Dortmund on a reduced fee because his contract expires in 2017."Although the reports also identify La Liga leaders Barca as keen suitors, news of Arsenal's interest in the player who "will make a decision on his future in the next few weeks" will no doubt delight those who've seen the Gunners defence crumble at times this season.The problems at the back rest mostly in the middle, where a lack of pace and aggression have been brutally exposed. This was most notable during the recent 3-3 away draw against West Ham United when target man Andy Carroll bullied Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel.Wenger had been playing the latter ahead of Per Mertesacker to try to add more athleticism to Arsenal's back four. But Brazilian Gabriel has struggled mightily to adapt to the rigours of the Premier league.Wenger believes time will heal Gabriel's ills, according to Rob Kelly of the club's official site."We boughtGabriel,and we have to give him a chance to develop as a player," Wenger said. "In training he has shown signs of developing well, so I gave him a chance and the team functioned well at Everton, at Barcelona and against Watford. There is not always an obvious reason to change."That's not a view shared by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher, who told Monday Night Football (h/t Liam Corless of the Daily Mirror) the ex-Villarreal man simply isn't good enough:Hes been there for a season now. I still dont think hes done enough to convince hes the centre back that Arsenal need to take them forward.He still looks a squad player for me if Im being totally honest, and its still an area they need to rectify in the summer.Whether or not Carragher is right, the question remains is Hummels right for Arsenal'Certainly, in terms of his on-the-ball ability, the German international is a dream fit for the way Wenger likes his teams to play. Few defenders in the game can pick a pass as well as Hummels.But while he's a useful builder of attacks, the 27-year-old can be vulnerable at the back. He's often caught out of position, and his pace is questionabletwo deficiencies that showed up during Dortmund's recent UEFA Europa League collapse against Liverpool.Hummels is a classy player, but he lacks the aggression and overtly physical qualities the Gunners have missed for too long at the heart of the back four. Wenger should cast his net a little wider in the search for new defensive recruits.Bolstering the heart of defence will be as important as finding a prolific frontman ahead of next season. Without those things, even a heavily stocked midfield won't be able to mask the problems that have wrecked this and so many other recent campaigns for Wenger and his players.
Click here to read full news..
