Arsenal Transfer Rumours - Wenger Preparing Influx of M'Vila, Hazard, Mertesacker and Zarate?

With just nine days to go before the close of the transfer window, Arsene Wenger is expected to make some big-name signings, at long last.

Even the bids are in place, according to The Mirror, which reports that Rennes midfielder Yann M'Vila is subject to a £15 million bid from Wenger while Lille has a £20 million offer for Eden Hazard. Wenger is also reportedly going back with an increased bid for Everton defender Phil Jagielka, after having an attempted rejected earlier in the season.

M'Vila is regarded as a physically tough midfielder, and he will be a good compliment for the creative Jack Wilshere in Arsenal's midfield, if the move goes through.

Hazard, on the other hand, is a highly-rated winger and has been wanted by top clubs across Europe. Wenger himself has been watching the player for over two years, and although Lille is refusing to sell him, a tempting offer could break their stance.

Another crucial area which needs strengthening at Arsenal is the central defensive position. With Laurent Koscielny sustaining a back injury against Liverpool at the weekend, it is believed that Wenger will go back to Everton with an increased bid for Jagielka, having had moves of £10m and £12m rejected earlier in the summer. The French tactician rates Jagielka above Bolton's Gary Cahill, while reports linking Blackburn's Christopher Samba and Birmingham's Scott Dann continue.

Werder Bremen defender Per Mertesacker is another player who has been long linked to the Emirates. A report in the caughtoffside.com suggests that Arsenal will offer wantaway forward Nicklas Bendtner to the German side as a makeweight to bring Mertesacker to London. Bendtner has been linked with moves away from Emirates all summer, and has fallen further down the pecking order after the signing of Gervinho while Mertesacker has spent six years at Bremen and is into his final year of his contract. It is believed that he wants to test himself in the Premier League.

Arsenal could be the ideal destination for him, and his defensive pairing with Thomas Vermaelen could provide much support to keeper Szczesny and shore up a weak defensive line. Arsenal currently face an injury crisis in defence, with Koscielny joining Johan Djourou and Sebastian Squillaci in the sick-bay, which left youngster Ignasi Miquel with the task of fending off Liverpool, making it crucial for Wenger to beef up his defensive forces.

Elsewhere, Arsenal's talks with Lazio's Mauro Zarate is believed to gaining pace and it is hoped that the 24-year-old striker will join the London side in time for the Premiership encounter with Manchester United next week. According to footybunker.com, Lazio have confirmed that the striker will leave the Italian side, and his talks with Arsenal are at such a stage that a move is imminent. He is valued at around £10 million and the Gunners are expected to beat off competition from Newcastle United and Spartak Moscow for his signature.