[Transfer Latest] Parlour: Arsenal must sign Edinson Cavani, Reus bid rejected

Former Gunner Ray Parlour believes Arsenal need to sign Edinson Cavani and William Carvalho today in order to rectify the gaping holes in the squad.

Arsenal are yet to sign anyone today despite Arsene Wenger’s repeated comments of being ‘very active’ in the market. With five hours to go it is not looking promising for the Gunners.

Wenger traveled to Rome today to referee a charity match which has done little to settle fans nerves ahead of tonight’s 11pm deadline, and Parlour feels there is plenty of business to be done in order to strengthen the Arsenal squad for the long season ahead.

Edinson Cavani has been one of the big stars linked with a move to the north London outfit, and now with Ramadel Falcao securing a loan deal with Manchester United there are limited options on the market. Parlour feels Cavani is attainable at the right price, and the Gunners would do well to bring in a defensive midfield reinforcement too in order to add the necessary grit in the engine room.

Parlour said on Sportlobster.com:

If I was calling the shots I’d love to bring a striker to Arsenal. Someone like Cavani if he was available and if not I would have looked at (Wilfried) Bony, (Loic) Remy or (Javier) Hernandez.

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I reckon if he (Wenger) put the money down he could get him (Cavani). Holding I’d get (William) Carvalho and defensively there’s not a huge amount of players around. I’d take a gamble and go for Winston Reid.
I look at Chelsea and Matic is one of their best signings. This is the kind of player we need to find.
It’s different now from when I played. Now, you need a player to sit in front of the defence and be disciplined.
Gilberto Silva and Patrick Vieira handled the role very well and they need to find someone like Carvalho from Lisbon.

Unfortunately a few of the players mentioned by Parlour have either completed moves elsewhere (Hernandez and Remy) or are unlikely to leave. Carvalho has signaled his intent to remain with Sporting Lisborn which is a big blow, however Cavani could be a realistic target if we can table a big money bid for the forward.

The Uruguay international played and scored yesterday for PSG, whether or not he still remains serious about departing the French outfit it remains to be seen. He will continue to play second fiddle to Zlatan, but remains a strong presence in Laurent Blanc’s side. He would command a hefty €50million price tag, but it will no doubt be money well spent.

If it all falls through, signing Bony as a last resort is certainly not bad business. He’s a proven goalscorer in England and would be a beast for us up front. We need someone who can provide some muscle up top and hold up the ball. Whether Swansea will want to do business this late on though seems unlikely. As for Winston Reid? Unsure he will leave West Ham right now, but he’d be a brilliant signing. He can provide cover at right back if required and has become a consistent presence in the Hammers back line over the past few seasons.

Elsewhere, some reports have suggested Arsenal have tabled a €40million bid for Borussia Dortmund star Marco Reus, however the German side have decided not to entertain the offer. Whether the Gunners return for an improved bid it remains to be seen, Klopp’s men are notorious for standing strong and will not be bullied into a deal.

Not much else to report, hopefully rumours of a bid for Reus turns into something…