Arsenal transfer news: Battle for Bundesliga star, Former Spurs player suggests signing and more - 12th February 2018

Arsenal face an uphill task to sign Max Meyer

The Schalke midfielder is out of a contract in the summer, similar to teammate Leon Goretzka, who has already agreed to join Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich before the start of next season. This served as a blow to the Gunner's hopes as the London club were interested in the all-action midfielder.

If the Daily Star is to be believed, Arsenal boss, Arsene Wenger has made Max Meyer his top summer target. However, any deal for the wantaway midfielder is far from straightforward with several clubs interested. Among the suitors are some familiar names in Liverpool and Bayern Munich while AC Milan are also interested in the German.

While La Liga leaders, Barcelona are no longer interested in the player, as per Mundo Deportivo, Wenger could once again end up on the losing side if Bayern up their interest in the 22-year old. Die Roten now have a history of snapping up talented German players irrespective of competition, as the world saw recently with Goretzka and this could come back to bite Arsenal.

As the race heats up to sign one of the best young midfielders in world football, Schalke CEO Christian Heidel spoke about the situation recently and said:

"Max will be deciding shortly if he wants to stay at Schalke past the summer. Max is very happy here, Schalke is his home, we will try to make it him as comfortable financially as possible."

While Meyer makes his decision in the coming weeks, Arsenal fans will hope that Wenger has done enough to convince the player.

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Jamie Redknapp advises whom Arsenal should buy next

Redknapp reveals the type of player Arsenal need to sign

The former Spurs player spoke about the current lack of power in the Gunners' midfield and wrote on Daily Mail:

"When I played in the north London derby, what always struck me was the power Arsenal possessed. Now it is Tottenham who pack a punch."

"Arsenal can have all the pace they like in attack. Until they buy a midfield powerhouse in the vein of Patrick Vieira, they will remain also-rans in the race for the top four."

The Gunners currently have Granit Xhaka and Aaron Ramsey as their first-choice pairing with Jack Wilshere knocking on the door. However, none of them has the ability to dominate a midfield like Vieira did and Redknapp does make a valid point in that regard.

Arsenal's failed attempt at signing Goretzka as mentioned above was a genuine blow to building a world-class midfield and now Wenger needs to look elsewhere for strengthening in the summer.

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Krystian Bielik wants to return to Birmingham

Bielik joined the Gunners in 2015 from Legia Warsaw

The 20-year old is currently on loan at Walsall after completing a move on transfer deadline day in January. The Polish centre-back played in every youth level from U16s to the U19s for the national team and has been at Arsenal since 2015. The youngster opened up on a missed opportunity to move during the summer and told Polish magazine Przeglad Sportowy:

"I wanted to play in a first team in England. I would go to the Championship but, because of the injury, the clubs did not want to risk me. The next day [after the injury] I learned that I am leaving for a loan, I could choose between two major clubs from the Championship - Norwich or Nottingham. Well, I could not, because it turned out that the shoulder had to be operated."

"I want to play in the Championship. I'd love to go back to Birmingham. I would feel best there. I would not need acclimatisation. I know the club, players, coaching staff."

While doing well could open the door at the Emirates, especially given the dearth of defensive quality, Bielik has quite some way to go before achieving that target. Meanwhile, a move to Birmingham could very well be on the cards in the future if things do not go well at Arsenal.