If this particular Arsenal transfer rumour, then I am one Gooner who is hoping that Arsene Wenger is serious and can complete the deal in the January transfer window, although that is not likely to be easy.
Benedikt Howedes is, in my opinion, the perfect transfer target for Arsenal. The 26-year old a very talented centre back, proven by him already earning 31 caps for the Germany national team, including playing every minute for the World Cup winners at the finals in Brazil this summer.
But the reason I think Wenger will go for Howedes instead of someone like Mats Hummels, apart from the price of course, is his versatility. As well as often playing at left back, Howedes can play anywhere along the back four. But being mainly left sided would bring that extra balance to Arsenal, with Chambers and now Debuchy as cover for Mertesacker on the right.
But as Howedes came up through the ranks at his current club Schalke and has been the club captain for three years or so, he will not be easy to prise away. A report in The Mirror suggests that Wenger is preparing a £15 million bid for him in January, so we will have to see what Schalke make of that and whether Howedes is willing to move halfway through a season which sees his club in the knockout phase of the Champions League.
One thing in our favour, apparently, is that he is good friends with our BFG. So maybe Per could have a little word with his pal and persuade him that the Premier League and the Emirates stadium is the place to be. What do you think Gooners?