Newcastle playmaker Hatem Ben Arfa admitted he would like a move to Arsenal in the near future, while Arsene Wenger considers making a bid for West Ham midfielder Mohamed Diame.
Newcastle are already in a crisis of sorts, with Alan Pardew's men lying near the relegation zone, and top scorer Demba Ba signing for Chelsea. Defensive stalwart Fabricio Coloccini has requested Newcastle to let him move back to Argentina, with Ben Arfa now expressing his desire to leave St James' Park.
The French international has been sorely missed by Newcastle when he has been out injured, with the 25-year-old providing the Magpies the creative spark whenever he is on the pitch.
The Frenchman has been linked with Arsenal in the past, with Wenger well aware of the player's talents.
Ben Arfa said he has grown accustomed to playing in the English Premier League, and wants to move to a bigger club, with Arsenal among his preferred choices.
"I am interested in Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool," Ben Arfa told Beln Sport. "Today, these clubs are above Newcastle.
"During the summer, there was contact with Chelsea. But I wanted to stay in Newcastle. When you've tasted England, it's hard to go elsewhere. There is everything to make you happy here."
Ben Arfa, who still has two-and-a-half years remaining on his contract, would fit in well with Arsenal's contingent, with the Frenchman's experience in the Premier League also a big plus.
Wenger is on the lookout for signings that will make a difference to the Gunners for the rest of the season and beyond, but Newcastle are unlikely to be willing to let go of their player in January.
The Magpies are also likely to demand a considerable transfer fee, were they to listen to offers at the end of the season, with Ben Arfa to cost Arsenal, Chelsea or Liverpool somewhere in the region of £20 million ($32 million).
Another player who is being heavily linked with a move to the Emirates is Diame, with West Ham desperately scrambling to put off all suitors by offering the powerful midfielder a new contract, just six months after joining the Hammers, according to The Sun.
Diame reportedly has a release clause of just £3.5 million ($5.5 million), with Wenger set to take advantage of that loophole.
West Ham are trying to negotiate a new contract with Diame, with the buyout clause set to increase to £7 million ($11 million), but the 25-year-old has so far stalled on signing the new deal.
Arsenal are in desperate need of a screening midfielder, with Mikel Arteta set to miss the rest of the month through injury. Wenger hinted at the possibility of signing a man capable of playing in the center of the park, with Toulouse hardman Etienne Capoue also linked.
