Arsene Wenger knows he needs a centre-back this month. Now, the Arsenal manager knows at least one prospective target is open to a move to the Emirates Stadium.

West Ham United’s rugged central defender, Winston Reid, has apparently decided on Arsenal as his so-called “dream move.” That’s according to Daily Mirror reporter Darren Lewis.

He believes the 26-year-old New Zealand international was dropped by Hammers boss Sam Allardyce due to the distraction caused by the ongoing transfer speculation. Reid won’t sign a new deal with the east London club and wants the Hammers to thrash out an agreement with the Gunners.

“West Ham are insistent that they want around £8 million for the centre-back should Arsenal come in for him this month,” Lewis wrote. “The Gunners had hoped to land Reid for around £4-5 million. Reid fears he will be priced out of a move.”

There’s plenty to recommend Wenger pursuing Reid. The 26-year-old is combative, pacy and good in the air. Arsenal’s first-choice pairing, Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker, don’t necessarily combine all of those attributes.

Wenger has needed cover behind this experienced duo all season. Raw youngster Calum Chambers has chafed under the burden of filling in since signing from Southampton last summer.

By contrast, Reid is a battle-worn player well-versed in the frenetic, physical environment of England’s Premier League. He would require no adaptation period. That marks him out compared to another prospective target, Mats Hummels.

The classy Borussia Dortmund stopper has been on the Gunners radar for a while. However, it seems that Arsenal and other interested clubs, including Premier League rivals Manchester United, will have to wait.

The Germany international told Die Welt (h/t Daily Mail reporter Thomas Jacobs) that he wants to stay in Dortmund, at least for the time being: “Would I play in Dortmund without the Champions League? I do not think qualification for the Champions League will be the only requirement to be happy.”

B/R analyst Sam Tighe broke down Hummels’ attributes and what he’d bring to potential suitors:

As a ball-playing centre-back, Hummels has all the qualities to suit Wenger’s possession-based game. He would also offer the aerial prowess the Arsenal defence has lacked at times this season.

But it seems Wenger will have to wait until at least the summer to make any potential deal happen. That rates as another minor blow in what is becoming a far-flung search for defensive help.

Wenger is also reportedly targeting Villarreal’s Gabriel Paulista. However, B/R La Liga expert Guillem Balague has suggested the Brazilian will command a steep fee:

One decision that may be easier for Wenger involves the immediate future of striker Joel Campbell. The youthful Costa Rica international remains a loan target for Real Sociedad and ex-Everton and Manchester United gaffer David Moyes.

The Gunners are reportedly prepared to give Moyes an answer within 24 hours, per Daily Mirror writer John Cross. He lists Valencia, Inter Milan and Benfica as fellow interested parties but also states Wenger’s preference for Campbell is to move to a Premier League club to gain some experience.

The Arsenal chief has already sent Yaya Sanogo on loan to Crystal Palace. Learning the ropes in England’s top flight seems like the next logical step in Campbell’s development.

Despite also having Lukas Podolski on loan at Inter, the Gunners could afford to send another striker out. Wenger can count on attacking talisman Alexis Sanchez to lead the line. He also has natural centre-forward Olivier Giroud to call on along with wide forwards Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck.

Attack is the one area Arsenal are certainly well-stocked.

Yet the story is not as simple at the back. Wenger must recruit a quality centre-back in the January transfer window. It may mean casting a wide net, as West Ham continue to dig their heels in over Reid.

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