Arsenal Chasing Duo In Preparation For Summer Spending Spree – Report

Arsenal have put African defender Stoppila Sunzu and Newcastle star Yohan Cabaye at the top of their transfer wishlist, according to reports, with the club looking to purchase a host of new players to get back to their title challenging ways.

Sunzu has been linked with possible moves to the Premier League in the past, with the centre-back taking Zambia to win the Africa Cup of Nations in 2012.

While he was considering a new deal with Congolese club TP Mazembe, Sunderland and Reading were both keeping tabs on the situation, but now that the 23-year-old has signed a new contract, Arsenal look to be the only side with the budget to meet their £4 million asking price.

Arsene Wenger is currently under fire over his side's performance this season, and with supporters growing increasingly unhappy with the club as they struggle to compete for trophies, it would seem a big summer is on the cards if Wenger hopes to get the fans back on side.

And with the Frenchman well known for finding talent before it's been discovered - and had the price hiked up accordingly - by other clubs, Metro claims he is looking at bringing Sunzu in to give more depth to his defensive line-up, who have once again been depleted by injuries this season.

Meanwhile, the Express is reporting that the north London club will also square up with Manchester United in the hopes of purchasing Cabaye, with the £15 million-rated Toon midfielder a highly sought-after target in the summer as Wenger considers spending up to £70 million on new talent.

Newcastle are close to facing a relegation battle this season, a huge fall from grace after their fifth-placed finish in 2012.

Alan Pardew has so far lost goal-scoring star Demba Ba, with Fabricio Coloccini requesting an exit and Hatem Ben Arfa openly talking about making a move to a bigger club.

And with that in mind, Arsenal and United will know that with disappointment this season comes the possibility that Cabaye may also be tempted by a move elsewhere.