Zambian international could be first winter signing at Arsenal

Arsene Wenger is one of the Premier League managers expected to splash the cash in January with Arsenal’s push for a top-four berth waning and hopes of winning a trophy all but extinguished for another season.

The once mighty Gunners are 33/1, alongside lowly Malaga, to win the Champions League after drawing Bayern Munich in the last-16 of the competition and are making a move for Zambian international Stoppila Sunzu to solve their problems in the defensive midfield department.

The 23-year-old almost signed for the Gunners in 2007 but red tape prevented the switch from being completed and now Reading are thought to be ready to rival the north London club for his signature after also failing in a bid to sign him four years ago.

Sunzu is equally capable of slotting in at centre half as he is in an anchor man role and these are two departments that Arsenal have been found wanting in this term.

According to the player himself, Sunzu will complete the deal after Zambia’s African Cup of Nation’s warm-up with Tanzania, though personal terms are yet to be agreed between the Gunners and his current club, TP Mazembe.

Sunzu will be familiar with current Arsenal forward Gervinho, who lined up against him in the final of the African Cup of Nations last term, in which he bagged the winning spot-kick of a thrilling shoot-out that the Gunners’ notoriously hot and cold frontman missed in.

Obviously, Sunzu is a far cry from the big name that Arsenal fans were hoping would sign on at the Emirates this January, yet Wenger’s record of unearthing African talent means this signing should not be taking lightly.

Back in his Monaco days, the Frenchman sent George Weah on his way to super-stardom, as well as acquiring several other top stars hailing from the continent, namely Kolo Toure, Alex Song and Emmanuel Adebayor.

If the players’ proclamations are to be believed, Sunzu could be the latest individual added to this prestigious list of African stars to develop under Wenger’s guidance.

All odds and markets accurate as of publication’s time and date