He may currently be sidelined with a broken toe, the latest in a string of unfortunate fitness setbacks that have plagued the talented forward in the last couple of years, but Marco Reus remains a man firmly under the spotlight.

Each passing transfer window brings with it a fresh round of speculation surrounding his future and, even when the market is closed, rumours rumble on regarding a possible big-money switch for one of the most sought-after figures in European football.

That remains the case at present, with focus shifting towards January just two weeks after the passing of the summer deadline.

We may be some three-and-a-half months away from top-flight sides being able to enter into recruitment discussions again, but that has done little to stem the seemingly endless tide of gossip.

Reus, unsurprisingly, finds himself at the centre of such talk, with Spanish media outlet Fichajes suggesting that Manchester United – long-time suitors of the Germany international – are readying a New Year approach to test Borussia Dortmund’s resolve.

The German giants, currently top of the pile in their domestic title race and the side best placed to challenge Bayern Munich for top honours according to many a Bundesliga betting market, are understandably reluctant to part with their prized asset and are expected to stand firm until at least the end of the season.

A sizeable offer would have to be considered, though, with Reus expected to fetch somewhere around £31million, perhaps slightly more if a bidding war is opened.

United may have deep pockets and should have no problem finding the required funds, but do they really need to be investing heavily again, after splashing out on Memphis Depay and Anthony Martial over the summer, to secure the services of another forward-thinking player?

Were the Premier League to come calling in January, or July 2016, then Arsenal should surely be the side leading the charge…shouldn’t they?

Arsene Wenger stubbornly refused to dust off the Emirates Stadium cheque book during the most recent window – becoming the only manager across Europe’s top five divisions not to invest in outfield additions – and he will be under pressure to spend when the opportunity presents itself again.

The Gunners clearly need attacking reinforcements, with Danny Welbeck’s latest injury leaving them considerably short on options, and Reus would appear to be tailor-made for their system – as a forward capable of playing off a big target man such as Olivier Giroud and linking up with the creative sparks of Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla et al.

He would be the big-name signing the north London faithful crave, is a proven performer at the very highest level and would not break the bank if the figures being mooted at this stage are anything to go by – he would certainly be cheaper than Sanchez and Ozil.

Wenger has been heavily linked in the past, so is clearly an admirer, and if moves are to be made over the course of the next few months, be that winter or summer, then the Frenchman needs to ensure that he muscles his way past the likes of United and to the front of the chasing pack.