The continuation of the Euro 2016
tournament in France is a fine distraction for Gunners fans, as it is one month
taken up with a feast of football before the Premier League kicks off again in
August. Arsene Wenger has already bolstered his ranks with the addition of
midfielder, Granit Xhaka from Borussia Monchengladbach for a reported £30m fee,
but it is hoped – and expected by the Arsenal fanbase that the chequebook will
be flashed on a few more occasions before the summer transfer window slams
shut.
Both Manchester clubs head the betting for
the 2017 Premier League title race and the Gunners can be had at the current
best industry price of 6/1 to claim back the title for the first time since
2004. Premier League football is now awash with financial clout as the new
television deal offers every club significant funds to strengthen their playing
squad this summer.
Here we will look at five potential new
recruits, who could help the Gunners return to the summit once again.
Attacking power
After missing out on a deal to bring
England striker Jamie Vardy to the Emirates, as the Leicester man has agreed a
new four-year deal to stay at the King Power stadium, it is obvious that Wenger
is looking firmly at bolstering his attacking power. Step forward Everton and Belgium
striker, Romelu Lukaku. At 23 years of age, Lukaku has already had plenty of
Premier League experience since signing for Chelsea almost five years ago.
After a £28m move to Everton back in 2014, the striker has enhanced his profile
with some excellent performances - and most notably – goals. The pace and power
that Lukaku has in his locker would offer a different option as the focal point
of the Gunners attack, and Wenger could be prepared to pounce after Euro 2016.
Enforcer
Arsene Wenger has made no
secret of his admiration of Leicester City’s defensive diminutive
midfielder N’Golo Kante. After signing from Caen for just eight million euros,
Kante was highly instrumental in Leicester’s Premier League title charge. At
25, he has that instinctive knack of being in the right place at the right time
to sniff out danger from opposition attacks. Despite his lack of size, Kante
has proven he can mix it in the physical style of the English game, and the
French enforcer would be a hugely important signing if Arsenal could get their
man.
Surplus
It is well documented that both Manchester
United and City have new managers for the upcoming campaign, and with different
opinions to van Gaal and Pellegrini,
there could be player departures at Old Trafford and the Emirates. With that in
mind, United have already splashed
out £30m on Villarreal defender Eric Bailly as Mourinho is obviously
looking for a more powerful partner for Chris Smalling, and that could mean
that United utility-man Daley Blind could be surplus to requirements in
Manchester. Blind was signed from Ajax for around £14m two summers ago, and
performed well last season in a centre-back role. Equally adept at left-back or
as a defensive midfielder, Blind can offer the versatility that Wenger might
decide to go for.
Fast improving
The French transfer market has often been a
successful conveyor belt of Arsenal signings under Wenger, and Lyon’s Corentin
Tolisso could be another player to arrive from our Gallic neighbours any time
soon. The 21 year-old midfielder scored five goals last season, and Tolisso was
statistically the most accurate passer of the ball for his club side. A regular
of the French under-21 team. Tolisso, is a fast improving talent who could help
replace the losses of Rosicky and Arteta within the Arsenal ranks.
Brazil brothers?
Gabriel Paulista may have another fellow
Brazillian alongside him in the Gunners defence next season as left-back
Douglas Santos is apparently high on Wenger’s wish list. The 22 year-old
Atletico Mineiro star has already made his full national team debut for Brazil,
and had a very successful recent campaign for his club side. Reportedly
available for around £8m, Douglas Santos
would face stiff competition from Nacho Monreal and Kieran Gibbs for a starting
role, but has plenty of time on his side.
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