Known to be stringent customers, Arsenal are very rarely involved in transfers involving huge fees. As the new season looms large, Arsenal seem to lack real conviction and depth for a team that aims to play 60 odd games. With an ageing defence and an injury prone midfield, who can they turn to if all goes wrong?
Here are some players Arsenal could sign, that are efficient and well within their range of purchase.
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Arda Turan(Barcelona)
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The Turkish midfielder has had a quite stagnant career following his move to Barcelona. Once a regular and significant threat at Atletico Madrid, he is now seen by many as a spent force. He was considered as an ideal replacement for Iniesta but was never really given the opportunity to prove himself at Camp Nou. Aged 30, he would look to kick-start his career elsewhere.
It has been widely rumoured that he has agreed to personal terms with Galatasaray, surely Arsenal can hijack the deal!
It won’t take much effort to convince Turan to choose England over Turkey, given that he still has a lot of time left in his playing career.
Valued at £74 million by Barca, Arsenal can considerably bring down that price tag given their previous dealings with the Cules and the fact that Arda is a bit-part player at the club. A bid in the region of £30 million would suffice.
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Idrissa Gueye(Everton)
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The emergence of Kante as a successful diminutive player prompted the Premier League clubs to search for scavengers in midfield. Idrissa ‘Gana’ Gueye is one such midfielder who plies his trade for Everton. A reliable ball winner and an able cover for the backline, he could be the next pea-sized Patrick Vieira in disguise!
At 27 years of age, he has time on his side and can peak, under the tutelage of Arsene Wenger, into Kante 2.0.
With Everton seemingly interested in Sigurdsson and Morgan Schneiderlin raking in the minutes as he eases into the Everton starting XI, Gueye could find the prospect of joining Arsenal promising.
Did we mention cheap?
Gueye could be available for a cut-price of £18 million, which is a bargain considering what he brings to the team. He is Premier League proven, so why not?
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Jonathan Tah(Bayer Leverkusen)
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If we speak about upcoming next gen CB’s, Bayer’s Jonathan Tah is sure to make the cut. Standing at 6’3, the 21-year-old has enjoyed a decent spell in the Bundesliga. A ball-playing defender who loves to dribble, he would perfectly fit the bill at Arsenal.
Given Arsenal’s ageing back line, Tah’s inclusion will add some steel and provide considerable strength in depth.
He could further be persuaded by the presence of Mustafi and Mertesacker who would make it easy for him to settle in London.
Available for a cut-price of £22 million, his signing would be more of an investment which would reap rewards at a later stage.
