Sokratis Papastathopoulos – £17m
Another fine potential defensive signing would be Borussia Dortmund’s Sokratis Papastathopoulos, whom Bild have recently linked with Arsenal.
With Per Mertesacker due to retire, Laurent Koscielny not getting any younger and Shkodran Mustafi struggling, a new-look CB partnership of Umtiti and Sokratis could really get the Gunners back to the top next season.
Bild state he’d come on the cheap as well, so there’s no excuse for Arsenal if they really do have £200m to spend.
Bernd Leno – £25m
Recently linked as a £25m target for Arsenal by the Sun, Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno would be an important addition to replace the in-decline Petr Cech.
The German shot-stopper has shone in the Bundesliga and while he may not be the biggest of names, he’d be a step in the right direction in a position that’s been neglected for all too long by Arsene Wenger.
That would bring Arsenal’s total spending to £195m, so a perfectly realistic summer for the club if the Daily Star’s report of their £200m budget proves accurate – and potentially exciting times ahead for long-suffering Gooners!