Ten players being linked with Arsenal that would make good additions this summer.
Daryl Janmaat (Feyenoord)
With Bacary Sagna looking likely to leave Arsenal, a new right-back is surely one of Arsene Wenger’s priorities in the transfer market this summer. The Gunners will miss the experienced Sagna, who has been a good servant to the club since signing from Auxerre in 2007, though he has strongly hinted that he is dissatisfied with Arsenal’s lack of ambition in the transfer market following the sales of Robin van Persie and Alex Song last season, and is being linked with a move to big-spending French giants PSG. Meanwhile, his replacement is likely to be Daryl Janmaat, a talented Dutch right-back from Feyenoord. The 23-year-old has only been with his current club for one season, but has attracted a lot of attention with his performances and would surely be tempted by the offer a move to the Premier League. He would be the ideal candidate to be Arsenal’s first choice right-back next season, as talented youngster Carl Jenkinson is probably still not ready to replace Sagna.
Etienne Capoue (Toulouse)
Arsenal are still short in the defensive midfield department following the sale of Alex Song to Barcelona last summer. Arsene Wenger was hoping to use Abou Diaby there, but his constant problems with injuries have meant that Mikel Arteta and Aaron Ramsey have been forced into playing slightly deeper roles than they are used to. In order to truly challenge for silverware next season they will need a specialist player in this position, and Etienne Capoue of Toulouse has emerged as a strong candidate for the Gunners in this summer’s transfer window. Wenger knows the French league well, and Capoue’s performances have attracted a lot of attention from the likes of Tottenham and Liverpool as well as Arsenal, though it is believed Wenger will make a bid of £15million to sign the 24-year-old. His reputation as a strong, tough tackler will appeal to Arsenal fans, who feel their side often lack a bit of aggression, and it would be a big boost to bring him to the Emirates Stadium, beating off competition from their rivals in the process.
Mohamed Diame (West Ham)
A cheaper option for Arsenal may be West Ham midfielder Mohamed Diame. The Gunners were said to be in for him in January, and they are likely to consider him again this summer as he has a minimum release fee clause of just £3.5million. Tottenham were also chasing the Senegalese international, but the lure of Champions League football should swing this deal in the Gunners’ favour. Diame’s lower price and Premier League experience may make him a slightly preferable option over Toulouse’s Etienne Capoue, though either would be an excellent addition to the team’s defensive midfield department. The Hammers will be keen to keep him and offer him a new contract to avoid losing such a key player on the cheap, but he is reported to have turned down an offer from the club when hearing of Arsenal’s interest in January, so it’s obvious he is flattered by the interest being shown in him. This strong defensive-minded midfielder has also shown a good eye for goal, netting some impressive finishes against the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United, as well as Arsenal themselves, at Upton Park this season – a useful bonus, no doubt.
Clement Grenier (Lyon)
Arsenal have reportedly confirmed an interest in Clement Grenier, an exciting young attacking midfield player from Lyon. The 22-year-old has burst onto the scene in Ligue 1 this season, scoring 7 goals and providing 9 assists, which have now seen him attract interest from Arsenal’s Premier League rivals Liverpool as well. The player himself has welcomed Arsenal’s interest, and the opportunity to link up with French legend Arsene Wenger will no doubt be appealing to a young player from France. The Arsenal boss will hope to use this to his advantage, and add Grenier to an exciting-looking attacking midfield with the likes of Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere, Lukas Podolski and Theo Walcott. Grenier can play in a number of attacking positions and would suit the Gunners’ expansive style of play perfectly, making him a very good option for them this summer. Although it is perhaps not a position that urgently needs strengthening, it would be good for Arsenal to show some ambition and improve on squad players like Tomas Rosicky to give themselves more higher-quality options to choose from, which would also afford the likes of Cazorla more of a rest once in a while.
Adil Rami (Valencia)
One of the most consistent defenders in La Liga has emerged as a very promising target for Arsenal this summer. Valencia’s Adil Rami could be available on the cheap after expressing a desire to leave for a bigger club to boost his chances of being first choice in the French national team for next summer’s World Cup. The 27-year-old is also wanted by both Manchester clubs, though he may feel he has a better chance of being first choice at the Emirates Stadium, despite the obvious temptation to join United or City who can offer more money and probably more chance of silverware. A centre-back such as Rami would be a great signing for the Gunners, who are likely to make changes in defence in the upcoming transfer window. Laurent Koscielny is supposedly a target for Bayern Munich and may leave for around £20million, and Thomas Vermaelen could be on his way out after a difficult season that has seen him dropped to the bench for a poor run of form. Wenger will certainly need to replace these players, as his side have struggled defensively for much of the season as it is, and have no suitable backup options currently at the club if they lose these players.
Ashley Williams (Swansea City)
Failing a move for Rami, who may indeed favour a move to Manchester United or Manchester City, Arsenal are also being linked with Swansea City captain Ashley Williams. The Welsh centre-back has been in fine form since making the step up to the Premier League with Swansea, and led the team to glory this season in their Capital One Cup win. His defensive qualities are obvious, and he is also a strong and vocal leader at the back, which is something Arsenal have certainly lacked in recent times. Liverpool are also interested in the 28-year-old, as they seek a replacement for the retiring Jamie Carragher, and they may have an edge over Arsenal as Williams could be keen to reunite with his old Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers. In an ideal world, perhaps, Arsenal could sign both Rami and Williams, as they could not only do a good job of replacing Vermaelen and Koscielny, but perhaps relegate Per Mertesacker to the bench, as he is certainly a player who could be improved on with these signings.
Julio Cesar (Queens Park Rangers)
The signing of Brazilian goalkeeper Julio Cesar from Queens Park Rangers looks increasingly likely for Arsenal, with reports claiming a deal is all but done to bring the 33-year-old to the Emirates Stadium next season. The former Inter Milan shot-stopper was a surprise signing for Rangers this year, but did a good job in the Premier League despite the club’s poor performances overall, and subsequent relegation to the Championship. A big name such as Cesar is almost certain to leave for a bigger club after QPR failed to beat the drop, and he would be an excellent upgrade on Arsenal’s current first choice goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who is another player to have had a slightly disappointing season and dip in form. Given his age, Cesar would be a good short-term option before eventually promoting Szczesny back to first choice after a spell out of the limelight. The Pole is no doubt talented, but his early rise to the first team may have come too quickly and another option is needed for Arsene Wenger, as he simply cannot afford to see his side continue to give away cheap goals from individual mistakes.
Simon Mignolet (Sunderland)
Another option in goal for Arsenal could be Sunderland’s Simon Mignolet. The talented Belgian has been in great form for the Black Cats this season, with his numerous fine saves keeping them in games and helping them survive in the Premier League in an otherwise poor campaign from his team-mates. Given Sunderland’s struggles, he is unlikely to want to remain at the Stadium of Light, and is a £10million target for a number of top clubs, including Manchester United, Liverpool and Napoli. As already mentioned, Arsenal’s need for a goalkeeper of this match-winning quality is great, and Mignolet would be just as good, if not better than Julio Cesar. The 25-year-old would certainly be a more long-term option than the 33-year-old Brazilian, and would possibly signal the end of Wojciech Szczesny’s Arsenal career altogether. Other goalkeepers that have been linked with Arsenal include Stoke City’s Asmir Begovic and Swansea City’s Michel Vorm, though Mignolet and Cesar appear to be the strongest rumours at the moment.
Stevan Jovetic (Fiorentina)
This long-drawn out transfer saga will hopefully be brought to an end, as Arsenal should simply pay Fiorentina’s asking price for this talented forward. The Gunners appeared to be close to signing him for around £15million, though interest from the likes of Chelsea and Juventus have seen La Viola raise their asking price to £25million. The latest report is that Fiorentina are not looking to sell him, but Arsenal have hopefully not missed their chance in winning the race for the 23-year-old. The Montenegro international scored 12 times for the Serie A club this season, and is known for his ability to link up play and create chances for his team-mates, making him an almost archetypal Wenger player. The Gunners boss should stop his frugal approach to transfers and make sure his team can add this excellent player to their lineup, as he would surely prove a massive help in bringing some much-needed silverware back to the club.
Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid)
One of the most exciting players being linked to Arsenal this summer is Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain. The 25-year-old Argentine has been harshly placed on the transfer list by his club despite seven years of fine service, with 122 goals in 266 games despite often not being a regular. His eye for goal would be a very useful attribute for Arsenal, who have a reputation for signing strikers who miss a lot of easy chances, meaning Arsene Wenger’s side often end up drawing games they should have won. Higuain would no doubt be expensive at around £22million, but he would be worth every penny especially if the Gunners miss out on Jovetic. Juventus are said to be leading the chase for him, but Wenger would do well to fight them all the way for a player who would surely be the club’s best natural finisher since Thierry Henry.