Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger reportedly has a record transfer budget to spend on players this summer and the Frenchman looks set to splash the cash in an attempt to win Arsenal’s first piece of silverware since 2005. Here are Arsenal’s top ten transfer targets for this summer.
10- Younes Belhanda- Montpellier
Belhanda is one of the most promising young players in French football and he played a key role in Montpellier Ligue One triumph in 2012. The French club gave the midfielder a big pay rise to keep him at the club but Belhanda has been attracting a lot of interest over the past year, leading to mounting speculation that he will leave this summer. Monpellier’s chairman seemed to confirm this when he revealed that the French club had received two bids for Belhanda, although he didn’t identify which two clubs they were. One of them could be Arsenal, who have been interested in Belhanda all season. Arsene Wenger has always liked bringing young French players to the Gunners and they are normally successful and he believes that he can mould Belhanda into another world class player. However, Arsenal are set to face competition from other clubs, including North London rivals Tottenham, who were close to signing the midfielder last summer. Belhanda could be available for around £8 million, representing quite a bargain for the side that signs him, Arsenal will just hope that it’s them.
9- Victor Wanyama- Celtic
Wanyama has enjoyed a highly successful season at Celtic, helping the club to win the Scottish Premier League and reach the second round of the Champions League. It is his performances in the Champions League that has led to interest from clubs, especially his performances against Barcelona at Celtic Park, when Celtic won 2-1. Ever since the Barcelona game, speculation has been mounting that the Kenyan may move to another club in the summer and Arsenal are amongst the front-runners to make a move for the midfielder. Wenger is looking to buy a central midfielder this summer with Mikel Arteta getting older and the dynamic Wanyama could be the player that he is after. However, Wenger will have to compete with a host of interest clubs, including Newcastle, Southampton and Inter Milan. Southampton were thought to have agreed a fee with Celtic but were unable to agree personal terms with Wanyama. With so many clubs interested in the midfielder it is hard to know who the frontrunners are but if Arsenal were to bid for the midfielder, it is likely that the player would be attracted by a move to Arsenal as they should be challenging for silverware next season and they will be in the Champions League.
8- David Villa- Barcelona
Arsenal are one of many clubs who are interested in the Spanish international. Villa is one of the most dangerous strikers in Europe and can score a wide variety of different goals, from the spectacular to the simple. The striker is set to leave Barcelona this summer after he struggled to hold down a place in Barcelona’s starting line-up last season. Villa had been out of action with injury for awhile and found it difficult to find a place back in the Catalan giants team. It seems that it will be even harder for him to get into Barcelona’s side next season, as the club have signed Brazilian Neymar. Villa is desperate to play for Spain at next summers World Cup and he knows that he will only make the squad if he is playing regular first team football. Tottenham, Fiorentina and more recently Manchester City have stated their interest in the Spanish striker but Villa would be interested in a move to the Emirates, where he would get first-team football and be able to play in the Champions League. A proven goal scorer like Villa would certainly help Arsenal move back towards the top of the Premier League.
7- Michu- Swansea City
The Spanish striker has had a fantastic first season in the Premier League and could be regarded as one of the buys of last summer after signing for the Welsh club for just £2 million from Rayo Vallecano. Michu scored 22 goals for the Swans as the club managed a top ten finish in the Premier League and won the League Cup. The Spaniard’s prolific form has led to speculation that some of the country’s bigger clubs could make a move for the striker this summer and Michu is reportedly on Arsene Wenger’s wanted list. Wenger is no stranger to a bargain and could see one in Michu. The striker is an excellent poacher of a goal which is something that Arsenal have been missing in recent seasons, especially last season after the prolific Robin Van Persie left. Michu could covert all the crosses that Arsenal seem to create but Swansea will be very reluctant to let the striker leave after only one season at the club. It may come down to how much the Spaniard wants to leave the Liberty Stadium and how much he wants to play in the Champions League.
6- Ashley Williams- Swansea City
Michu’s team mate Ashley Williams is also a target for Arsene Wenger. The manager wants to re-enforce the Gunners defence this summer and believes Williams could be an excellent signing following his excellent performances for Swansea. Williams is definitely a leader and that is something that Arsenal sides have been missing lately. He is also a strong, physical presence at centre-back, in the mould of former Arsenal captain Tony Adams. Williams excellent performances have also been seen by other clubs, including Liverpool, Everton and Napoli. Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers wants to be re-united with Williams having coached him during his time as Swansea manager while Roberto Martinez also coached Williams when he was Swansea boss. Napoli manager Rafa Benitez was also impressed with Williams, having seen him during his spell as Chelsea boss last season and could try to bring the Welshman with him to Italy. The main problem for Arsenal though is that Swansea are reluctant to let their captain go and are demanding at least £10 million for the defender, which Arsenal are refusing to pay at the moment.
5- Stevan Jovetic- Fiorentina
Jovetic is one of the most wanted front men in Europe at the moment and Arsenal are one of the many clubs rumoured to be interested in the striker. Jovetic has been an impressive player for Fiorentina and helped the club to qualify for the Champions League. It now seems that Jovetic wants to move on having had several successful years with the Italian club. Although Jovetic has said that he enjoys playing for Fiorentina, he has also stated his desire to compete against the best and win the biggest trophies, a desire he cannot fulfil in Florence. Arsenal are rumoured to be considering paying the £25 million asking price but there are many other clubs thinking about that as well. Both Chelsea and Manchester City are thought to be interested in Jovetic and both are desperate to sign a quality striker this summer. Juventus are also very interested in Jovetic and the player himself said that he could see himself moving to Turin. It is unknown whether the Italian club will continue to be interested now that they have signed Carlos Tevez but Arsenal may have to move quickly if they decide to go for Jovetic.
4- Nani- Manchester United
Nani has been a frustrating figure at Manchester United ever since he joined in 2007. He has obvious talent but has struggled to produce that in the biggest games. However, he has always played well against Arsenal and that has been noted by Arsene Wenger, who has always admired the Portuguese international. Nani looks like he will be leaving United this summer, with new manager David Moyes set to bring in some of his own players and will make Nani available for a transfer. This has led to plenty of speculation that the winger may end up at the Emirates. United are reportedly only demanding £8 million for the winger. making him relatively cheap and Arsene Wenger has always liked a bargain. Nani would probably be interested in a move to the Gunners as he has always enjoyed playing in England and will like the fact that Arsenal are in next seasons Champions League. The problem however, will be whether United are willing to sell Nani to one of their rivals. United won’t want to make Arsenal stronger for next season and may favour selling Nani to a foreign club.
3- Wayne Rooney- Manchester United
The England international has had a difficult season at Manchester United, often being substituted early or starting United’s biggest games on the bench, as happened in the Red Devils Champions League game against Real Madrid. Since then reports have suggested that Rooney is thinking about leaving Old Trafford and looking for a fresh start. Many clubs are monitoring the situation involving Rooney and one of them is Arsenal. Signing a striker of Rooney’s quality would send a message to the rest of the Premier League that Arsenal will be a force next season. The possible asking price for Rooney is said to be around £25 million and that is within Arsenal’s budget this summer considering their extended transfer budget. Chelsea, PSG and AS Monaco are all thought to be interested in signing Rooney should he become available but United are hoping to keep the striker at Old Trafford. New manager David Moyes is set to talk to Rooney during the clubs pre-season training and the chances of the Scot persuading Rooney to stay appear good, meaning Arsenal may have to look elsewhere for a new striker.
2- Marouane Fellaini- Everton
Fellaini is one of the most highly rated central midfielder in the Premier League and has been at the heart of Everton’s team since he joined from Standard Liege for £15 million. The Belgian can play in a wide variety of positions, from a deep defensive midfield position to a role as an attacking midfielder just playing off the striker. That is one of the reasons why Arsene Wenger is so interested in bringing Fellaini to the Emirates this summer. Reports suggest that Arsenal have already submitted a bid of £22 million for Fellaini, which has activated the Beligan’s release clause, meaning Everton have to accept the bid and Arsenal can start discussing personal terms. Wenger sees Fellaini as exactly the type of strong central midfielder that Arsenal have needed ever since Patrick Viera left the club in 2005. There is competition for the Belgian’s signature however, with both Chelsea and Manchester United thought to be thinking about approaching Everton but it seems that at the moment Arsenal are the front-runners for Fellaini and Wenger will see the signing of the Belgian as a step in the right direction for the club.
1- Gonzalo Higuain- Real Madrid
Higuain has a reputation as one of the most prolific strikers in Europe, having had six successful seasons at Real Madrid, scoring over 100 goals. It appears that the Argentine will be leaving the Bernabeu this summer though and announced his intentions during a press conference after Madrid’s last game of the La Liga season. Arsenal are thought to be leading the race to sign the prolific striker and have submitted a £22 million bid to sign the Argentine international. A deal appears to be close with Arsenal hoping that they can secure personal terms. Juventus are also thought to be interested in signing Higuain and had a £18 million bid rejected by Real Madrid. Arsenal will hope that an improved bid isn’t on it’s way so that the Argentine is free to join them. If Higuain does sign for Arsenal as is expected, the Argentine would bring goals with him to the Emirates. Arsenal have lacked a proven goal scorer ever since Robin Van Persie left for Manchester United last season and Wenger will see Higuain as the answer to that problem. At 25, Higuain has plenty of time to get even better and this signing will show the rest of the Premier League that Arsenal mean business next season.
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