Emirates Stadium side set to step-up summer transfer plans.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is planning on stepping up his summer recruiting process by adding four key players to his squad in the coming weeks.
Wenger has been given a substantial war chest this summer that he intends to utilise fully, even though they have yet to make any significant moves as of yet, but the quest will begin with Liverpool striker Luis Suarez.
CaughtOffside understands that the Gunners have finally been given permission to talk to the Uruguayan international and Wenger will seek to sit down with the player’s representatives now that Liverpool have returned from their pre season tour of Australia and south east Asia.
Suarez had been publicly flirting with Real Madrid until he learned of Arsenal’s interest and the Spanish side’s pursuit of Spurs winger Gareth Bale has meant that a move for Suarez has had to take a backseat for the time being.
Wenger sees Suarez as the ideal man to replace Robin Van Persie, who left for Manchester United last summer. So far Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud have failed to live up to the expectations placed on them and Wenger still needs a star name up front if he is to hope to challenge the sides at the top of the tree next term.
Wenger will also step up his pursuit of Swansea City captain Ashley Williams amidst fears that Thomas Vermaelen may spend an extended period out on the sidelines.
The Belgian international has been ruled out of the club’s pre-season tour of Asia because of the injury, and it seems likely he will miss the start of the new Premier League season.
The 28-year-old is believed to be a long time target of Arsene Wenger’s but interest had stalled when they were quoted £8 million if they wanted to land his services.
Arsenal have suddenly found themselves shorthanded at the back recently after allowing Johan Djourou to join Hamburg on loan and releasing Sebastien Squillaci. That means that Wenger has just Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker as his only recognised centre backs.
Wenger is known to be keen on adding another one defender at least as he had been hoping to start the season with four central defenders,but he now may be forced to add another.
Wales national team captain Williams has established himself as one of the most sought after defenders in the country after two solid seasons in the top flight with Swansea.
The Swans are bracing themselves for incoming bids for Williams, with the Welsh skipper expected to jump at the chance of a switch to the Emirates Stadium and the chance to play in the UEFA Champions League.
Wenger has also had Scouts from the North London club tracking the 19-year-old this season having caught the eye with a series of mature and assured displays and Arsene Wenger is believed to be ready to make the German side an offer this summer.
The 6’2 star made his debut for Freiburg last season and became the youngest player in his club’s history to score when he netted against strugglers Augsburg. He has made just 36 appearances for the first team since breaking through but he is so highly regarded that Wenger has reportedly told the club to name their price.
With Ginter’s contract running until 2015 the Bundesliga side are in no rush to do business, but reports have suggested that they may consider selling for a fee of around £6 million.
Arsenal are in great need of a defensive midfielder, a position that has been a problem for them all season and Ginter, originally a centre back, has slotted into the role with a natural ease. A move to Arsenal may seem out of the blue but with the likes of Per Mertesacker, Lukas Podolski, Thomas Eisfield and Serge Gnabry all at the club, they will be able to help Ginter with the transition should a deal go ahead.
The fourth and final player that Wenger has in his sights is Feyenoord full back, Daryl Janmaat.
The 24-year-old has been identified as a replacement for Bacary Sagna, who’s future at the Emirates stadium is still unsure, as links with a return to PSG refuse to go away, and with just one year remaining on his current deal Wenger has sought to find a player capable of offering them something more on a longer term deal.
The Dutchman has impressed with the Eredivise outfit this season and those performances have attracted interest from all across Europe, most notably from Italy, where Inter Milan are said to have made an offer.
However, CaughtOffside understands that the player has told club bosses that he would prefer a move to Arsenal as they would be able to offer him Champions League football, which would be vital for him in the run up to next year’s World Cup.
The eight-cap Holland international has been with the Rotterdam club since last summer when he joined from Heerenveen for the cut price of just £1.8 million. He has featured 39 times for Feyenoord this season, scoring three goals, as well as providing five goals for his teammates from his wide position.