3. Geoffrey Kondogbia (Monaco)
The chance for Arsenal to sign Geoffrey Kondogbia is now surely gone, as the young midfielder completed a £17m switch from Sevilla to big-spending Ligue 1 giants Monaco. Claudio Ranieri has landed himself a real gem in Kondogbia, as he looks set to become one of the best defensive midfielders in the world in a few years’ time.
Arsenal were linked with him as well as with a few other similar players, but opted instead to look to free agent Mathieu Flamini to return in a second spell at the club as their solution in that position. Flamini, who was released by AC Milan at the end of last season, had one good season for the Gunners in his first spell with the club, and is a risky signing given his fitness problems during his time at the San Siro.
Kondogbia, while more expensive, looks like the real deal in midfield and would have been a more long-term solution for Arsene Wenger as well. Still only 20, he has maturity beyond his years and was a dominant player for Sevilla in his single season with the club, having previously broken through at French side Lens.