With the Gunners skipper set to depart the north London club at the end of the campaign, we look at five possible players to take over from the Belgium international at the Gunners this summer …
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Javi Martinez (Bayern Munich)
Rumours have begun to circulate in recent weeks claiming that the coveted Spain international is unhappy with life now at the Bavarian giants following the arrival of former FC Barcelona head coach Pep Guardiola at the Allianz Arena last summer.
And if those stories are indeed correct, then the north Londoners should act fast to try to see if there is indeed any possibility of luring the rock-solid 25-year-old to the Emirates for next season to shore up the centre of their defence, whatever the cost.
Fabian Schar (FC Basel)
The Gunners have been keeping close tabs on the highly rated central defender for most of this campaign now, with a view to signing the Switzerland international at the end of the season.
And now with it expected that the Arsenal skipper will be on his way out of the club this summer, the Premier League giants may well decide to firm up their interest in the 22-year-old this summer after all.
Matthias Ginter (Freiburg)
Another young centre back who Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has been sending his scouts over to the Bundesliga of late to run their eye over, although the Gunners will need to act if they do intend to sign the Germany international when the summer transfer window reopens for business.
And that is because Borussia Dortmund are known to also be keen on landing the 20-year-old for next season, with Ginter currently contracted to Freiburg until 2017, although he does have a much-publicised release clause in that deal.
Raphael Varane (Real Madrid)
Speculation has been rife of late that the young France international is not happy at the moment with life at the Santiago Bernabeu under the new Los Blancos manager Carlo Ancelotti, with the Italian preferring to go with the more experienced duo of Sergio Ramos and Pepe as his first-choice central-defensive partnership in the Spanish capital so far this season.
So much so that the 21-year-old may even decide to quit the club this summer, and while there would inevitably be a mad scramble for the player’s signature, Arsenal do have the necessary funds available to be able to sign Varane.
Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Bilbao)
Another central-defensive starlet whose name has been heavily linked with the north London club this year, although again, the Gunners will face stiff competition for the 19-year-old’s signature from La Liga champions FC Barcelona though this summer after what has been an eye-catching campaign at the back for the Basques.
However, with the France Under-21 international contracted to the San Mames until June 2017, Arsenal will also know that the centre back will not be cheap to buy either.
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