Gunners boss to monitor displays of three World Cup stars.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has outlined three possible transfer targets that he could move for if they impress him at this summer’s World Cup, CaughtOffside understands.
After finally ending the Gunners’ long wait for silverware with a 3-2 win over Hull City in this season’s FA Cup final, Wenger is hoping to make major additions to his squad this summer in a bid to turn his side into genuine title challengers again.
There are several key areas of Wenger’s squad that could do with strengthening, and it is thought that Toulouse and Ivory Coast defender Serge Aurier is close to completing a move to the Emirates Stadium to replace the hole left by the departing Bacary Sagna, leaving the Arsenal manager to focus largely on improving his attacking options.
The likes of Alexis Sanchez and Pedro Rodriguez of Barcelona, as well as Fiorentina winger Juan Cuadrado have already been linked with Arsenal and could remain priority targets for Wenger, but the Frenchman is also ready to see if three other players who will be on show in Brazil this summer can impress him in the next few weeks.
3) Bernard (Shakhtar Donetsk and Brazil)
A talented young winger who reportedly came close to joining Arsenal last summer, Bernard has been given the nod ahead of some big names such as Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho and Paris Saint-Germain star Lucas Moura to go to the World Cup with the Brazilian national team this summer.
The 21-year-old may not be first choice for Phil Scolari as the host nation chase their sixth World Cup trophy, but it is thought that Arsene Wenger will hope for an opportunity to get a closer look at the Shakhtar Donetsk starlet to see how he handles playing on the biggest stage possible. Bernard has impressed for his club this season, and at previous side Atletico Mineiro, but he will be hoping to really put himself in the shop window with some strong performances for his country in the next few weeks.
With the injury-prone Theo Walcott currently Arsenal’s only true winger in their squad, Bernard could certainly be a useful addition, and would likely be cheaper than other big-name targets such as Alexis Sanchez and Pedro.
2) Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Schalke and Netherlands)
With only Olivier Giroud to pick from upfront for so much of this season, a new striker is an absolute must for Arsenal this summer if they are to sustain a stronger title challenge next year. Queens Park Rangers goal-getter Loic Remy is currently thought to be Wenger’s main target in that position, but he also looks set to renew his interest in a former target of his in Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who will be hoping to challenge Robin van Persie for a place upfront for Holland this summer.
The 30-year-old has been in prolific form for his club side Schalke this term, despite missing much of the season through injury, netting 14 goals in just 21 games to show that he remains one of the most lethal predatory finishers in the game – something Arsenal certainly lack at present.
The Gunners were known to be chasing Huntelaar for much of last year, but Wenger would like another look at the player now after his recent injury problems to assess if he is still a realistic target to come in and cope with the demands of the Premier League.
1) Mario Goetze (Bayern Munich and Germany)
A young player who could really put himself into the world class bracket this summer if he performs at a major tournament for Germany, Bayern Munich playmaker Mario Goetze may be a surprise target for Arsenal again in this transfer window after he endured a frustrating first season at the Allianz Arena.
The 22-year-old is widely regarded as one of the best young talents in the world, and has been on Wenger’s radar since his Borussia Dortmund days, though Bayern won the race for his signature last summer ahead of other big names such as Barcelona. Still, it has been suggested that the player would be open to leaving after just one year with the Bundesliga champions after failing to nail down a regular place in the side, and being played in a number of different roles by manager Pep Guardiola.
Arsenal are already blessed with some impressive attacking midfield players, including Goetze’s fellow international team-mates Mesut Ozil and Lukas Podolski, but it has emerged that Wenger would be keen to try for the youngster again if he does become available, and will be keeping a close eye on his progress in Brazil in the coming weeks to see if he can regain his best form.
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