Wenger is chasing superb Italian and Croatian strikers…
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Arsenal’s title challenge faded and died last season, with fans lamenting Arsene Wenger’s lack of striking options mainly. With Bacary Sagna leaving, they also need a new right-back this summer, and the veteran French boss has been handed a reported £100m transfer budget in order to amend the squad ahead of 2014/15.
However, these seven stars could be available for just £75.5m…
1) Pepe Reina – Liverpool
Arsenal could make a bargain £5m bid as Napoli have decided against making his loan move from Liverpool permanent. Wojciech Szczesny is the Gunners current no.1, but the experienced Spaniard would provide with excellent competition with Lukasz Fabianski joining Swansea.
Click through the pages to read the rest of the exciting signings and sales!
2) Serge Aurier – Toulouse
Liverpool are also interested in Aurier’s services, but the Gunners are frontrunners for his signature, which is expected to set them back about £7m. Last term in Ligue 1, Aurier scored six goals and assisted six more – providing a consistently barnstorming presence up the right flank.
3) Bressan – Gremio
The 21-year-old has massively impressed Arsenal scouts in the Brazilian leagues, and he could arrive for a bargain fee to act as backup to Koscielny and Mertesacker. Vermaelen is likely to leave with Manchester United following him closely – and we can’t imagine Bressan would command a fee much above £5m.
4) Sven Bender – Borussia Dortmund
The Gunners are lining up a £15m bid for Bender, the twin brother of former target Lars. The Borussia Dortmund man would add combative tenacity to the Arsenal midfield. He’s more mobile than Mikel Arteta, but more technically able than Mathieu Flamini.
5) Carlos Vela – Real Sociedad
Arsenal have apparently taken up the option to sign Vela for a bargain fee of £3.5m. When they sold the Mexican to Real Sociedad, they inserted the buy-back clause 0 and the Spanish club’s president has announced the the Gunners plan to activate it. Vela reached double figures for both goals and assists last term.
6) Mario Balotelli – AC Milan
Rumours are rife in Italy that sports manufacturers Puma will broker a deal for AC Milan forward Mario Balotelli to join Arsenal this summer. The 23-year-old would cost £20m – and boost an Arsenal strike-force that is withering with the departure of Nicklas Bendtner and the inexperience of Yaya Sanogo. Balotelli would provide ample competition for Olivier Giroud.
7) Mario Mandzukic – Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich’s Croatian powerhouse Mario Mandzukic is available, for a reported £20m, and would significantly improve the Arsenal forward line if he arrived alongside Balotelli. This would give Wenger fantastic options before embarking on a Premier League title challenge next term.
