A look at five other possible targets for the Gunners.Although Arsenal fans will be excited to be their club closing in on another world class talent after also spending big to sign Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid last summer, it is worth noting that there are arguably better players or at least better bargains on the market in that position at the moment.
With reports suggesting that Sanchez could arrive at the Emirates Stadium for a fee of around £34m, it does seem like quite a lot – though perhaps not so much in the modern game – to be paying for a player on the back of one good season and World Cup. Although the Chilean attacker has great statistics from this season, his previous campaigns at the Nou Camp have been seen as slightly disappointing given the promise he showed at previous club Udinese.
Perhaps better suited to the slower pace of the game in Serie A, Juventus are also interested in Sanchez and may still hijack Arsenal’s deal to lure him to the Emirates Stadium, in which case here are five other similar players who could be good targets for the north Londoners this summer.
5) Xherdan Shaqiri (Bayern Munich)
One of the most talented young players in Europe on his day, Arsenal could do well to rival Liverpool for the signing of Swiss winger Xherdan Shaqiri, who is keen to leave Bayern Munich this summer. The 22-year-old has struggled to gain a regular starting spot since moving to the Allianz Arena from FC Basel, with a host of world class options currently ahead of him in the pecking order at the club. Still, Shaqiri could benefit greatly from a move to another club, and his skillful and intelligent style of play would surely see him fit in well into Arsene Wenger’s lineup and tactics. Although Arsenal already have plenty of similar players, Shaqiri’s technique from set pieces and long range shots gives him something a bit different to offer, as well as being a more long-term option than Sanchez.
4) Antoine Griezmann (Real Sociedad)
Undoubtedly one of the best attacking midfielders in Europe in 2013/14, Antoine Griezmann really shone in La Liga for Real Sociedad. The 23-year-old Frenchman looks potentially like the next Cristiano Ronaldo with his tremendous ability to score goals from the flanks. Griezmann finished this season with 20 strikes to his name in all competitions, and looks a great all-round attacker, who would surely only improve further and score on a more regular basis if he had the opportunity to link up with the quality of players on the books at Arsenal. The Sociedad star made some impact at this summer’s World Cup as well, before his country were knocked out at the quarter-final stages. More of a goalscorer than Sanchez, it could be argued that Griezmann is more what the Gunners need at the moment.
3) Juan Cuadrado (Fiorentina)
One of the most sought-after attacking midfielders on the market at the moment, Fiorentina and Colombia star Juan Cuadrado has been linked with Arsenal and a host of other top clubs in recent months after his starring displays in Serie A and at the World Cup finals in Brazil. A pacey and direct player with bags of tricks, Cuadrado would add real flair and direction to this Arsenal side, providing a genuine alternative to Theo Walcott and even offering an attack-minded possibility at right-back for the Gunners after the departure of Bacary Sagna, which could see Arsene Wenger kill two birds with one stone. Barcelona and Juventus are also among his main suitors, however, and could provide firm competition for his signature in this transfer window. Still, recent reports suggest he would likely be cheaper than Sanchez at around £22m.
2) Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund)
A real loss for Germany and neutral fans in general at the World Cup this summer due to injury, Marco Reus has established himself as one of the best attacking players in the world in recent seasons with his starring displays for Borussia Dortmund. The 25-year-old finished the 2013/14 season with a superb record of 23 goals and 15 assists in all competitions, and can play in almost any role in an attacking midfield three or upfront. A more consistent and efficient player than Sanchez, Arsenal should revive their interest in one of their former transfer targets, who could be available for a better price to the Chilean winger due to a rumoured buy-out clause in his contract of around £30m. Manchester United have also been linked with him in the past, and it would be an added boost for Arsene Wenger to pip his rivals to such a top class signing.
1) Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli)
Although Sanchez can play as a striker and would likely be brought to Arsenal to do so given their vast array of options already on the wings, the Gunners might be better off going for a more genuine centre-forward this summer, and try again for the ambitious signing of Gonzalo Higuain. The Napoli man has recently been linked with Barcelona and could be set to make a quick exit from Serie A after just one season in the Italian top flight. The prolific Argentine has a great record in Naples and at former club Real Madrid, and was a real loss for Arsenal last summer as they missed out on bringing him to the Emirates Stadium. A proven finisher and experienced winner, Higuain would be a major improvement on Olivier Giroud upfront and just the kind of signing needed to help deliver the title in 2014/15.