Arsenal could be ready to hand their next manager £200million to spend in the transfer market this summer as Massimiliano Allegri emerges as the leading contender to replace Arsene Wenger.
If the Daily Star‘s report is to be believed, who should be on Allegri’s list to rebuild this struggling Arsenal side for next season?
MORE: Arsenal attempt to lure trophy-laden manager with promise of £200million transfer budget
It’ll be no easy job taking the Gunners back to the top, so here’s our six-man list of recommended targets who could usher in the start of a bright new era under Allegri or indeed anyone else who ends up stepping in for Wenger…
Jorginho – £50m
The Daily Mirror have previously linked the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United with the Napoli midfielder, but Jorginho looks ideal to solve what has been a problem position for Arsenal.
The Sun have suggested Arsenal could be one of many names interested in the impressive Italy international, who would clearly be a real coup for the Gunners given the level of interest in him.
With Granit Xhaka and Mohamed Elneny not at all convincing as options in that defensive midfield area, a more commanding player like Jorginho looks essential to Allegri or any other future Arsenal manager looking to make the team competitive in the race for major honours once again.
Malcom – £50m
First linked with Arsenal by the Guardian back in January, the Sun have since linked other big names with £50m-rated Bordeaux attacking midfielder Malcom.
Given the anonymous performance of Mesut Ozil against Atletico Madrid on Thursday, any watching managers will be alarmed at the Germany international as such a key creative option for the club.
Malcom can fill a variety of roles in that attacking midfield three and looks a young talent destined for the very top, so Arsenal must ensure they can see off competition for the Brazilian’s signature.
Max Meyer – FREE
Max Meyer is heading towards the end of his Schalke contract and football.london have linked him as a target for Arsenal head of recruitment Sven Mislintat as an ideal replacement for injury-prone and ageing star Santi Cazorla.
The 22-year-old has shone in the Bundesliga, looking one of Europe’s top young players, and to snap him up on a free to solve a crucial issue in midfield would be great business.
With Cazorla and Jack Wilshere heading towards the ends of their contracts, two signings in midfield is surely the bare minimum Arsenal need this summer.
Samuel Umtiti – £53m
Sport report that Samuel Umtiti has a £53million release clause at Barcelona and that’s the kind of fee Arsenal can surely afford to pay to land one of the best centre-backs in Europe.
Umtiti has shone for Barca and would be a major upgrade on any of Arsenal’s current defensive options, though persuading him to swap the Nou Camp for the Emirates Stadium would no doubt be a challenge.
Still, if the club show the right ambition and bring in a big-name manager like Allegri it could be enough to convince players of this calibre to take a gamble on the Gunners.
Sokratis Papastathopoulos – £17m
Another fine potential defensive signing would be Borussia Dortmund’s Sokratis Papastathopoulos, whom Bild have recently linked with Arsenal.
With Per Mertesacker due to retire, Laurent Koscielny not getting any younger and Shkodran Mustafi struggling, a new-look CB partnership of Umtiti and Sokratis could really get the Gunners back to the top next season.
Bild state he’d come on the cheap as well, so there’s no excuse for Arsenal if they really do have £200m to spend.
Bernd Leno – £25m
Recently linked as a £25m target for Arsenal by the Sun, Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno would be an important addition to replace the in-decline Petr Cech.
The German shot-stopper has shone in the Bundesliga and while he may not be the biggest of names, he’d be a step in the right direction in a position that’s been neglected for all too long by Arsene Wenger.
That would bring Arsenal’s total spending to £195m, so a perfectly realistic summer for the club if the Daily Star’s report of their £200m budget proves accurate – and potentially exciting times ahead for long-suffering Gooners!