5 players Arsenal could sign before the transfer window closes. SportsRush presents the 5 players that could help Unai Emery rejuvenate his squad ahead of the 2019/2020 season.
For years Arsenal have remained mostly dormant during the transfer season. Unai Emery however, is looser with his purse strings than Arsene Wenger ever was. Emery has already bought in a few quality players to the Emirates Stadium. This, despite being rumored to be strapped for cash.
They have been very smart with their transfers this season bringing Dani Ceballos on loan from Real Madrid and Nicolas Pepe from Lille in a club-record fee of €79 million (£72 million) which will be paid in seven instalments. Pepe’s transfer eclipsed the previous record of €62 million for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Arsenal fans will be licking their lips over their prospect this season. However, they are smart enough to realize that there are still key positions left to be filled. An overhaul will be required to challenge for a top four spot consistently. Supporters will not take kindly to the Gunners playing in the Europa League year after year and Arsenal understand that.
With the summer transfer window nearing its end, it is imperative that Unai Emery and Arsenal act swiftly in bringing in more recruits. Here are 5 players Arsenal could sign before the transfer window closes.
Kieran Tierny
The Celtic Left back is Arsenal’s top target as they head into the final week of the transfer season. The 21-year old Scotsman has won everything with Celtic and will look to prove himself at a bigger stage.
Arsenal have a very fragile back four and are in desperate need to bolster their defensive line. What better to start with the left back who has been compared with the likes of Andrew Robertson at Liverpool. Arsenal have had two bids declined so far. However, reports suggest that Arsenal are confident of landing Tierny before the transfer window closes and the Scotsman is very likely to replace his Celtic Green stripes for the Red of London.
Sky reporter Kaveh Solhekol suggested last week that a deal could be hammered out soon with Arsenal just a couple of million shy of Celtic’s asking price. He wrote:
“Difference between what Arsenal are offering for Kieran Tierney and what Celtic want is “only a couple of million pounds”. Player is happy at Celtic but would like the chance to speak to Arsenal if deal can be agreed”.
Marcelo Brozovic
Marcelo Brozovic has been with Inter Milan since the January of 2015 and has become a vital cog for the Italian side ever since. His despair over the club’s inability to win trophies has grown over the years though and it seemed that he would leave Inter this summer. However, his manager has calmed nerves at the San Siro by revealing that while the player is indeed upset at the lack of trophies, his heart is with Inter and he will not leave. If Arsenal can somehow manage to activate his £45m clause, they could bring in a change in the script though.
Like Tierny before him, Brozovic has also been compared to another legend, this time from a much more direct rival than Liverpool; Chelsea’s Frank Lampard. He has received a lot of praise for passing, tackling, runs and stamina. Brozovic is usually deployed as a deep lying playmaker or a box to box midfielder. However, he is versatile enough to play anywhere in the midfield; A trait Arsenal will greatly benefit from if they can get his signatures.
Diego Llorente
Arsenal are in desperate need for reinforcements in the back. They posses a very good front three in Lacazzete, Aubameyang and Pepe. But what good will their goals do if Arsenal concede more than often than they score. With the transfer season nearing its end Arsenal will have to add to more than just Kieran Tierny. Real Sociedad’s Diego Llorente would be an excellent place to star.
Llorente is an excellent passer and is very good in the air; a trait that Arsenal will greatly appreciate. The Spanish defender can also play as a defensive midfielder providing Arsenal with versatility. His release clause of €50 million could put off the North London side though, who may not be willing to splurge on a defender. However, with Real Sociedad ready to listen to offers, Llorente is not a bad option to keep in hand.
Steven Bergwijn
Arsenal have Nicolas Pepe now. However it will be hard to forget the misery they suffered last year for being ineffective from the flanks. Should Pepe get injured or suspended, Arsenal will probably suffer the same fate as they did last campaign. Henrikh Mkhitariyan and Mesut Ozil were tried last summer to disappointing results and Unai Emery will hope to have an effective winger in the squad as a backup.
Arsenal could find their answer in Steven Bergwijn. The 21-year-old Dutchman has seen a very steady growth with PSV in Eredivisie. The Dutch side have priced him at £30m. However, with the way he is improving, the youngster could end being worth a lot more in just a few more years. Like Pepe, Bergwijn can play on both sides of the wing and is very creative on the offensive. If Arsenal pay the price now, in a few years it could prove to be a bargain.
Daniele Rugani
Daniele Rugani is a promising Italian Centre back who plays for Juventus. He is a tall, tactically versatile and is good in the air, both offensively and defensively. He is a very correct player in the sense that he prefers to avoid challenges and instead restricts his opponents through positioning. However, Rugani has struggled for game time, making only 20 appearances last season.
Arsenal are very keen to fix the leak in their backline and someone like Rugani could prove to be invaluable. They have even offered to take the centre back on a two-year loan deal with an obligation to buy. However, Juventus have turned down the offer despite bringing in Matthijs de Ligt from Ajax. Concerns over Giorgio Chiellini’s fitness have meant that Sarri is uneasy over letting Rugani leave.
Arsenal though are very keen to bring Rugani to the Emirates. So much so that they have even offered to buy Sami Khedira as part of the deal according to Gazzetta dello Sport. If Arsenal can somehow convince Juventus to part with Rugani and bring in Tierney as well, Arsenal would very well be placed to finish top 4 this season and the years beyond.
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