With the end of the 2012/13 season fast approaching, the summer transfer window will be open and Arsenal will no doubt set out to make more improvements to their squad.
There have been rumours, talks of deals and names everyone wants to see join the Gunners’ current set-up. Here’s a look at the players who have been linked with a move to the Emirates within the last few weeks.
Mario Gotze
According to German newspaper Bild, Arsenal are putting together a bid to bring the German talent to the Emirates this summer.
The report values Gotze’s exit clause at €37m (£32m), which would represent a significant change in tact of the Gunners recent transfer policy.
Wenger is a long-term admirer of the 20-year-old attacker, who has become a key player for club and country in recent seasons.
With Arsenal set to hand the Frenchman a £70m summer budget to spend on new players, Gotze could instigate a big-money spree ahead of next season, as long as the North London club secure a Champions League spot this campaign.
Read more on Gotze here: https://tbrfootball.com/transfer-scouting-report-borussia-dortmunds-mario-gotze/
Ashley Williams
Arsenal have moved ahead of Liverpool in the race to sign Ashley Williams after holding talks with the Swansea defender’s representatives.
Wenger is desperate to strengthen at the back this summer and Sportsmail revealed last month that Williams is the Arsenal manager’s top defensive target.
According to Goal.com, William’s representatives visited London last week to discuss a move to the Emirates.
Stevan Jovetic
Exciting striker, Stevan Jovetic, comes with a lofty price tag but Wenger should look at it as an investment.
At only 23-years of age, Jovetic, has all the ability and talent to slot right into the Emirates system and while he has scored 12 goals in 26 Serie A games, that tally would almost certainly improve with the likes of Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla providing the assists.
The 23-year-old has hinted that he wouldn’t be opposed to a move to the Emirates. He told reporters before Montenegro met England in the World Cup qualifier:
“I’ve heard about Arsenal’s interest. It’s a big pleasure for me to be on the radar of such a big club. I am happy about that.
“I’ve always had an affinity with Arsenal. It’s a major club with a big tradition, one of the biggest in Europe.”
However, Arsenal will face stern competition for the player’s signature with Juventus, Inter and AC Milan as well as Manchester City reportedly interested in the Montenegrin talent.
Find out more here: https://tbrfootball.com/transfer-scouting-report-stevan-jovetic/
Cheikhou Kouyate
Anderlecht defender Cheikhou Kouyate has revealed that Arsenal have been monitoring his availability ahead of a potential summer bid.
Wenger has admitted that he would like to bring in defensive reinforcements this summer, and the Senegal international has claimed that he is on the Gunners’ radar.
“I am happy here but if Arsenal called me to go to London I would have no doubt about going,” he told a Belgian newspaper.
“I hear they have asked for some information on me from the last few months.”
Paris Saint-Germain are also reported to be keen on the £5m-rated 23-year-old.
Iker Casillas
According to Metro, the Gunners feel they can prise Casillas away from Santiago Bernabeu after his number one spot was taken by Diego Lopez.
However, it also claims Anfield officials are ready to explore the option of recruiting the Spain international this summer.
Uncertainty over the future of current Liverpool number one Pepe Reina has led to Brendan Rodgers keeping an eye out for a replacement, according to the report.
However, it says Wenger is also keen to find some experience between the sticks, having recently dropped young number one Wojciech Szczesny.
Lukasz Fabianski has come in for his fellow Pole and done well but the Gunners are still on the lookout for a more established number one to help ease the pressure on Szczesny.
Previous reports have claimed Arsenal would have to pay £17million for the 31-year-old who was in goal for Spain’s past two European Championship victories and World Cup triumph.
Asmir Begovic
Arsenal are reportedly leading the chase to sign Stoke City’s highly-rated goalkeeper Asmir Begovic – but will need to pay £15m to get him, according to the Telegraph.
It’s believed Wenger inquired about the Bosnia & Herzegovina international’s availability in January, but nothing came of it.
Now, however, it seems that there has been further contact from Arsenal for the £15m-rated shot-stopper.
Although no offer has been made, the keeper is tipped to join the Gunners in the summer as the other two interested clubs, Manchester United and Chelsea, already have world-class goalkeepers at their disposal, and Begovic is unlikely to join a club where he’ll be forced to play second fiddle.
Rene Adler
However, the Sunday People suggest Wenger will look towards Hamburg keeper Rene Adler as a cut-price alternative to Begovic.
The experienced 28-year-old German has shot to the top of the Gunners wish list, with Wenger’s spies scouring the globe for a new keeper for next season. Adler, 6ft3in, only joined Hamburg from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer and would be available for around £5 million.
Jordy Clasie
Jordy Clasie is one of the most talented players in Dutch football at the moment and there are heavy links suggesting the 21-year-old could be on his way to London in the very near future.
Both Arsenal and Spurs seem to be the main clubs likely to sign him, which leads to the questions of which club suits him and where he should go if he wants to leave at the end of the season?
Arsenal maybe just have the advantage because this seems like the sort of realistic signing that Arsene Wenger could be tempted into.
There would be a fee involved because Clasie’s contract with Feyenoord doesn’t expire until the summer of 2015, but Wenger has a proven track record when it comes to players like this.
The prominent role that both Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla have played in the Arsenal team this season also makes it very important for the club to have a high quality and natural replacement for either in the middle.
Adil Rami
Valencia defender Adil Rami appears to be set for a move to the Premier League with Arsenal and Manchester United interested in the centre-back.
Arsenal have been long-term suitors of Rami, with reports suggesting the tough-tackling Frenchman could make a £10m switch to the Emirates this summer.
And with the 27-year-old recently conceding that he “needs to play for a big club in Europe”, a transfer to England could happen sooner rather than later.
Nicolas NKoulou
Marseille defender Nicolas N’Koulou has admitted he could well leave the club this summer according to Sky Sports.
The centre-back has put in a number of impressive performances this season as his club have challenged Qatari-backed PSG for the Ligue 1 title.
But Marseille are currently suffering from severe financial pressures and will be looking to offload some of their stars this summer.
N’Koulou has been identified as a player that could bring in significant funds that allow them to keep hold of other players within the squad.
Arsenal are thought to be ready to bid for the player should he become available.