Transfer round-up: Arsenal plan double Serie A swoop; first Chelsea departure imminent?

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In Friday’s edition of The Boot Room transfer round-up, the Mirror Sport are linking Arsenal with a move for Italian Serie A duo Alvaro Morata and Kostas Manolas. The striker and defender, of Juventus and Roma respectively, are said to be high on the list of Arsene Wenger’s summer shopping list as he looks to spend big ahead of a title challenge next season.

Once again, squad deficiencies have seen the Gunners fall short of the Premier League title this time round. And, although the Emirates outfit possess an outside chance of securing the English top flight trophy, very few people would expect them to claw back the points difference between themselves and high-flying Leicester City.

The upcoming transfer window could see the welcome arrival of Juventus striker Morata, who has made just 14 starts this term, despite being rated very highly by the Serie A champions. His ability going forward could prove for the London club – solving their often-suggested shortcomings in the final third.

Meanwhile, the Gunners faithful will be pleased to see the re-emergence of speculation linking Manolas with a move to the Emirates Stadium – with the club having targeted him previously. The 24-year-old has been hugely impressive throughout his time at Roma, it is just a question of whether he could translate this excellent form to the Premier League.

In other news, Chelsea have been linked with yet another central midfield signing. This time the name of Roma star Miralem Pjanic is being linked to Stamford Bridge, with the Blues reportedly – as per the Evening Standard – growing in confidence that they will be able to sign the Bosnian international before the new season.

Roma fear that Pjanic, who boasts the most assists in Serie A with 10 and has also scored an impressive 12 times in all competitions, has already decided he wants to leave and will not sign an extension to his current contract, which expires in 2018 – leaving the door open for a Roman Abramovich swoop.

However, perhaps more interesting for Blues fans is the suggestion that Eden Hazard could be the first player to fall victim to Conte’s regime, upon the Italian’s arrival in London. Indeed, reports from SunSport suggest that two top agents have told Europe’s elite clubs the Belgium international is for sale.

Now, reports of this nature – especially ones made by this particular paper – must be treated with scepticism. However, events that have transpired since the beginning of the season would suggest that speculation may contain a sliver of truth.

After allegedly becoming embroiled in the Mourinho sacking saga, failing to score a single league goal all season, and all the while, experiencing a terrific decline in form, his departure certainly remains a possibility.

Having said this, one would imagine that upon his arrival Conte would in fact look to restore Hazard’s confidence, before building his new-look Chelsea side around him – thus replicating the environment that saw him thrive as the PFA Player of the Season and the Premier League’s top scoring midfielder last time out.

What do you make of Friday’s transfer round-up? Would the singing of Morata and Manolas make Arsenal a title winning side? Would Pjanic be an upgrade on Chelsea’s current midfield options? And, should Conte get rid of Hazard, or build his new-look Chelsea side around the talented youngster? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.

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