Friday, July 23, 2010

Arsenal: Who is Next to Join?

Arsenal has already signed a striker in Marouane Chamakh for free and a central defender in Laurent Koscielny for £10 million in the ongoing Summer transfer market. Now, manager Arsene Wenger is reportedly in the transfer market looking for a goalkeeper, one or even two more central defenders and most probably an attacking midfielder.

Goalkeeper

It is pretty much certain that Wenger would bring in a new goalkeeper this summer following some costly errors by his existing goalkeepers last season. At the moment, there are at least two keepers Wenger is eyeing on with Fulham’s Mark Schwarzer being favorite to join the Gunners. Arsenal has already had a £2 million bid rejected by Fulham for the 37-year-old Australian stopper. Fulham is asking £4 million, but there is a possibility the deal could be agreed on £3 million.

Gunners boss is also reportedly interested in Udinese goalkeeper Samir Handanovic who has had a very good World Cup campaign with Slovenia. Unlike Schwarzer, the 26-year-old Slovenia international could be a long time solution for Arsenal. The €10 million-rated keeper has another suitor in Juventus.

Center Back

The arrival of one more center back seems imminent now, given that Mikael Silvestre and William Gallas are all set to leave and Sol Campbell is yet to decide his future. So, there is even possibility Wenger could bring in even two more central defenders this summer. Wenger is currently linked with at least three players including Udinese defender Cristián Zapata, Everton defender Phil Jagielka and Werder Bremen’s German international Per Mertesacker.

The 23-year-old Colombian keeper Zapata is a versatile player who can play in any position in the back line. The player is also reportedly looking for a bigger club like Arsenal. Everton’s Phil Jagielka is a proven performer and Wenger is even reportedly ready to spend £18 million, but it seems less likely to happen given Wenger’s spending nature.

It is also clear that Werder Bremen’s Per Mertesacker has already attracted the attention of Wenger and the player is also in search of a new destination.

Attacking Midfielder

With Cesc Fabregas unsettled, Wenger may like to bring in a creative midfielder too. He was initially linked with Werder Bremen’s Mesut Ozil, but now it would be hard to land the Germany international as a number of big spenders like Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester City have joined in the race. However, Wenger has a very good option in Juventus attacking midfielder Sebastian Giovinco who has also been a target of Bari.

Everton’s Mikel Arteta has been one of the most consistent midfielders in Premier League over the last few years and Arsenal would face competition from Sevilla to secure the Spaniard’s service.

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