5 players Arsenal could sign this summer

Any discussion of Arsène Wenger and the players he may be signing must always be taken with a pinch of salt. For rumours of moves for the likes of Benzema and Isco all too often tend to see the transfer window return a tricky, skilful, ball playing midfielder or an 18 year old nobody has ever heard of, but who is definitely the next Thierry Henry. 

Admittedly, this pattern shifted somewhat with the marquee signing of Özil, but last summer saw nothing more dramatic than Petr Cech pitching up at the Emirates. This transfer window began with the embarrassing snub by Jamie Vardy and with the Wenger-out crowd already sharpening their knives, Arsène is going to have to pull something pretty impressive out of the bag.

The players tipped to have caught Wenger’s eye are a mixed bag of fan responses from "him, really?" to "oh, yes please!". Here are a few of the linked players rumoured to be offered guaranteed Champions League football and a title challenge in 2016/17:  

Daley Blind

The appeal of the 26 year old Dutch international isn’t hard to fathom; during his time at Manchester United he’s played as a defensive midfielder, at centre back and at left back and, while not exactly setting Old Trafford on fire in any position, he’s generally been the model of calm and composure during Van Gaal’s difficult second season. Whether the newly arrived Mourinho wants to let him go or not remains to be seen. He wouldn't be met with much fanfare but Arsenal supporter's may welcome the addition of a first-team player from another big club rather than cast-offs and a versatile one to boot.

Romelu Lukaku

According to the grapevine (i.e. sports journalists with a deadline to meet and no actual transfer news as such) there has already been informal contact between Lukaku and Arsenal. The 23 year old Belgian started off pretty poorly at the Euros but, like the rest of the Belgium team, seems to be running into form and providing telling contributions. That he wants to leave Everton — new investors and manager aside — is in no doubt, but the question is whether the notoriously spendthrift Wenger is willing to meet a purported £50 million valuation.

Islam Slimani

At one time a 28 year old Algerian may have been considered too old to fit the Arsenal template, but the failed bid for Vardy put paid to that notion. It also signalled that Arsenal are in the market for the fabled ‘twenty plus goals per season’ striker. Slimani scored 31 goals in 44 appearances for Portuguese club Sporting last season and would probably cost around the same as the £20 million offered for Vardy. Indeed, he was the player Leicester had earmarked to replace Vardy had he chosen to join The Gunners.

N'Golo Kanté

He’s French, he’s a midfielder and he blends athleticism with skill and pace. The fact that 25 year old French international Kanté isn’t already a feature of the Arsenal squad can sometimes seem to be a mere oversight that’s waiting to be corrected. Leicester will have other ideas, of course, and Vardy’s decision to snub Arsenal may well signal that the expected summer exodus from the King Power Stadium might not materialise.                

Alexandre Lacazette

Rumours are that Lacazette, having turned down a move to West Ham, is due to enjoy a ‘secret meeting’ with Arsène Wenger. The 25 year old Lyon striker ticks two of the stereotypical Arsenal boxes: being French and packed with potential. However, like virtually every other big named player on the planet, he’s been linked with a move to PSG. That, and the rumoured £45 million price tag, may well be enough to consign him to the ever growing list of Arsenal might-have-beens. 

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