Arsenal: 10 Transfer Targets for Arsene Wenger This Summer

This summer, Arsene Wenger will have no excuse to be frugal.

With a new commercial deal with Emirates agreed, a highly lucrative kit deal with Puma on the way and up to £350,000 cleared from the weekly wage bill if high earners like Andrey Arshavin, Gervinho and Nicklas Bendtner leave. The Mirror believes Arsenal will be able to spend up to £70 million on new faces.

Here are ten players who could make their way into Arsenal colours next season.

Yaya Sanogo

It's been reported that Arsene Wenger has millions at his disposal, so naturally the most heavily linked player is currently a little-known U-21 French international.

With nine goals in 12 Ligue 2 matches this season, the Auxerre striker is exactly the kind of prospect the French coach would be interested in moulding at the Emirates.

The Express says this is by no means a done deal, but if it does go through, hopefully it is not the last transfer activity we see from Arsenal this summer.

Transfermarkt.com market value: €0.5 million

Wayne Rooney

The list of teams that are willing and able to afford a player like Wayne Rooney is reasonably small, but according to The Guardian, Arsenal might just be on the list.

They quote a report in The Mail that suggests the England striker's name was brought up at an Arsenal planning meeting.

However, it seems unlikely that Wenger would spend such a large chunk of his transfer kitty on a single player nor devote £250,000 of his weekly wage bill to someone who has struggled to replicate the form of his prime this season.

Transfermarkt.com market value: €65 million

Mats Hummels

With Per Mertesacker and Thomas Vermaelen potentially leaving the Emirates, Wenger could do a lot worse than fortifying the back four with Mats Hummels. The Express claims he is trying to do exactly this. 

According to Sabotagetimes.com, the Borussia Dortmund centre-back has amassed some incredible stats this season, such as a Bundesliga match where he won 100 percent of headed duels and clearances and had an 88 percent pass completion rate.

Transfermarkt.com market value: €24 million

Gonzalo Higuain

A world-class striker is thought to be the top priority on Arsenal's summer shopping list, and according to The Telegraph, Gonzalo Higuain has been on Wenger's radar since he was at River Plate.

The Telegraph also suggests a £19 million bid for the Argentinean striker could be on the cards. Given the uncertain managerial situation at Real Madrid—and the fact he has only played a full match in one of Los Blancos' last 10—this could be a viable way for the Gunners to smash their transfer record.

Transfermarkt.com market value: €38 million

Stevan Jovetic

Montenegrin striker Stevan Jovetic has been linked with a move for North London for some time, and according to The Metro, a £24.5 million deal is nearly complete.

The 23-year-old is also wanted by Juventus, but The Gunners' bid has been boosted by the fact that Fiorentina do not want to sell to a Serie A rival, according to The Mirror.

Transfermarkt.com market value: €30 million

Julio Cesar

According to The Mirror, Arsenal are rumored to be tracking a number of goalkeepers, including Hamburg's Rene Adler, Stoke's Asmir Begovic and Stuttgart's Sven Ulreich.

Since their relegation, however, QPR have been keen to get Julio Cesar and his £70,000 weekly wages off their books, and sources such as the aforementioned Mirror believe The Emirates is his most likely destination.

Fortunately for thrifty Arsene, the Hoops are likely to let him go for a low transfer fee in order to bring their wage bill down quickly.

Transfermarkt.com market value: €4 million

Kevin Strootman

Just as Robin van Persie replaced Dennis Bergkamp, perhaps another Dutchman may be on his way to fill the void left by the man Arsenal sold to Manchester Utd?

PSV's Kevin Strootman has managed six goals and 10 assists in the Eredivisie this season and has admitted he is "open to offers," per Sky Sports.

Manchester Utd and Arsenal are said to be leading the chase for the talented Holland international, whom The Express believes would cost around £17 million.

Transfermarkt.com market value: €12 million

Maxime Gonalons

Lyon captain Max Gonalons might be the solution to Arsene Wenger's search for a holding midfielder.

According to The Mirror, Arsenal have sent scouts to watch the 24-year-old on several occasions this season and may be interested in meeting his £15 million asking price.

The folks at ESPN FC, however, believe The Gunners may face stiff competition for Gonalons from newly-promoted Monaco.

Transfermarkt.com market value: €10 million

Lukasz Piszczek

Bacary Sagna has just one year left on his contract, which Arsenal may be reticent to extend on account of his age and injury issues.

The Daily Mail is among those who report The Gunners' interest in Lukasz Piszczek as a possible replacement. According to The Telegraph, the 27-year-old Borussia Dortmund star might cost around £12 million.

Transfermarkt.com market value: €11 million

Étienne Capoue

Another midfield option that Wenger is thought to be considering is Toulouse's Étienne Capoue.

According to The Express, Arsenal, QPR and Tottenham all had bids turned down for the French international as his club were unwilling to part with him. Capoue's services could be secured for around £10 million.

There are many solutions to Arsenal's midfield issues, but B/R's Sam Tighe believes Capoue is the best one.

Transfermarkt.com market value: €10.5 million