Arsenal Transfer News: Loic Remy a Solid Replacement for Gunners

With Olivier Giroud potentially facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines, Arsene Wenger looks set to be forced to sign a replacement before the transfer window closes, and he could do worse than bring in Loic Remy.

The 27-year-old, who scored 14 goals in 26 appearances on loan for Newcastle United last season, appears destined to be on his way out of Queens Park Rangers this summer.

Hoops boss Harry Redknapp addressed the situation when speaking with talkSPORT:

"

I think he really wants to play Champions League football next year somewhere.

We gave him time off after the World Cup but I think he’s really looking to move. I would be surprised if he was at QPR at the start of the year. If he goes to the right team, he’s capable of scoring 15 to 20 Premier League goals next season.

"

It looked as though Remy was poised to secure his goal of Champions League football earlier in the summer when Dominic King of the Daily Mail suggested he was so close to joining Liverpool that he was even assigned a shirt number.

Sky Sports notes the move fell through because of a failed medical, although that hasn’t put off other potential suitors.

According to the Express' Jamie Anderson, Arsenal have stepped up their pursuit of the Frenchman due to Giroud’s injury at the weekend.

Giroud, who has been Arsenal’s leading striker for the past two seasons, was injured in the dying seconds at Goodison Park after netting the late equaliser in a 2-2 draw.

Matt Law of the Daily Telegraph reports that the French international could now face three months out if scans reveal he has broken his ankle, leaving Arsenal with only Yaya Sanogo and Joel Campbell as out-and-out strikers.

While Campbell impressed on loan at Olympiacos last season and Wenger appears to see promise in Sanogo, neither looks ready made to fill Giroud's boots just yet.

A season spent learning from a goalscorer like Remy could do both wonders. Even with four strikers on their books, Arsenal would not be unbalanced—especially considering their depth in midfield.

Clive Rose/Getty Images

Law says a long-term injury to Giroud would force Wenger to rethink his transfer plans, and they could sign Remy for just £8 million, although his wages could be around £90,000 a week.

With Metro reporting that Samuel Eto'o is set to join Everton, it looks as though Remy and Danny Welbeck are the likeliest options left for Arsenal before the window shuts on September 1, unless they spend big and go for Radamel Falcao or Edinson Cavani.

While the Ligue 1 duo are a cut above, Remy has already proved he can be a hit in England and would provide better value than Welbeck, who has struggled to find the net regularly when given chances at Manchester United.

Even later in the season, Remy would also provide a different option to Giroud, who occasionally can look isolated up front on his own and have little influence on the game.

While Giroud is a threat in the air, as he proved with his header at Everton on Saturday, Remy will offer a more all-round threat. The QPR striker is also capable of scoring stunning individual goals, as he has demonstrated on a few occasions since moving to England from Marseille in 2013.

If Remy is intent on playing Champions League football next season, then Arsenal look to be the best fit for him, but might Wenger be put off by Liverpool’s rejection of the striker?

QPR manager Redknapp disputed the failed medical claims at the time and told reporters that the transfer must have collapsed for different reasons:

"

I don’t really see how he could have failed a medical.

He had a stringent medical here - one at Marseilles, at Newcastle and with the French team at the World Cup.

He’s never had a problem with his fitness - you couldn’t meet a fitter lad.

I’ve seen the story break but I don’t know how there can be an issue with his fitness - he’s got no problems whatsoever.

There must have been a breakdown or they’ve changed their mind or they’ve decided to move in another direction.

It’s not fair on him because it’s my opinion and the opinion of everybody else - he’s never had a problem before.

"

According to the Telegraph, Redknapp has said recently that he is "confident" of keeping hold of Remy, who has started both Premier League matches for QPR this season, unless a top-six side comes in for him.

Unfortunately for QPR fans, a move to Arsenal appears to make sense for all parties. He has proved in the past he can score goals—28 in 53 games for Marseille and 26 in 67 games for Nice—and is also flexible in position, which is crucial in Arsenal's free-flowing style.

If he desperately wants to play Champions League football, then Redknapp will surely not deny him the chance. He could prove to be a solid, perhaps even spectacular, fit for Arsenal.