Arsenal Transfer News: Big-Money Deals Targeted in Latest Gunners Rumours
Just what is it about Arsenal fans and pre-season optimism? Every single summer, it seems supporters are gearing up for what could be their year in the Premier League.
This time around, though, they have worthy cause for optimism. Trophies are now coming along like buses, while the squad is getting stronger and stronger.
The arrival of Petr Cech from Chelsea means that one of the Gunners’ gaping holes has now been plugged, but there’s still plenty of work for Arsene Wenger to do if he wants his side to reap domestic and European success.
Here are the latest players on the French manager’s wish list.
Arda Turan
The future of Atletico Madrid midfielder Arda Turan is very much up in the air, but one thing’s for certain: He will be leaving the Vicente Calderon Stadium this summer.
Well, it certainly seems that way anyway, as the player himself revealed via Twitter last month that his agent is very busy with potential suitors:
Arsenal are reportedly among those chasing the Turkish star’s signature, and they may just hold an advantage over the competition.
According to the Times (via the Daily Telegraph) Atletico Madrid are weighing up a bid for Gunners playmaker Santi Cazorla, who’s believed to want to return to his homeland.
The Spaniard has been linked with a move to Atletico for the past three summers, but now that the club have Turan as bait, they may just get the move over the line.
It all depends on what exactly Cazorla wants, but if his desire is to go home, then all Wenger needs to do is ensure the blow is softened.
Turan would undoubtedly do that, as he’s proved on countless occasions during his time in Spain that he can be a handful for defenders.
That much reportedly attracted the interest of Barcelona, with media outlets stating that the 28-year-old was in talks with a move to the Camp Nou.
However, Turan took to Twitter to quash the rumours, saying: “reports about my move are not correct. I am on holidays and resting” (translation via Daily Telegraph):
So, it seems that Arsenal have got the green light to get the ball rolling on the transfer, but they’ll face some stiff competition for the midfielder’s signature.
Chelsea are reportedly looking to continue their assault on the Vicente Calderon and land Turan, with striker Diego Costa calling for the club to force the move through—via Izzy Horsefield of the Daily Express:
“It would be fantastic. Arda makes everything so much easier out on the pitch. Arda, Filipe (Luis) and I function perfectly. And Arda is such a great person.”
Atletico Madrid produce some exceptional players, but they always manage to replace them when the big guns come calling.
In the case of Turan, they’ll look to Cazorla as a like-for-like replacement and one that they may not have to do too much work to bring in.
It’s much the same for Arsenal: Persuading Cazorla to stay in England will be their first priority, but if they can’t, a worthy successor is needed.
Cazorla’s are enormous boots to fill, but Turan may just size up.
Juventus star Arturo Vidal was also believed to be coming in to take the attacking midfield reins from Cazorla, per Fichajes.net (h/t Metro). However, Bleacher Report’s Andy Brassell and Ryan Bailey sat down to reveal that it may not be the case:
Baba Rahman
Arsenal are in the hunt for Augsburg left-back Baba Rahman, who enhanced his reputation with a strong campaign in last season’s Bundesliga.
The Telegraph’s report states that the Gunners have been told they will need to part with £14 million to bring Rahman to the Emirates and fight off competition from Chelsea and Manchester City in the process.
However, even the Premier League’s top two may not have what it takes to land the talented 21-year-old, as Augsburg sporting director Stefan Reuter told Kicker that his player is happy with life in Germany—via the Telegraph:
“There is nothing concrete on our table with regard to Abdul Rahman Baba. We are very happy to have him at our club, we are delighted he is playing for our club. We have been happy to hear him saying he feels great being with us.”
Wenger was reportedly impressed by Rahman last season, but left-back isn’t exactly a position that needs filling in north London.
Kieran Gibbs is a reliable player on the flank, while Nacho Monreal proved his worth with a string of outstanding performances last term.
Unless one of those players moves on to pastures new, Wenger is better off keeping his money in his pocket and focusing on improving areas elsewhere.
Arsenal are perilously close to being a world-class outfit once again, with only a few positions now needing to be tampered with.
Expect a top-drawer holding midfielder to walk through the Emirates doors in the coming months, as Gunners fans gear up for what could, indeed, be their year.
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