Arsenal Transfer Saga: 12 Best Players Wenger Can Sign with Nasri/Fabregas Sale

The inevitable finally occurred. After years of speculation, turmoil and distractions, Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has finally completed a move back to boyhood club and current European kings Barcelona.

It is set to worsen for Arsene Wenger as contract rebel Samir Nasri is inches away from a £23 million move to Manchester City.

Fabregas arrived at the Gunners' in 2003 as a 16-year-old from Barcelona and has been forever chased since after thriving in North London and becoming one of World Football's best midfielders as a teenager.

The 24-year-old was made the Arsenal captain in 2008 but was always destined to return to the Camp Nou.

Arsenal's inability to satisfy the Spaniard's immense desire to secure trophies has played a large role in Fabregas's return however the maestro will depart the Emirates with 303 appearances, 57 goals and 100 assists alongside the reputation as one of Arsenal's greatest ever midfielders.

Nasri on the other hand is an immensely talented player whose Gunner career has become tainted. After a sublime breakthrough season in 2010/2011 in which the Frenchman amassed 46 appearances and 15 goals alongside a place in the PFA Team of the Year.

However the £15 million signing from Olympique de Marseille in 2008, became unhappy with Arsenal ability to secure silverware and his current wage reckoning.

The 24-year-old, who enters his final year on his Arsenal contract, expressed a desire to depart the Emirates during the Summer and was largely chased by Manchester City and Manchester United.

Wenger is set to allow the dynamo to join Manchester City in the coming days.

This ensures Arsenal midfield and attack has suddenly become creatively deprived, starved of speed and lacking sincere direction. However Wenger will gain upward £60 million in revenue from the sales and with over two weeks remaining in the summer transfer window, the Frenchman must buy.

After a lifeless display in the opening day of the English Premier League season, with a goalless stalemate against Newcastle United, Wenger's main objective is to rejuvenate the midfield. There are also demands for the Arsenal manager to implement one more defensive signing due to the frailties evoked last season.

But just who does Wenger target?

Bleacher Report aids Arsenal fans with their curiosity by establishing the 12 best players Wenger can target with his new found cash.

12. Jadson, Shakhtar Donetsk

The Brazilian has emerged as one of the best replacements for Cesc Fabregas with Wenger publicly stating his desire to acquire the 27-year-old.

Jadson has become a consistent attacking force in the Ukrainian league with champions Shakhtar Donetsk and impressed with the two sides encountered one another twice in the UEFA Champions League group stage last season.

A smart, tenacious and creative play maker, many have touted the Brazil international to thrive at Arsenal due to his quick, attacking prowess style of play which engulfs Arsenal. Jason is also a natural and clinical goalscorer amassing sixty goals for Shakhtar in seven seasons.

Wenger is rumoured to be preparing a £12 million deal for the Brazilian which is a positive transfer for the Frenchman.

11. Christopher Samba, Blackburn

One of the main contenders for the much anticipated marquee defensive signing Wenger promised to enforce. The Blackburn captain, who has emerged in recent seasons as one of the strongest and consistent defenders in the English Premier League, has expressed a huge desire to join the Gunners' however a proper deal is yet to materialize.

Arsenal require an added defence presence and Samba's immense imposing figure is greatly appealing. At 6'4", the DR Congo international is a dominating force aerially which is a trait the Arsenal back line has significantly lacked in recent seasons.

Furthermore, the 27-year-old is a natural leader and possess over 140 Premier League appearances for Rovers'.

Blackburn manager Steve Kean is eager to sustain his defensive giant but it willing to sell Samba for £14 million to £17 million. A figure Wenger was tentative to commit to, however, with the added influx of funds, the deal could become imminent.

10. Wesley Sneijder, Inter Milan

It may seem like an audacious option, but with sufficient funds and Wesley Sneijder's uncertain future at the San Siro, one cannot rule out a possible shock transfer.

The Dutchman's future has also dominated the summer after Manchester United made it evident the English champions desired the 27-year-old. Inevitably Manchester City joined in.

However, Sir Alex Ferguson has officially ruled out the potential move for Sneijder and Inter Milan are content their attacking nucleus will remain in Italy.

However, there are reports that the Netherland's international possess lingering unhappiness at Inter and does also boast desires to pursue a career in the Premier League.

Sneijder's acquisition at Arsenal would immediately mitigate both Nasri and Fabregas's departures. The former Ajax ace is one of World Football's best attacking midfielders with devastating speed, balance, composure, skill and intelligence.

Furthermore, Sneijder holds a strong relationship with countryman and Arsenal captain Robin van Persie.

However, it is likely Wesley Sneijder would command almost £40 million to sign however that is well within Wenger's price range, as of now.

9. Gary Cahill, Bolton

The Englishman, who is considered one of the most consistent and composed defenders in England, has long been atop Arsene Wenger's transfer list however a deal has failed to materialize despite the Frenchman's efforts.

Fortunately, thanks to Fabregas and Nasri departing, rumour has emerged Wenger will agree to Owen Coyle's asking price of his defensive leader.

The Bolton managed demands around £17 million for the England international which Wenger had been sceptical about pursuing. Cahill is a well rounded, tough and tenacious centre half who is blessed with impressive skills and natural leadership.

Many have highlighted the 25-year-old as the man who can eradicate the lingering defensive woes of the Gunners' and his added presence may just provide Arsenal with the necessary fundamentals to sufficiently challenge for silverware in 2011/2012.

8. Marek Hamsik, Napoli

The Slovakian captain is considered one of the best play makers in the Italian Serie A since thriving for Napoli as a teenager.

Strong, balanced, quick and creative, the 24-year-old is an impressive midfielder who has the ability to emulate Cesc Fabregas.

The Slovakian has been widely chased this Summer with the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, Inter Milan and AC Milan all eager to secure the maestro's services.

Valued at around £30 million, Hamsik would be a strong signing for the Gunners', but it may be tough convincing Napoli to allow their leader to depart.

7. Yoann Gourcuff, Olympique Lyon

The Frenchman has long been touted as one of the best replacements for Samir Nasri or Cesc Fabregas. Gourcuff is French, quick, smart and possess one of the most creative and lethal attacking displays in Europe.

Wenger is a keen admirer of the 25-year-old who has thrived in the French Ligue 1 for some time now. Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh has publicly stated that Gourcuff is the best player to mitigate the void left by Cesc Fabregas and few would disagree.

Furthermore the former AC Milan maestro emerges as one of the cheaper options, acquirable for under £25 million.

6. Per Mertesacker, Werder Bremen

The 26-year-old is quite possibly the best defensive option for Arsene Wenger. Per Mertesacker is considered the best defender in the German Bundesliga and one of the most clean and efficient in Europe.

An imposing, composed presence, the Germany international has been linked with a move to the Emirates.

Boasting over 280 appearances for Werder Bremen and has established himself as a renowned and natural leader. At 6'6", Mertesacker has the overwhelming ability to eradicate the aerial frailty that haunts Arsenal.

Furthermore, the German is impressively quick on the ground and would have no problems handling the pace and physicality of the English game.

Mertesacker would command around £15 million, but it is likely the German giants would emerge as a transfer well worth the fee.

5. Karim Benzema, Real Madrid

Karim Benzema's signing would be an emphatic message to the Arsenal fans and the rest of Europe. The Frenchman has long been linked with a move to the Emirates and at one point this summer looked likely to join the Gunners'.

The Real Madrid forward is a consistent, clinical and strong presence up front who managed a superb 26 goals in 48 appearances last season and evokes all the traits to thrive at Arsenal.

Madrid manager Jose Mourinho is unlikely to accept a fee below £25 million, but Wenger requires a damaging, efficient presence in his forward line, and that is exactly what Benzema can instill.

4. Juan Mata, Valencia

The signing that appeared so close which had Arsenal fans begging for the confirmation. Juan Mata was set to more than mitigate Samir Nasri move when rumours emerged that a £18 million move to the Emirates was imminent.

However the 23-year-old has since risen in value with Spanish giants Valencia demanding close to £30 million for their wing sensation. It is a fair enough fee from the La Liga outfit as Mata has become one of the most devastating attackers in Spain.

With 46 goals and 43 appearances in four seasons for Valencia, Mata is lethal on the flanks. Furthermore the Spaniard is returning from a stellar U-21 European Championship in which the young gun played a sterling role as Spain lifted the trophy. The former Real Madrid youth was also registered in the Team of the Tournament.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup Winner was initially desisted from Wenger's shopping foray due to the rise in price, however, a move could well re-emerge thanks to the enhanced transfer budget at the Frenchman's disposal.

3. Luka Modric, Tottenham

It may appear as another audacious and unlikely option but with Arsenal's funds and Modric's precarious future at rivals Tottenham, a shock deal could arise.

The Croatian play maker appeared destined to depart White Hart Lane and join Chelsea. However the deal has still remained unfulfilled with Chelsea admitting the move is slipping away for the 25-year-old.

However Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has called for the Croatian to be sold for the asking price of £35 million. Considered one of the best midfielders in the Premier League thanks to an array of skill, passing, intelligence and speed, Arsenal could rectify any lingering attacking uncertainties with Modric's acquisition.

It is not uncommon for Arsenal and Tottenham to exchange transfers, and if Arsenal offer the sufficient amount, the deal could just emerge.

2. Carlos Tevez, Manchester City

The Premier League's best striker and possibly World Football's, has made it no secret he possess a desire to depart Manchester City due to family problems.

Tevez, who was the 2010/2011 joint top Premier League scorer with 20, has been linked with a move to Inter Milan and even a return to Brazil with giants Corinthians.

However Arsene Wenger has now stated that in order for Manchester City to secure Samir Nasri, Carlos Tevez may have to be included in the deal. This would result in Arsenal paying an extra £20 million to equal Tevez £40 million asking price.

None the less it would become a stellar deal for Arsenal as Wenger would acquire a lethal striker who could thrive with Arsenal's efficient attack. The deal would enable Robin van Persie to play in a more creative role as Jack Wilshere and Alexandre Song form a midfield duo with the likes of Theo Walcott and Gervinho on the wings.

Tevez is strong, smart, clinical, consistent and a natural leader, and if the deal materializes, Arsenal fans will immediately forget Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas.

1. Eden Hazard, OSC Lille

The most chased prospect in European football. Many have likened the Belgium magician to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo due to his explosive style of play.

The youn gun made his debut for Lille as a 16-year-old and has since won the UNFP Young Player of the Year award twice as well as being named in French League Team of the Year.

Hazard was integral last season as OSC Lille achieved their first French title and the Coupe de France with the Belgian amassing 52 appearances, 12 goals and 10 assists. Furthermore the winger is only 20.

A devastating attacker, Hazard is blessed with amazing speed and balance alongside great creativity and a ferocious shot. Boasting over 130 appearances for French giants Lille and 19 Belgium National caps, Hazard ticks every box.

OSC Lille demand £30 million for the dynamo, and it would be wise for Wenger to target that.