Arsenal Transfer Rumors: 6 Players the Club Should Pursue to Replace Samir Nasri

With Arsenal seemingly on the brink of signing German international Per Mertesacker and Brazilian left-back Andre Santos, while already confirming the signing of South Korea captain Chu Young Park, it seems the that only void left for Arsene Wenger to fill is the midfield one.

Having lost inspirational captain Cesc Fabregas and midfield maestro Samir Nasri to foreign pastures, the Gunner's midfield seems to be lacking that bit of experienced-creative bite that the club has always been known to possess in abundance.

However, after witnessing a thumping defeat at the hands of Manchester United at their fortress, Old Trafford, it seems Arsenal are set to bolster their offensive options.

Though this article acknowledges that both Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas need to be replaced, I personally feel the topic addressing potential replacements for the Spaniard has already been discussed in great detail and frequency. Adding to that the fact that I feel Wilshere will eventually take up the "Cesc role" in midfield, I feel that discussing that topic would be a bit redundant.

It's also worth mentioning that I do not agree with the theory purporting that Samir Nasri could replace Fabregas. They play a completely different game, with one "pulling the strings" and the other one (Nasri) very much playing as the former's foil, or more commonly "partner in crime."

Anyway, without much ado, I present to you the six players that The Gunners should pursue to replace the French maestro, Samir Nasri.

Go Crazy! 

Yoann Gourcuff

One of several midfielders touted as "the next Zidane," it's fair to say Yoann Gourcuff's ability and talent is quite evident when playing his preferred attacking-midfield position.

The French international impressed during his loan spell at Bourdoux from AC Milan. There he helped his team win virtually every major French honor, while picking up the French Player of the Year award himself. He now plies his trade at Lyon.

Despite failing to live up to the initial hype that surrounded his €22 million move from Bourdoux (after the club bought him), many still feel that under the right sort of guidance and tutelage, Gourcuff may yet return to his sparking best. 

Estimated value: £13 Million 

Gourcuff's decline in form, accompanied with an unfortunate increase in niggling injuries, means his value simply isn't what it once was just a year back.

Likelihood of making Arsenal move: Low

Gourcuff was once the center of Arsene Wenger's attention prior to his move to Lyon, but has since seemed to have departed the French tactician's contingency plans. 

Toni Kroos

A surprising addition, considering he hasn't been linked with a move to Arsenal...or anyone, for that matter. But why fill out the slideshow with "the usuals" when we have the luxury of speculation?

Toni Kroos is young, technically adept and looks dangerous in the final third. Essentially, he ticks all of the boxes as far as a Nasri-like replacement goes.

Highly rated all throughout Germany, the 21-year-old suffers the unfortunate consequence of playing in an increasingly sought after position (CAM) during an era where it seems Germany can't stop producing them (Gotze, Ozil, etc).

And seeing as though he currently plays second-fiddle to Thomas Muller for his favored attacking-midfield position, I see no reason why he may not want to leave Munich and try to cement a first-team place, and consequently make a position "his own" elsewhere.

Estimated Value: £18 Million 

Kroos is German and he'd be leaving what is arguably Germany's most successful team, with sufficient time left on his contract. This means the crafty German may cost a hefty load.

Likelihood of Arsenal move: Low 

Kroos may currently be behind Muller in the pecking order at Bayern Munich, but the fact that they give him playing time in important games suggests the German outfit would be unwilling to let the talented midfielder part ways. Also seeing as though he may potentially "kill" Ramsey's career being only 21, it seems we can only dream for this sort of transfer to transpire.

Stevan Jovetic

Young, versatile and unusually experienced for someone just 21, Stevan Jovetic bears all the traits required to step-in for the departed French midfielder, Samir Nasri.

The Montenegrin, who is highly rated—by not only the Viola faithful, but also the rest of Italy—has been likened to Roberto Baggio, due to his ability on the ball and his contribution off it.

Jovetic's versatility means he can play in multiple positions all across the front, including in "the hole"—apparently Nasri's favorite position—and his age means that he's the sort of player that would appeal to Arsene Wenger.

Estimate value:  £18 Million

Seeing as though he's highly rated all throughout Italy—to the extent that he's likened to legendary playmaker Roberto Baggio—it seems Arsenal would have to break the bank if they have any intentions of bringing the Montenegrin to the Emirates.

Likelihood of Arsenal move: Low

Jovetic has virtually never been linked with The Gunners, and the Italian league has notably been one such division that Wenger likes to steer clear of, bar a few signings.

Also, considering Sky Sports is linking Arsenal with a move for another Viola midfielder—left-winger Juan Manual Vargas—it seems highly unlikely that Fiorentina would willingly sell two of their most important players in the same window.  

Ibrahim Afellay

Those of you still reading are probably wondering why I continue listing players we've so far never seen linked. The simple answer to that is it's just speculation, and it's fun!

Dutch star Ibrahim Afellay, who was undoubtedly one of the transfer bargains of the decade—€3 million—now plies his trade in Catalonia for Spanish champions, Barcelona.

At 25 years of age, the Dutchman is vastly experienced, at least in comparison to the rest of the Arsenal squad. His creative ability was quite clear as well, when he rounded Marcelo to provide a stunning assist for Messi against Real Madrid in the Champions League last season.

The former PSV captain is also quite tricky when it comes to dribbling around defenders. He enjoys bringing the ball up the pitch to consequently reek havoc in the final third.

Estimated value:  £1-10 Million

Considering Afellay seems to have been frozen out of any chance of cementing a starting spot due to the arrivals of Alexis Sanchez and former Gunners captain Cesc Fabregas, his value probably hasn't significantly skyrocketed since his arrival.

Likelihood of Arsenal move: Improbable

Considering Barcelona don't seem the sort of team that mind incurring a loss (Ibrahimovich anyone?) and his future prospects of participation in the team seems to have further diminished, it wouldn't be extremely tedious for the Gunners to land the Dutch ace. Though he also hasn't ever been linked with Arsenal, Wenger's "last-minute" frenzy targets suggest we really know little about the French tactician's plans.

Despite making his move to Barcelona during the January window, Afellay would still be eligible to appear for Arsenal, as he would not have played for three teams during a single calendar year, deeming him eligible for a transfer. 

Riccardo Montolivo

A player who's actually been linked with Arsenal, Riccardo Montolivo was easily Italy's brightest player in an otherwise frustrating World Cup outing for the then-former world champions.

Likened to seasoned AC Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo, Montolivo bears all the traits required of him to make it at the top in England. Uncharacteristically quick and creative for an Italian, the 26-year-old would undoubtedly be a welcomed addition to a young Arsenal squad.

Perhaps the most striking similarity Montolivo shares (or shared, up until last week) with Nasri is the fact that he too continually refused to sign an extension on his contract, which only had a year left to run down. Essentially, Fiorentina are reluctant to let a player as talented and monetarily valuable as Montolivo leave for free by this time next year—a similar predicament Arsenal found themselves in with Nasri.

Estimated value: £22 Million 

Fiorentina know they have a really good player on their hands, albiet a want-away one, and will be looking to capitalize on a profit rather than losing him on a free. The Italians, who will also probably be aware of Arsenal's waiting game with Manchester City, would probably want a hefty share of the "Nasri money" in return for their playmaker.

Likelihood of Arsenal move: Probable

With less than 24 hours left in the open transfer window, Fiorentina are arguably in a weak bargaining position. Reports have already linked Arsenal with the midfielder—whether actual bids were made until now is irrelevant—as Wenger will likely want to capitalize on Montolivo's contract situation.  

Marvin Martin

A name most Arsenal fans have probably only just heard in the last few weeks, it's Marvin Martin's striking attributes that make him a top contender for seamlessly fitting in at Arsenal, and thus makes him top this list.

Arguably the most creative player of the bunch so far, Martin made his announcement on the international stage during his second-half cameo appearance for the national team (France) against Ukraine. The playmaker registered two goals and one assist, ultimately turning the game 4-1 in France's favor.

His play-making ability, which saw him top the French league in assists with 19 in all, also earned him the nickname of "little Xavi," in reference to Barcelona's midfield general—also an indication of just how much his goal-creating contributions were noticed.

Estimated value: £10-15 Million

In the recent transfer window fiasco at Arsenal, where every player worthy of kicking a ball has been linked with the club, Marvin Martin has transformed from international unknown to the Gunner's top target. With Sochaux aware of the urgent need for a creative head at The Emirates, expect the French outfit to hold out as much as possible with this one.

Likelihood of Arsenal move: High

Though I acknowledge there aren't any concrete reports linking Arsenal with the highly-rated playmaker, the fact that Martin is French (Wenger's preference) coupled with the French tactician's pressing need for a playmaker at The Emirates makes it seem a very likely transfer. Add the fact that his price would probably be a lot less than some of the other names being thrown around, expect this transfer's figures to fall in an affordable and reasonable price range. 

Agree or disagree? Leave your thoughts in the comments below, or tweet/follow me @saqibddb