Arsene Wenger will once again be under tremendous pressure this summer to make use of the transfer window to add some quality to his side.
He will need better personnel and a deeper squad to compete with the best in the Premier League next season which will see them stay busy from now until the start of the next season. With just less than 10 days left for the start of the new season, the rumors have intensified so let’s take a look at all the stories coming out of the Emirates on the day:
Let’s start with the ongoing saga of the search for a striker at the club. The manager has been rejected in his first attempt at signing Lyon’s Alexander Lacazette recently after it was revealed that a £29.5m was not enough for the League 1 outfit to part with their star.
And it is now understood that the Gunners are readying a £33.7m bid to lure the player to England this summer. Wenger is desperate for a striker but it remains to be seen if Lacazette will move to the Premier League this summer.
Moving on, Arsenal’s interest in the PFA Player of the Year of the previous season, Riyad Mahrez seems to have done enough to land the star this summer. It is believed that the player and the club have already agreed personal terms and the transfer is delayed only because of a problem in the transfer fee.
Reports claim that terms regarding salary, the length of contract and bonuses have been in place for ‘some time already’ a £40m deal could go through in the next 48 hours. The Algerian will be a great addition for the Emirates outfit and can lift them to better things in years to come.
The manager has also been hit by an injury at the back to Per Mertesacker who is out of action for up to 5 months. Wenger has already identified a few players who can take his place and it is now understood that Shkodran Mustafi, Valencia’s German centre-back is on the radar of the English club.
It is believed that Mustafi will cost the Gunners around £21million, but his experience and form might see the club make a move this summer, especially with the need now immediate.
Moving on, Arsenal are also linked with a move for out-of-favor Real Madrid star Jese Rodriguez. The 23-year old has now fallen below Alvaro Morata in the pecking order and is looking for a way out of Spain and it is reported that the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool are interested in his signature.
A 3 man attack of Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Jese Rodriguez behind the main striker is surely exciting and it will be interesting to see if Wenger makes a move for the player.
And for the story of the day, Arsenal are now linked with a shock move for West Ham United target Mario Mandzukic.
Having scored 10 goals in 29 appearances for Juventus in the Serie A last season, the former Bayern Munich man is in some good form and Arsenal’s search for a striker has linked him with a move to England.
West Ham United are keen on landing the 30-year old on a £16.8million (€20m) deal this summer but it is understood that the player is currently happy in Italy. But with the Gunners now interested, it is understood that there is a chance for the Croatian to make the move this summer.