With the season over, I thought it would be interesting to see who Arsenal are linked to in the transfer market and the chances of them actually arriving at The Emirates this summer.
Mario Balotelli – 10% Chance
Silly season has already started and Mario Balotelli is a player we’ve been linked with, according to the Daily Mail. The reasoning is that we need a striker (the whole man and his dog knows this) and Super Mario is unhappy at the treatment he’s been receiving in Italy, a country that has problems with racism in football.
He’s also been linked with Liverpool, as they look to strengthen their forward line with the possibility of losing Luis Suarez to Real Madrid this summer.
Could Arsene Wenger handle him? Seems like another Nicklas Bendtner situation (although Balotelli is obviously more talented) and while he would probably be a decent signing (as our only real attacking option is Giroud) I can’t see this happening.
Carlos Vela – 10% Chance
According to ESPN, we have a clause that allows us to re-sign Vela back to Arsenal for only £3.2 million. He scored 16 goals in 37 games last season and while that’s a decent return I can’t see Arsene bringing him back just for the Mexican to sit on the bench.
Would be a decent squad addition but it won’t happen.
Karim Benzema – 20% Chance
We were linked with Benzema last season (along with Higuain) and in the end it was the Argentine striker that left Real Madrid – although it wasn’t to us it was to Napoli. The Daily Star believe Arsene Wenger has given a “massive hint” that the Frenchman is on the way to The Emirates.
He is French which makes the chances of him coming more likely, but unless Real bring in another striker it won’t happen – and for me he’s just not an Arsenal player. There’s better strikers available in my opinion and while he has a decent record he’s not world class. I suppose he could potentially work well with his ex-Madrid teammate Mesut Özil though.
Cesc Fabregas – 25% Chance
If he wants to leave and Barcelona want to sell, then it could happen. People argue that we have enough midfielders but the fact is that this season, Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta, Tomas Rosicky and Mathieu Flamini have all been missing for varying periods last season and surely if we have aspirations of winning the Premier League and doing better in Europe then we need a strong squad. Chelsea and Manchester City have extremely strong squads and they seem to cope fine with keeping the vast majority of players happy. If Cesc was going for around £25 to £30 million and we didn’t sign him, it would be criminal.
Sami Khedira – 15% Chance
If Arsene Wenger fails to bring Cescy back, then apparently our backup option is Sami Khedira. The 27 year old German international would be available for £15 million and the only way I can see us bringing him in is if Arsene Wenger feels that Mikel Arteta can’t do the same job anymore.
Loic Remy – 40% Chance
The Newcastle (well, QPR) striker would reportedly be available for around £8 million making this a more possible addition. It wouldn’t break the bank and I thought we should have brought him in last summer and even in January.
He has blistering pace, something we’re missing from our centre-forwards, and is a quality finisher. He’s been playing for QPR and Newcastle and surely coming to a top side like Arsenal is something he would thrive. Depending on his performances, he is capable of being Arsenal’s main striker or a very competent backup.
We definitely need a stronger striker force and buying Loic Remy for under £10 million would be an extremely smart piece of business.
I disagree with you on benzema,he is world class,a complete striker,clinical,pacy & good with his head & feet…i see that one as a possibility,if we don’t re-sign fab.