On Friday, we dissected the squad to look at what we actually need in the summer to improve the first team and squad. From this, it was a common consensus that Arsenal need:
- A first choice goal keeper
- A first choice centre back
- A first choice defensive midfielder
- A squad winger
So I was then asked the above.
Simply put, who should Arsenal sign?
We were already working on a blog to discuss this, putting potential signings into 4 categories:
- Money no object
- Realistic signing
- Realistic signing
- Budget option
With the help of EastLondonGooner, we completed the list. Here are the players who would make up our fantasy target list:
Money No Object
Jan Oblak – Goalkeeper
The Atletico Madrid goalkeeper has been one of the most consistent in Europe over the last 2 and a half years.
Atletico paid €16 million for the Slovenian international in 2014. The 25 year old would be a big money signing, his release clause is reported at €100m, but would be first choice keeper for the next 10 years.
Samuel Umtiti – Centreback
Barcelona are starting to worry that the French centreback has a £54m release clause is too low. And in the current market it probably is.
Umtiti is just 6 months older than Manchester City’s new record signing Aymeric Laporte – who cost City £57m. Umtiti also keeps his compatriot out of the national side.
A left footed, left sided centre back, he would provide great balance to Shkodran Mustafi on the right hand side.
Sual Niguez – Defensive Midfielder
I am a massive fan of Saul Niguez for a few years.. The Atletico Madrid player is a terrific player. He is an all action central midfielder, reminding me a lot of Steven Gerrard. He can defend, he can attack. He can pass, he can score.
For Atletico, he tends to play in a more advanced position, but this is due to their defensive approach to the game. At an attacking side like Arsenal, he would have the skills and ability to adapt to playing deeper.
Would Atletico Madrid let him go? Certainly not easily, but they are traditionally a club who have to sell before they buy. With Diego Simeone set to leave Madrid this summer, there might be an exodus to follow.
Could a deal involving Alexandre Lacazette be of interest?
Thomas Lemar – Winger
Arsenal had a £90m deal for the young Frenchman collapse on the summer 2017 deadline day. Interest was not renewed in him in January as Arsenal instead secured Henrik Mkhitaryan as replacement for Alexis Sanchez.
Having also signed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and with Mesut Ozil signing a new contract, I would be surprised if Arsenal re-enter the race for Thomas Lemar. It would be a lot of money spent on a player who would not be guaranteed a start (unless Arsenal return to 4231).
Realistic Signing
Jack Butland – Goalkeeper
The Stoke City stopped became the the youngest goalkeeper to play for the senior England team when he made his debut in August 2012.
6 years on and he seems to have recovered from the ankle injury which same him miss almost all of the 2016/17 season.
25 years old, 6ft 5in and English, it would take Arsenal back to the days of David Seaman having England’s number 1 (which I am sure he will be at this summers World Cup).
Kostas Manolas – Centreback
Arsenal reportedly failed with 2 deadline day deals. One of which was allegedly for long-term target Manolas.
The Greek centreback has been on Arsenal’s radar since 2015, could 2018 be the year Arsenal finally secure their man?
Fabinho – Defensive Midfielder
The Brazilian was heavily linked with Manchester United in the summer, but with Kylian Mbappe, Bernardo Silva and Tiémoué Bakayoko leaving, Monaco managed to hold on to both Fabinho and Thomas Lemar.
This summer will see sides go in for the pair again, and this time it might be Fabinho who is top of Arsenal’s wish list, rather than Thomas Lemar.
Malcom – Winger
A deal for Malcom to Arsenal would have been completed in January if the Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang deals did not present themselves.
Arsenal pulled away from the deal, but this could be a temporary measure. If has given the club an additional 6 months to look at and monitor the talented young winger.
A deal for around £25m could be completed early in the summer.
Realistic Signing (2)
Alban Lafont – Goalkeeper
When it comes to young goal keepers, all the talk is about AC Milan’s Gianluigi Donnarumma, but at just 19 years old, Frenchman Lafont is quietly building a reputation for himself.
Already with over 90 first team games, this is his 3rd season as Toulouse’s number one.
With Petr Cech having one more year on his contract, a move for Lafont would be great for succession planning, as the veteran goalkeeper takes a back seat and mentors the youngster.
David de Gea had a tough time when he came to England, Lafont will go through similar. But the investment in De Gea worked out for Manchester United. With the right coaches and enough game time, Lafont could become one of the worlds best.
Harry Maguire – Centreback
The Leicester City defender seems to grow in stature every time I see him.
Not a fashionable name, he joined Leicester from Hull City in June 2017 and his career has continued on a upward curve.
From Sheffield United to Hull City to Leicester City, he would not be the name at the top of many peoples lists, but he is turning into a top Premier League defender and has recently forced his way into England reckoning.
He has the no-nonsense defensive attributes that you would expect from someone who has made his way up through the leagues, but he can play as well. I have been very impressed with his ability on the ball when in an England shirt.
25 in March, he is a serious contender.
Jean-Michael Seri – Defensive Midfielder
We are struggling to transition the ball from defence to attack. Something that has ended up leaving Mesut Ozil isolated and coming deeper to get the ball.
Santi Cazorla has not been replaced. Xhaka was supposed to be that replacement, starting out attacks from deep, but too often he gives the ball away in dangerous places leading to goals conceded.
Seri is a diminutive, hard working midfielder who has a £33 million release clause.
He is a defensive midfielder who covers a lot of ground, so would fit in perfectly with Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere either side.
Leon Bailey – Winger
The 20-year-old Jamaican speedster joined Bayer Leverkusen for €20 million in the 2016/17 transfer window. He has broken through to the first team this season, scoring 8 goals in his 16 appearances.
At a reported £35m, he is a lot of money for an unproven talent. But he is a talent.
With the growing contingent of German speakers at the club, Bailey could fit right in
Budget Option
Danijel Subašić – Goalkeeper
At 33, the Monaco goalkeeper would be a short term solution to replacing Petr Cech.
Having been at Monaco for 7 years, he signed a year extension to his current deal in the summer of 2017, taking him through to the end of 2020.
He may wish to see out his career at Monaco, but a chance to join a massive club in the twilight of his career might be too much to turn down. And would Monaco turn down £10-15m for the ageing goal keeper?
Jonny Evans – Centreback
Alan Pardew gloated the day the transfer window shut that Arsenal had failed with a £12m bid for the Northern Irish centreback. He laughed as he said it would have taken an offer twice that amount for WBA to accept the bid.
Arsenal could have the last laugh as the experienced defender could be available for as little as £3million if WBA get relegated.
Idrissa Gueye – Defensive Midfielder
In the 2016 calendar year, the Everton midfielder made the most successful tackles and interceptions out of any player in Europe’s top five leagues.
Gueye is a strong tackler, but he can also play from the back and is able to distribute quickly – something which Granit Xhaka struggles with.
He is a proven Premier League player that would immediately improve the Arsenal squad.
Florian Thauvin – Winger
If you are scratching your head thinking I recognise this name it is probably because you will remember him for a poor spell at Newcastle in 2015.
After not settling in the North-East, he was loaned back to Marseille before rejoining the club he left for the Geordies in 2017.
Since returning to Marseille, he has returned to the sparkling form that led Newcastle to pay £15m for him – scoring 29 goals in the last 18 months in France.
An outside bet to make France’s World Cup squad, if Arsenal do not require a first team winger, the speedster could be a cheap, but quality, option.
So in summary:
If we have missed anyone, please leave a name in the comments below!
Keenos
Follow @KeenosAFC
She Wore A Yellow Ribbon 
Not sure if a budget or realistic (2) option but every time I see Jamaal Lascelles he never lets Newcastle down and is a proper centre back. I think the only issue with him or Maguire is concentration . In the teams they play it is very much backs to the wall and they defend a lot, whereas at clubs like Arsenal you have more of the ball so procession on the ball is more of a requirement as is constant concentration even without the ball
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We were close to signing Lascelles before he went to Newcastle. Only 24 and one that I do like.
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Not sure if this is a realistic option, but a new manager should be part of that list 🙂
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