Spanish giants Barcelona could be set to offload as many as 11 players so they can fund new acquisitions, according to the Daily Mirror.
If this is true then there are at least three players that the Mirror claims could be sold that Arsenal are interested in, or have been recently.
Last year we were linked with a move for Rafinha, now, that interest has died somewhat, but you have to think that if he came available that we would at the very least take another look at the 25-year-old, he would certainly be a contender to fill the gap that will be left by Aaron Ramsey.
Then there is Samuel Umtiti.
We have been linked consistently over the last few weeks with the France World cup winner and just two days ago it was being reported that Arsenal has made an attempt to take the 25-year-old on loan.
Finally, there is Ivan Rakitic.
The 31-year-old has apparently rejected both us and Man Utd in favour of a move to Inter Milan, however, the source for that was the Sun citing sources in Italy, so take that with a pinch of salt.
Rakitic is over 30 and everything will depend on the sort of contract he is offered as he comes to the end of his career and there is just as much chance of him joining us as there is of him joining Inter.
What are the chances of any of these three signing for us?
You have to think that there is a good chance if the reports of Barca needing to sell are true, all three have been linked with us so at some point, if the rumours are accurate, we must have been interested, all three certainly are quality and could settle in well at the Emirates.
It is going to be an interesting an interesting summer transfer window that’s for sure.
Get me Ruben neves or doucoure to replace Ramsey…….get Malcolm on loan or grab chukwueze from Villarreal,get me Willy boly of wolves to replace mustafi and finally get me monito Vargas of velez sarsfield(the Argentine hazard) he is an arsenal fan…he has to replace iwobi on the wings…even though I’m a Nigerian i know we need an upgrade on iwobi…..do this and Liverpool and man city will know a force is here to stay
1 good game from chukwueze now he is arsenal material? You are right about Decore though
I like to see Chukwueze and Malcom play for Arsenal
But no need for another CM, unless he is the powerful box-to-box CM Tanguy Ndombele
Oh yeah Jon…i love iwobi not just because he is a Nigerian but because i know he worked hard to get to where he is and that deserves respect but deep down i know we need an upgrade because i really want arsenal to bring back the title….and thanks for welcoming me back
I really want sanhelli to use his South American connections to get us monito Vargas of Velez sarsfield.. He could be our very own talisman that can push to the title.. He could be our very own younger hazard….he loves arsenal and he wants to play for arsenal…arsenal need to get him..we shouldn’t let this chance slip… We could regret it for years to come….. Please sanhelli get me monito Vargas….that guy is a baller
” so take that with a pinch of salt.” Whilst the Mirror is well known for literally never getting a single transfer rumour wrong.
Not interested in any of them!
not even umtiti who would be an upgrade on most cb at the club ?
Have you read about the knee problems he has been having and loss of form?
I wouldn’t take him, I would much prefer the money to be spent elsewhere, we could compete for Manolas signature for Umtiti price.
I think he’s not long back from big injury, so I think we need to see if he’ll properly recover. I’d also prefer a taller, more imposing CB.
Umtiti was a world class CB, but he is of similar build as our current CBs
I also agree we need a towering and dominating CB in the mold of VVD and Koulibaly, instead of getting a small one like Jose Gimenez. Hence we could hope for more set-pieces goals, as what Branislav Ivanovic often did for Chelsea
Rafinha is also a skillful CM, but we already have plenty. Rakitic was instrumental in helping Barcelona dominate La Liga and Croatia in World Cup, but he is old now
I’d have preferred to keep Ramsey than go for either of those players. I never liked Rafinha and thought Rakitic a little similar to Ramsey only he was overrated while Ramsey was underrated. It’s a pity because Emery looks like he could cox the best out of Ramsey, he would also choose his position and which games to drop him for, in a way that even Ramsey’s detractors might appreciate more. He’s at a great age too, he has a lot of experience, PL experience. It’s not always easy to replace a player like that, even our fans have asked us to go for more of the PL proven targets over the years. This league is not for everyone, even if those Barca players decided to come over here, it’s not a guarantee that they’d adapt well enough, or in Rakitic’s case, his career might be over before we start seeing the best of him.
Look at Suarez, I know he needs games to help him adjust, but does anyone yet feel that it would be a mistake to not take him on board for a measly 20m. He was one of Barca’s most creative, he just lacked the game-time compared to his teammates.
If Rakitic was younger, then yes, I could see the sense in bringing him in on less money than it would have taken to hold onto Ramsey.
Obviously would love an Umtiti in the Arsenal dress!!!
But a reality check here…ain’t going to happen.
Unfortunately way above our budget and pull at this present time…
We need a left footed CD to take over from Nacho – any suggestions?
We need above CD along with a guy to compete and hopefully improve on Xhaka as well as a winger for next season.
Go Gunners
Tarkowski burnley. We need to tighten up our defence. Harry Maguire.
We need a solid centre back that means business and will lead the team on the pitch.
Sorry but I would not honestly feel excited by either!
As for Maguire its partly because he would come for a fee that would drain our budget…
No I actually would not mind us getting Rojo – know you guys will get on my back here but the guy has talent and believe Emery is just the one to bring him back to playing the good stuff in a back three again with hardly any downside as will come on a free. This way we would still have a budget for a top CM to improve on Xhaka as well as a striker/winger to increase competition up front.
Saying that I take Umtiti every day of the week!!!