The playing season is over for all English club teams now, and while some of us will settle for watching the Champions League final, the European Under-21 Championship and the Copa America, the vast majority of Arsenal fans will favour the will-they wont-they speculation of the summer window to talk about.
Here is a few talking points which are doing the rounds, and start with the shortest-lived story, and work my way up to what I believe will be the longer saga.
Nacho Monreal is being linked with the exit door, although the only basis for the story is the fact the defender has 12 months remaining on his contract. The Spaniard has been linked with Athletic Bilbao because of their strict transfer policy, but Arsene Wenger is a known fan, and he will most likely enjoy his summer holiday, before signing a new contract soon after his return.
James Milner is reported to have held talks with both us and Liverpool, and while I believe he would be a great signing, and the offer of Champions League football should put us in the driving seat, he wants guaranteed football, and our midfield is hardly short of numbers. He wants to leave City to be a regular starter, and I cant see Wenger convincing that him he will play ahead of Coquelin, Ramsey, Wilshere and Cazorla week-in week-out. Shame…
Arsenal are lining up a move for Borussia Dortmund Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang this summer, if the Metro is ever to be believed. The striker scored his 25th goal of the season as his side lost the DFB Pokal cup final to Wolfsburg, and is said to be on our radar. Cant see much substance in the report, but you never know…
Last but not least, Man United are said to be looking to hijack our move for Morgan Schneiderlin, although in reality, we don’t appear all that interested at present. He enjoyed a good season with Southampton, and is keen to play in the Champions League, but I don’t think he will get his move to the top-four this summer, although the rumours will likely continue until the move fizzles out on deadline day.
I know these are all unlikely, but I really wouldn’t mind if a couple of them came true!