Arsenal take on Chelsea in Saturday’s afternoon kick-off in China, but I think we should use the opportunity to talk transfers.
The Blues currently have two players from their title winning campaigns of the last three years looking for new clubs, and both could improve our squad.
Diego Costa helped their side to win the Premier League title in two of the last three campaigns, scoring 20 goals in each of those seasons, and has shown on a number of occasions against our side, just how difficult a player he is to play against.
Costa is claimed to be available for around £44 Million, with his replacement Alvaro Morata expected to be announced in the coming days.
Nemanja Matic is another big player who played key roles in helping left both of those PL titles also, and he is also expected to leave, with his replacement Tiemoué Bakayoko having already joined the club.
Roman Abramovich has apparently given him the seal of approval to join a rival having lost his place in Antonio Conte’s first-team plans, and he would be a huge improvement on Francis Coquelin in our squad.
Matic is a strong holding midfielder who is surprisingly impressive at finding a clinical pass, or even getting into goalscoring positions considering his priorities defensively, and would be a great addition to any Premier League side.
At 28 years of age, he is should only be entering his prime at present, and could give our squad the required grit to mount a serious title challenge this term.
Should Arsenal ask Chelsea about the likelihood of a transfer? Surely if Abramovich is willing to contemplate allowing Matic join United, he would allow us to talk to him?
Pat J