Arsenal have been linked with a number of players in recent months, and their chances to agree deals for Romelu Lukaku, Granit Xhaka or Zlatan Ibrahimovic have taken a blow.
The Everton star is known to be a fan of former club Chelsea, and reports are claiming that their incoming manager Antonio Conte is keen on bringing him back to the club.
Lukaku is believed to be keen on playing Champions League football next season, and having proved he can be deadly in front of goal, more than deserves a place in the European elite competition. The Blues will need an enormous run of winning matches, as well as a huge amount of luck in order to qualify for the CL for next term, so maybe we could still tempt him to snub last season’s league champions.
Granit Xhaka is the player who has been most heavily linked with a switch to the Emirates in the summer, with reports claiming his father had been in London carrying out talks over a deal. The midfielder has moved to rubbish any talks however, and claims any rumours of a move are ‘all nonsense’.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is another striker who is linked with leading our line next season, after his current Paris Saint-Germain contract runs out, but he has been urged to extend his stay in France.
His team-mate and friend Thiago Silva has urged his club to tie him down for one or two more years, claiming he cannot imagine life in Paris without him. He said: “I’m not just saying this because I’m friends with him, but I can’t imagine PSG without Zlatan.
“Ibra is invaluable for our team; opponents struggle to get him under control. He’s simply too clever and his moves are very intelligent.
“Some argue that he’s getting old, I would rather say he’s experienced. If I were the club president I would extend his contract for one or even two years.
“He’s like no other, unique. Even at 34 he’s got a huge passion for football.”
One positive which would come from Zlatan agreeing to stay in Paris is that team-mate Edinson Cavani would be highly likely to quit the club in the coming window. The Uruguayan recently admitted he was to consider his future in the close-season, whilst also revealing his time with the club has been frustrating, having been played out of position due to Zlatan’s ever-consistent favouring.
The 29 year-old is highly professional, and would not bring the same ego as Zlatan. Wenger would most likely be more eager to work with Cavani, and has previously mentioned having a liking for the star.
Would we rather Cavani to the Swede anyway? Do you believe we still have a chance to sign Lukaku or Xhaka?