£30 million quartet is just what Mr Wenger should order
Surprisingly, Arsene Wenger is reportedly ready to splash out £30 million this summer to recruit new players as he prepares to launch yet another assault on the Premier League next season.
Wenger’s wish-list this summer consists of four players, Fulham’s veteran goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, Everton’s Phil Jagielka, Chelsea’s Joe Cole and Lorient’s Laurent Koscielny, all of which are realistic targets. However, are they the correct players to be targeting with a £30 million transfer kitty? Personally, I don’t think so
Not to say Wenger doesn’t know what he is doing because in my opinion, the man is an Arsenal icon who has accomplished great things for the North London club since his arrival in 1996, but I, (maybe along with some other Arsenal fans reading this) feel that he is targeting the wrong players in the right positions. I for one am actually very surprised to hear that Wenger is willing to splash the cash, as he hasn’t done this in several years. Although, I sense that at least 2-3 player’s that Mr. Wenger has targeted this summer won’t adapt well into the Arsenal squad.
If I were in Wenger’s shoes as Arsenal boss, my aim would be to acquire at least four players with the £30 million transfer funds available (one of which is free) and Le Professeur has already expressed an interest in. Nevertheless, here is what I would spend the £30 million on this summer, enjoy:
Joe Hart (Manchester City)
My first protocol would be to acquire a young, talented and reliable goalkeeper and Joe Hart fits that description perfectly. He would be a definite transfer target for me without a doubt.
Arsenal suffered severely in this department last season and many will agree (along with me) that if the Gunners had a great keeper guarding the net, then they could have gone further than they did. Too many goals were conceded, and although people will say that the defence contributed to this (which evidently they did), however, its Manuel Almunia with the gloves on, and as such, needs to keep the ball out of his net…its what he’s paid for after all. Lukasz Fabianski is still young so I can’t really bad mouth the lad, but he proved with his performances last season that he lacks confidence and can’t handle pressure well, he is simply not ready.
With this all being said I would look to acquire Joe Hart from City this summer. The 23-year-old had a fantastic season on loan for Birmingham City, but is now back in Eastland’s after his long loan spell expired in May.
The shot-stopper’s future remains in the balance at City with Shay Given the obvious no.1. Hart is a great keeper who can only get better with time, and with his future unresolved, I would certainly look to buy the England international for sure. A bid of around £9 million would acquire his services, which is a real bargain in my opinion.
Cash Spent: £9 million
Total Funds Left: £21 million
Turn to page 2 to see the 3 other players on the list
Simon Kjaer (Palermo)
Having watched the 21-year-old Danish defender against the Netherlands the other day, I would certainly say that he is another player to obtain this summer. The Palermo youngster is a highly-rated centre-back in European football today, and as a result, has attracted a number of clubs in recent weeks.
Sol Campbell, William Gallas, Philippe Senderos and Mikael Silvestre seem to be all looking towards the exit doors of the Emirates, so a purchase of a top defender this summer is a must for the Gunners in my opinion.
I feel Arsenal need a young centre-back in their ranks, someone capable of playing for a big club and can handle pressure as well…all signs point to Kjaer. The defender would adapt well to the English game and would fit well into the current Arsenal squad without much hassle. Kjaer has great positional, aerial and tackling ability, attributes that need improving in the Arsenal back-line.
The defender has a release clause within his existing contract of £12 million, so if I were the Arsenal boss, I would certainly offer the amount in order to break the clause and discuss personal terms with the Danish international as soon as possible. Arsenal fans may think that they need a more experienced centre-back, they maybe right, but for a player of his age and ability, £12 million would go down as a great piece of business.
Cash Spent: £12 million
Total Funds Left: £9 million
Joe Cole (Chelsea)
I agree with Wenger’s pursuit of the out-of-favour Chelsea winger Joe Cole, although this would not affect my budget at all. Cole would be a great asset to Arsenal, as the North London club need some injection of English blood in their squad. The midfielder has great ability and trickery to suit the style of the Gunners and I’m sure many Arsenal fans will welcome the 28-year-old with open arms. Cole would sign on a free, and as a result would be a remarkable signing for the club. However, his salary demands may cost the club in the excess of £120,000-a-week, still he would require no transfer fee, so it’s all good in hindsight.
Cash Spent: £0
Total Funds Left: £9 million
John Heitinga (Everton)
£9 million left in the kitty, why not spend it on Everton’s John Heitinga? Wenger has shown interest in Heitinga’s Everton team-mate Phil Jagielka, but I feel, although Jagielka is a decent defender, the Englishman just doesn’t look the Arsenal type…John Heitinga on the other hand is.
The Dutchman is strong, quick and not afraid to get stuck in. Even more so, the Everton man can play in the centre-back position as well as sit in front of the back-line, so evidently, it would be like signing two players for the price of one. He already has Premiership experience, and if he were to play with Thomas Vermaelen next season, they would make one hell of a defensive partnership for the Gunners. Incidentally, Heitinga is valued at £9 million, which is what is left in my transfer budget.
Cash Spent: £9 million
Total Funds Left: £0
£30 million spent, four new arrivals, job done.
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