The 2018/2019 season may not be properly over yet, but the summer transfer window is well and truly underway as clubs around the world size up who they would like to sell and who they would like to buy.
Even members of the “Big Six”, like Unai Emery’s Arsenal, are completing that task as we speak. And you may not think that the UEFA Europa League finalists and Premier League fifth-placed side need to add much to their star-studded squad, but there are at least 15 players that they should be targeting this summer.
Find out who they are as we take you through them…
Eric Bailly
Following another highly questionable season for the Arsenal defence, an overhaul is needed in the summer transfer window, especially in central defence. Centre-backs have to go and centre-backs have to come in.
One of the latter should be Manchester United’s Eric Bailly. The Ivorian may be something of an outcast at Old Trafford at the moment, but we are all aware of the 25-year-old’s ability and experience at the highest level, ability and experience that would fit in well at the Emirates Stadium – in the regular starting Xl or on the fringes.
Youri Tielemans
In one of the most high-profile moves of the summer to have already been announced, Aaron Ramsey will move to Juventus at the end of his contract after 11 years in north London and Arsenal can’t think they can afford not to replace him properly – especially with the possibility of Mesut Ozil also departing.
Leicester City loan star Youri Tielemans would be the perfect like-for-like replacement for the Welshman in central attacking midfield. The Belgium international has impressed hugely in his half-season at the King Power Stadium, notching three goals and five assists in the Premier League.
Nicolas Pepe
Lille left winger Nicolas Pepe has set Ligue 1 alight this season with his outstanding flare, pace and skill, bagging himself a staggering 22 goals and 11 assists.
At 23, the Gunners’ own left-wing talent Alexandre Iwobi is struggling to fulfil his potential and the arrival of the 23-year-old Ivory Coast man could be exactly the kick in the backside he needs to start performing. The duo of Iwobi and Pepe available would make Unai Emery’s left flank fearsome.
Ben Chilwell
The North Londoners’ defensive reshuffle this summer will also need to extend to both full-back positions, but left-back has to be the priority with no clear first choice just the injury-prone Sead Kolasinac and ageing Nacho Monreal.
Another current Foxes star would undoubtedly offer a solution to the problem in Ben Chilwell. However, the only issue with the move for the England international is that Emery’s men aren’t the only ones who’ve had the same idea. They will face competitions from clubs such as Manchester City, Napoli and Liverpool for the 22-year-old’s signature.
Kostas Manolas
Another name who would help revolutionalise Arsenal’s central defence this window is Roma’s 27-year-old 39-time Greek international Konstantinos Manolas.
It seems like the Gunners hierarchy have taken the same view too as recent rumours suggest the club have concrete interest in the rock-solid centre-half. Manolas, you would feel, is superior to anything the North London outfit have at present in central defence and drastic improvement in the area is key to success next campaign.
Denzel Dumfries
Right-back appears to be the only position in Emery’s defence where a good-enough first-choice option exists, but Hector Bellerin can’t seem to make it through a full term at the moment without picking up a serious injury or two.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles can’t fill in forever and Stephan Lichtsteiner and Carl Jenkinson are poised to be released at the end of their contracts, at least one or two more options are needed and one of these should be Denzel Dumfries. The Holland star deserves to be at a higher level than the Eredivisie and will surely have that in mind as we enter this window.
Cengiz Under
The signing of Roma attacker Cengiz Under would be a huge statement of intent for the North Londoners and in terms of the local bragging rights a win, with Tottenham Hotspur also looking to sign the utility man.
The Turkish superstar would be able to provide excellent support for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette at the Emirates Stadium and that’s all they need to bring home bags of goals. And at 21, the best years of Under’s career operating all across the attack are still yet to come.
Matt Doherty
Someone who can be signed alongside Dumfries to provide cover and competition for Bellerin is Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Matt Doherty – the right-back will not be short of interest after the maiden Premier League campaign he’s just enjoyed.
Doherty may have just signed a new deal at Molineux and be very tricky to prise away from Nuno Espirito Santo’s men with the ambition that Wolves are showing, but nothing’s impossible. The Republic of Ireland international has the ability to challenge Bellerin and Dumfries to be the first choice.
Kalidou Koulibaly
When it comes to a real marquee signing at centre-half for the Gunners this summer, it can be no other than the defender every top team in Europe appears to be targeting, Kalidou Koulibaly of Napoli.
The 27-year-old Senegalese international is an absolute colossus at the back who’s matured to become arguably the best centre-back in Serie A since his transfer to Naples from Genk in 2014. He shouldn’t spend much longer in Italy’s top division and is playing well below his level – a switch to the Premier League surely beckons.
Cristian Pavon
Speaking of operating well below your level, this transfer window will if there’s any sense in the world, be the time for Boca Juniors’ Cristian Pavon to finally make his big switch to Europe and Arsenal should ensure it’s with them.
Watford have emerged as the front-runners to land him in recent times, however, the Gunners can easily trump their London rivals in the market. Pavon would be another candidate to provide that much-needed support to the two main forwards from the wide areas as a right-footed individual comfortable on either flank.