What players Arsenal should try to sign this summer...

What players Arsenal should try to sign this summer? Arsenal Football Club could be on course for a top 4 finish under new manager Unai Emery and although they can’t be confident in resecuring Champions League football to the Emirates through the league, the Europa League provides a very viable route. If they do return to Europe’s top competition then all plaudits must go to Emery and how he has brought the best out in many of Arsenal’s stars who have misfired consistently in the past. With that must come a financial backing from a frugal owner who comparatively has spent very little. Despite various media reports suggesting Arsenal will not spend more than 40 million pounds in the summer, I am sure that with the extra TV money that Champions League football brings alongside the new Adidas and Emirates deals, Arsenal will surely have a minimum of 75-100 million come the summer. Although this may seem like not a lot in today’s market, Arsenal have already shown with the likes of Torreira, Guendouzi and Leno that you don’t have to break the bank in order to get a top-class player. Consequently, in the absence of Arsenal’s Sporting Director and Head of Recruitment, I have identified several players in key positions for Arsenal who we could sign.

(Estimated prices from: https://www.transfermarkt.com)

Full Backs

Ben Chilwell

Age: 22 | Nationality: English | Current Club: Leicester City | Estimated Price: £19.5 million 

Ben Chilwell is a talented Left-Back who has developed after a run of games into a starter for both club and country. With Monreal likely about to leave soon this season or next and with Sead Kolasinac’s defensive frailties, Chilwell could be perfect as competition for Kolasinac and I believe, ultimately Arsenal’s long term left-back. Although Man City and Liverpool are said to be interested, he is unlikely to get much game time at either of those clubs and is more likely to come to a club like ours where if he puts in the performances, he will start. Furthermore, at a price of approximately 22 million pounds, he is both affordable and should be looked into. 

Aaron Wan-Bissaka 
Age: 21 Nationality: English Current Club: Crystal Palace Estimated Price: £19.5 million 

Aaron Wan-Bissaka is arguably one of the best young full backs and at the tender age of 21, he has so much potential. Similar to Chilwell, Wan-Bissaka could become the future RB and at the very least provide some much-needed competition to Hector Bellerin. Moreover, if we are going to regain our status of a big club then there’s nothing wrong with competition. 

Kieran Tierney 

Age: 21 | Nationality: Scottish | Current Club: Celtic | Estimated Price: £13 million 

If we go across the border to Scotland we find the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year for the third consecutive season and one of Celtic’s youngest ever captains. Kieran Tierney is undoubtedly a talent becoming a first-team regular for the Scottish Champions at the age of 19. Although it is unclear how we would cope in a league more competitive than the Scottish League, his performances in both the Champions League and the Europa League suggest he would cope just fine. Moreover, he would provide an able understudy to Sead Kolasinac for a season or two before he becomes a first team starter. 

Centre Backs

Conor Coady 

Age: 26 | Nationality: English | Current Club: Wolves | Estimated Price: £7 million

Wolverhampton Wanderers have been the stand-out team this season and at the heart of their defence has been their commander-in-chief. His meteoric rise to fame has matched his club’s, from being an outcast at Liverpool, Coady has put in the hard work to become one of the Premier League’s most consistent and sought after defenders. His consistency is impeccable having featured in every game for Wolves this season and that alongside his leadership skills, captain at 25, could prove what Arsenal need. Although his price, in reality, will be closer to 30 million, it would be a worthwhile purchase. 

Harry Maguire 

Age: 26 | Nationality: English | Current Club: Leicester City | Estimated Price: £39 million

Over the course of the World Cup, England fell in love with ‘slab head’, and it could be time for Arsenal fans to fall in love with this highly rated central defender. Confidence on the ball, a threat from corners as well as being defensively sound, he sounds like the perfect player for Arsenal. There are two main problems, firstly he isn’t exotic enough. Whilst Maguire may be exactly what Arsenal need, he isn’t the glamorous signing that Gunners may desire. He isn’t Virgil Van Dijk nor is he Aymeric Laporte, but in our current situation, it’s probably the best we can get. The other problem is his price. He is likely to be closer to 50 million maybe even 60 million and with other clubs interested, namely Man United, we are going to have to pay a premium if we want him. 

Jonathan Tah 
Age: 23 | Nationality: German | Current Club: Bayer Leverkusen | Estimated Price: £30 million

Jonathan Tah touted the next Jerome Boateng, is a star on the rise and it is vital Arsenal step in to buy this towering German before he gets firmly onto the radar of the likes of Bayern Munich and other big clubs. His presence in the heart of that Bayer Leverkusen has led to a relatively strong defence in the midst of a struggling team. 

Samuel Umtiti 
Age: 25 | Nationality: French | Current Club: Barcelona | Estimated Price: £61 million

Ultimately, the most expensive option out the four players listed but undoubtedly the one with the most accolades and the highest reputation. The stoic defender was part of a French defence to win a World Cup, part of a Barcelona team who consistently dominate La Liga; if Barcelona are willing to part with Samuel Umtiti, then what’s the problem. His price, Barcelona have already stated they want the going price for World Class defenders; with the sales of Van Dijk for 75 million and Lucas Hernandez for 68 million, it seems inconceivable that the Spanish giants would let him go for anything less than 70 million pounds. However, with the links of Raul Sanllehi, it is always worth exploring. 

Central Midfielders

James Maddison 

Age: 22 | Nationality: English | Current Club: Leicester City | Estimated Price: £26 million

The England U21 star has been proving his critics wrong, a few questioning if his move from the Championship to the Premier League had been premature and maybe suggested he should have stayed in the lower leagues for longer. However, after a slightly poor start, Maddison has found his feet and is often one of the first names on Brendan Rodgers’ team sheet. His freekick prowess and eye of the needle passes have been much raved about; maybe he could be the person to take over from Mesut Ozil after all.

Youri Tielemans 
Age: 21 | Nationality: Belgian | Current Club: Leicester City | Estimated Price: £25 million

We’ve all signed Youri Tielemans one way or another, either on FIFA or Football Manager, having been a starlet with lots of possibilities for a while he seems to be finally fulfilling some of his endless potential. Once again, in a young and vibrant Leicester team, he has been pulling the strings and is very much a key playmaker alongside Maddison. Although it may be impossible to replace Aaron Ramsey, Youri Tielemans may go some way to filling the gap. 

Corentin Tolisso 

Age: 24 | Nationality: French | Current Club: Bayern Munich | Estimated Price: £40 million

Corentin Tolisso is a player that has been heavily linked to Arsenal in the past, as has every French player! However, Tolisso has been linked more than most, thanks to his flair and versatility that Arsene Wenger built the Invincibles team on as well as his phenomenal link up and partnership with Alexandre Lacazette that saw the Arsenal striker net 27 league goals in one season. Despite this, the transfer of the French midfielder to Arsenal seems unlikely as Munich highly rate him, seeing him as another Thiago or Toni Kroos, and are unlikely to let him go. Moreover, when Arsenal were sniffing around last year, they refused to even consider offers less than 60 million and with more pressing issues in defence, Arsenal can’t afford to splash that much on a midfielder. 

Wingers 

Ryan Fraser 
Age: 25 | Nationality: Scottish | Current Club: AFC Bournemouth | Estimated Price: £18 million

This Scottish international has pace to burn and a career on the rise. Under Eddie Howe’s tremendous tutelage he has blossomed and is becoming a flying winger to be feared. Moreover, it is no secret that Unai Emery is an admirer of the Scotsman with Fraser himself saying he was ‘flattered’ by the links. At a relatively low price and with bags of potential, he should be a player that Arsenal undoubtedly look to. 

Wilfried Zaha 
Age: 26 | Nationality: Ivorian | Current Club: Crystal Palace | Estimated Price: £30 million

After his failed move to Manchester United, everyone wrote Zaha off as another player who had potential but when they went to a big club, ultimately failed. However, at Palace, Zaha has rediscovered the form that made him such a hot prospect and earnt his big move. At Palace, he is without question their star man and without him, they really struggle. Although it is unclear how Zaha would do at a big club, it is now time to take a chance on the Ivorian who has matured from the skinny trickster who went to David Moyes and United.

Nicolas Pepe 
Age: 23 | Nationality: Ivorian | Current Club: LOSC Lille | Estimated Price: £40 million

Nicolas Pepe is another player that has been linked with Arsenal for a long time and the rumours will only increase as without doubt, this has been his breakout season. His record this season, getting 19 goals and 13 assists as a winger, is absolutely phenomenal, only behind Kylian Mbappe. However, with the upturn in his goals, there will be an upturn in his price and come the summer there will be a whole host of clubs sniffing around him hoping to secure his services. Arsenal will have to pay top dollar in a fee and wages to bag him as well as securing Champions League football. 

Yannick Carrasco 

Age: 25 Nationality: Belgian | Current Club: Dalian Yifang | Estimated Price: £20 million

The Belgian winger who played a key role in Belgium’s World Cup run has seen his career seemingly peter out after his unorthodox move to China at the age of 23. Although his mentality can be questioned, his quality can not; Carrasco in his time at Athletico Madrid was a danger to behold; coming on in the 2016 Champions League Final to vastly improve his team and score the equaliser (they ultimately lost on Penalties to Ronaldo and Real Madrid, what can you do?) As a result of his move to China, Carrasco can be obtained at a much cheaper price than expected for a player of his age and class. After coming close in January, Emery will undoubtedly go back in for the Belgian in the summer. 

These are the transfer targets I think Arsenal should look into. In addition to the players I’ve mentioned, it must not be forgotten the abundance of riches in the flourishing Arsenal Academy that could easily step in to fill the gaps. Bukayo Saka and Reiss Nelson, both having impressed giving their chances in the PL2 and the Bundesliga respectfully, could easily become Arsenal’s new long-term winger. Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Joe Willock have both impressed and both could be the successors to Aaron Ramsey; with Ainsley possibly nailing down the Right-Back spot and giving Hector Bellerin some much-needed competition.

Overall, the main area where cash has to be pumped in is the Center of Defence, and if Unai Emery does achieve the feat of Champions League football, whether it is by getting in the Top 4 or by winning the Europa League; he has to backed by Stan Kroenke and the Board.

- Soorya Thavaraj @SooryaThavaraj