By Fab4.
Here are some of the latest transfer rumours doing the rounds of late. Some are familiar names to Arsenal fans, with the likes of Melo and Gomis being linked once again. While Gunners fans will be excited to here Gourcuff and Silva being named as possible replacements should captain Cesc Fabregas leave for Barcelona. Arsenal have also been linked with yet another goalkeeper and a couple of centre-backs.
Per Mertesacker
Arsenal have been linked with a move for Werder Bremen’s giant centre-back Per Mertesacker, according to The Sunday Times. Arsene Wenger has been linked with the German international in the past and the report claims Mertesacker is looking for a move away from the Bundesliga and the Arsenal boss is ready to make.
The Gunners are on the look-out for a defensive partner for Thomas Vermaelen after it seems certain that William Gallas will leave the club after failing to agree a contract extension, and with 60 caps for Germany and standing at 6ft 6in, Mertesacker is tipped to be the experienced dominant centre-back the club are looking for. I would love this rumour to be true, he is exactly the type of player Arsene should be looking at.
Felipe Melo
Once again Arsenal have been linked with a move for long-term target Felipe Melo. The Brazilian international was close to a move to the Gunners last summer but opted for Juventus, but his time in Turin has been a disappointment and has been tipped by the Times to make the move the Emirates this summer as Arsene Wenger looks to add some steel to his midfield engine-room. Despite his poor season for Juve, Melo has a lot talent and would be a great signing for Arsenal. Although i think his price tag of £17-£20m is slightly over-inflated given what the player has actually achieved so far.
David Silva
The Mirror claims that Wenger has been keeping a close eye on Valencia’s skillful play-maker David Silva. With Cesc Fabregas linked with a move to Barca, Wenger may look to Silva as a replacement and despite interest from Real Madrid and Manchester United, the report says it’s Arsenal who could land the talented 24-year-old for £17m. Although i would love to see Silva arrive at the Emirates, i can’t see this one happening. He has been linked with Real for that last couple of years and if he leaves Valencia i think he will become a Madrid man, Arsene wouldn’t compete with them on price and wages.
Yoann Gourcuff
Gourcuff has been widely tipped to be Cesc Fabregas’s replacement should our captain make the move to Barca this summer. The Bordeaux ace is valued at around £25m and Wenger sees him as the ideal candidate to take over the create role currently filled by Fabregas. The 23-year-old has been capped 17 times by France so far and has been in tremendous form over the past two seasons since moving to Bordeaux from AC Milan, and was a key figure as he won the Ligue 1 in his first year back in France and was also named the league’s best player. However this season has not been as successful as Bordeaux only managed a sixth place finish and failed to qualify for any European football next season. If Fab’s does go, get this man Arsene. Pure class.
Bafetimbi Gomis
Lyon forward Gomis was linked with the Gunners last summer and his name has once again been thrown in the hat as a potential summer buy. Gomis scored 10 goals in 37 appearances this season and signed for Lyon for £11m only a year ago from Saint-Etienne. After the signing of Marouane Chamakh was tied up last week, it’s very difficult to imagine Arsene Wenger buying another striker so i see no substance in this one.
Other rumours include a move for Newcastle centre-back Steven Taylor who is out of contract next summer and Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer. I could see the sense in going for Taylor who is a good age and wouldn’t break the bank, but i can’t see Wenger going for a 37-year-old goalkeeper and Fulham would be very reluctant sellers.
So they are the latest transfer rumours and I’m sure that as the summer goes on a whole host of other names will be linked with a move to the Emirates. What do you make of these rumours? Who would you like to see Arsenal buy this summer? Please leave your comments below…
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