Wenger Adds Bundesliga Ace To Three-Man Shortlist

As we approach the opening of the summer window clubs will be intensifying their efforts in the transfer market so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip. Today, Gooner Mac brings us the latest on Arsenal’s search for a right-back.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has added Schalke’s Atsuto Uchida to his three-man shortlist of potential replacements for Manchester City-bound Bacary Sagna, according to reports today.

Sagna looks almost certain to leave the club when his contract expires after failing to come to terms over an extension, with the Frenchman understood to have rejected our final £90,000-a-week offer.

Widespread reports claim Sagna is on the verge of moving to Man City after agreeing terms on a three-year deal worth at least £120,000-a-week, with the deal set to be officially confirmed when he becomes a free agent next month.

The 31-year-old’s impending departure will leave a huge void for Arsene Wenger to fill and the Mirror claim that the boss has now looked to the Bundesliga for a potential replacement by adding Schalke ace Atsuto Uchida to his three-man shortlist of right-back targets.

The newspaper suggests that Wenger has had his scouts keep a close eye on the Japan international this season, and they are believed to have been impressed by the 26-year-old’s endless energy levels.

Uchida is on a three-man list along with Atletico Madrid’s Juanfran and Toulouse’s Serge Aurier. It appears we’ve renewed our interest in Juanfran as we were linked last summer and the Mirror claim Wenger will make a move for the Spanish international if given any encouragement.

It’s unlikely Atletico will be interested in selling the 29-year-old as he’s been a key player in Diego Simone’s side this season, with the experienced defender playing more outfield games than any other player, and he’ll take his place in the team tonight hoping to secure a historic double by beating Real Madrid in the final of the Champions League.

So although he’d be an excellent addition, I don’t see anything coming of it and Juanfran is likely to remain at the Vicente Calderon this summer.

The third player we’re looking at is Aurier and reports have linked us with a £7m move in recent days. The 21-year-old would be a bargain at that price and he’s got the potential to become one of the best full-backs in Europe.

However, the Ivory Coast international is still raw and the newspaper suggests Wenger has reservations over whether he’s ready to command a regular place in the Arsenal eleven – hence why he’s widened his net to include Uchida.

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Of the three, I feel Aurier remains not only the easiest to acquire, but also the most realistic. He’s certainly a ‘Wenger-type’ signing and would be well within budget, so I can see us signing the Ivorian once Sagna’s move is confirmed.