Arsenal Boss Arsene Wenger Eyes €37.5m Double Raid

The summer transfer window is now open for business and it’s expected to be a busy few weeks as managers strengthen their squads ahead of next season, so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip. Today, Gooner Mac brings us news of a double bid.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is lining-up a €37.5m double raid on Southampton for defender Dejan Lovren and midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, according to reports today.

With the future of Thomas Vermaelen in serious doubt it looks like a new centre-back is going to be on the agenda this summer and Lovren has now emerged as a potential target.

The 24-year-old has just come off the back of an excellent debut season in the Premier League following his move from Lyon last summer, and his impressive displays at the back helped Southampton to an eight-placed finish last campaign.

The Croatian international also drew plaudits for his displays at the World Cup and it appears he’s done enough to convince Wenger he’s got what ti takes to play for Arsenal as Goal are reporting today that the boss is eyeing a move for the defender as part of a double swoop on the Saints.

Lovren has reportedly handed in a transfer request to force his exit from St Mary’s this summer in search of Champions League football and it looks as though we’re going to offer him an escape route. However, we’re not the only club interested as widespread reports claim Liverpool have already seen an £20m bid turned down, so we’re facing some stiff competition to bring the player to the Emirates this summer.

The other player of interest to Wenger is midfielder Schneiderlin and after being linked with the French international in recent weeks, it looks as though the boss is finally ready to formalise his interest.

The 24-year-old was also a stand-out performer for the South Coast club last year and I think he would be the ideal long-term replacement for Mikel Arteta at Arsenal.

Arteta has been an excellent professional for us but there’s no denying his lack of pace caused us trouble last season, particularly in the bigger games, and Schneiderlin would give us the athletic presence we need to compliment the likes of Aaron Ramsey at the heart of midfield.

Whether €37.5m (£30m) is going to be enough to persuade the Saints to sell two more of their star players remains to be seen, but I suspect not when you consider the kind of money they’ve got for Adam Lallana and Luke Shaw this summer.

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If Liverpool have already seen a £20m bid for Lovren rejected, then our £30m offer only values Schneiderlin at £10m, which is highly unlikely to meet Southampton’s valuation. So while these two players would be great signings for the club, I think Wenger is going to have to dig a little deeper if he realistically wants to have a chance of luring them to north London this summer.