Four Premier League games to go and the FA Cup final. The season is almost over and we have an idea of what we need next season. So does Arsene Wenger, supposedly, and there’s big changes in the market with the latest reports.
Arsenal Cleared To Sign World Cup Winner Benedikt Howedes (Die Welt)
Arsenal have been given the green light to sign World Cup winning defender and Schalke captain Benedikt Howedes, as Horst Heldt stated over the weekend the player is set to leave the Bundesliga outfit. His specific words were:
It’s no secret that Benedikt Höwedes has the ability to get through an exit clause in his contract,’
‘He has not yet decided, but he will do it safely in a timely manner.’
That has led reports in England to jump on the bandwagon, stating Arsenal’s interest once again- but signing a defender would go completely against Wenger’s latest comments regarding the future of Calum Chambers, which we reported earlier today.
Schalke Confirm Khedira Interest (Goal)
Sticking with the Schalke theme, Horst Heldt confirmed interest in long-term Gunners target Sami Khedira over the weekend- with the German international confirming earlier this season that he would leave Los Blancos at the end of the season.
Chelsea & Manchester United are also said to be interested in Khedira- whilst it seems Arsenal’s interest in the midfielder has cooled in recent months but it could heat up again as we approach the opening of the window. After all, Wenger likes to keep deals silent.
Henry Says Arsenal Need THREE Top Strikers (Sun)
Thierry Henry has spoken out regarding Arsenal once again and, although not slamming Olivier Giroud like he did previously, he’s risking creating an angry mob. To be fair to him though, he does seem to have a point.
Pointing to the fact that during his time as king of Highbury he had Nwankwo Kanu, Sylvain Wiltord, Davor Suker and Dennis Bergkamp, he says Arsenal need similar. That’s all very well- but have times changed?
Look at the big, successful teams; Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Real Madrid etc. Their forward line pretty much selects itself and although Javier Hernandez has been playing recently for Real Madrid, I wouldn’t class him as a ‘top’ striker.
Arsenal Miss Out In Dybala Chase (Various)
If Arsenal are in-for strikers this summer then a change of action may be required. Palermo striker Paulo Dybala, a reported target for the Gunners, is now reported to be on the verge of a deal with Juventus- as per various reports in Italy that include Sky Italia, Di Marzio & Mediaset.
21-year-old Dybala is a fine, fine talent but it’s been pretty clear from the start that Arsenal would have trouble securing him. After all, the club president himself stated he would prefer to see the player remain in Italy to continue his development.
Let’s just keep everything crossed for Alexandre Lacazette.