Arsenal are on the hunt for a world-class centre-back as they attempt to rebuild for next season.
The current campaign isn’t even over yet, but conceding three goals in three consecutive games against Crystal Palace, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Leicester City has been chastening.
Getty
6
Arsenal’s Spanish head coach Unai Emery
The Gunners could yet finish in the top four but need to improve their backline with Shkodran Mustafi currently a figure of fun, while Laurent Koscielny is 33 years old and reaching the end of his top level career.
Given the club currently only have a small transfer budget for the summer, there will be sales with Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Mesut Ozil, and Mustafi possibly leaving for the right deal.
And, according to The Sun, Emery is looking at one of Harry Maguire, Toby Alderweireld, Kurt Zouma, and Djene Dakonam, although none would be bargains.
But what if there was some cheaper talent available? talkSPORT.com has scoured the globe and we reckon we might have five talented players who could cost a bit less than the names already in the frame, check them out below.
LATEST FOOTBALL STORIES
Ibrahima Konate (RB Leipzig)
Strong in the air and a master at keeping it simple, Konate is excelling the Bundesliga.
Arsenal have previously been reported to be looking at the Frenchman and it is unsurprising.
He could do with improving his passing but he still moves the ball forward well and wouldn’t cost as much as some of the Premier League stars linked.
6
Ibrahima Konate in action for RB Leipzig
Mario Hermoso (Espanyol)
Another player recently watched by the Gunners is the 23-year-old ex-Real Madrid centre-back. Reports in November suggested he was an option for Emery but nothing materialised in January.
His form this season earned him an international call-up back in November and he played against Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
He times his tackles well and is happy to get physical without giving a foul, which could come in handy in the Premier League.
6
Hermoso celebrates an Espanyol goal against Girona FC at Montilivi Stadium
Gianluca Mancini (Atalanta)
The composed Italian centre-back is another left-sided player, a requirement soon with Laurent Koscielny now 33 and approaching the end of a fine Emirates career.
Like Hermoso, he’s excellent at timing his challenges and at 6ft 3in he’s very capable aerially too.
He’s a huge Inter fan and wears the no.23 shirt in tribute to Marco Materazzi, he even had a tattoo of the ex-Everton centre-back when he was 16.
He’s also involved in namesake Roberto Mancini’s Italy squads at the moment thanks to his good form.
6
Gianluca Mancini in action against Liechtenstein during Italy’s 2020 UEFA European Championships group J qualifying match
Joachim Andersen (Sampdoria)
Staying in Serie A, Andersen has been linked with rivals Tottenham in recent months.
He’s a fine ball-player who already possesses excellent positioning and intelligence, especially when it come to reacting in under pressure scenarios.
Andersen can pass the ball forward with relative ease and will try and get his team on the front foot quickly, whether it’s from dead balls or open play.
6
Joachim Andersen in action for Sampdoria during a friendly with Fulham
Lisandro Martinez (Defensa Y Justicia)
A spritely young left-sided centre-back, Martinez would be a signing for the future. While some may baulk at his 5ft 9in height, the Argentine’s incredible technique with the ball at his feet makes him an attractive proposition in the modern game where centre-backs must be just as blessed with the ball as they are without it.
He’s got an excellent long range pass on him too if you’re looking for someone to spread the play. He’s can operate in a back-three or a back-four, and has also spent time at left-back, giving some versatility which would be welcomed at the Emirates.
Martinez, 21, also has one cap for Argentina as they look to youth, with Tottenham star Juan Foyth also a squad regular now.
6
Lisandro Martinez on international duty for Argentina
Manchester United fans are divided over who to back in Wednesday's Manchester derby, with one supporter telling talkSPORT he wants Man City to win and 'doesn't care if it's 8-0'! The Old Trafford faithful have been faced with the ultimate of dilemmas ahead of the clash - a win over City would boost their top-four…
Manchester derby: Man United fan tells talkSPORT he wants Man
Alexis Sanchez turns attention away from football to make acting debut in film talkSPORT 18:16 31-May-19. Manchester United news and transfers LIVE - Romelu
Alexis Saelemaekers #56 nyheter, statistikker, bilder
City secured the title after an emphatic neck-and-neck battle with Jurgen Klopp's side, which went down to the wire on Sunday. When City surged ahead in the race, Wolves fans visiting Anfield taunted the home side with the chant: "Raheem Sterling, he's top of the league."
Raheem Sterling relief after Manchester City win after being
preview.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/raheem-sterling-relief-after-manchester-city-win-after-being-mercilessly-booed-by-liverpool-fans-a6901961.html
Sport > Football > FA & League Cups Raheem Sterling relief after Manchester City win after being mercilessly booed by Liverpool fans. The England international's £49m move looks all the more justified after Capital Once Cup victory
Raheem Sterling jokes that nobody wants Liverpool to win the
Former Barcelona star Xavi Hernandez announced on Thursday that he's stepping away from football and ending one of the most illustrious careers in the sport.The Spanish legend, who led Al-Sadd to
Leeds United are eyeing a loan deal for Wolves winger Helder Costa. The 25-year-old has been at the club since August 2016, initially on loan from Benfica, before making it permanent in January
Leeds plot loan swoop for Wolves winger Helder Costa to aid
Mike Phelan first left the club in 2013 when David Moyes took over Mike Phelan has been confirmed as Manchester United's assistant manager on a three-year deal. The 56-year-old returned to United
Mike Phelan confirmed as Man Utd assistant manager
In the Premier League, in a 1-0 loss to his former club Manchester City, Sturridge came on as a substitute for striker Didier Drogba. He scored his second goal in the Champions League against Žilina, which Chelsea went on to win 2-1 at home. Later that season, he scored two right-footed goals against Ipswich Town.
'I hope Manchester City's season doesn't implode' - Stuart Pearce fears for Premier League title race after Champions League exit Thursday, 18 April 2019 Stuart Pearce has told talkSPORT he hopes Manchester City's season doesn't 'implode' after their dramatic Champions League quarter-final defeat to Tottenham.
Heung-min Son discovers Champions League ban for Tottenham's
gistjunction.com/2019/04/18/heung-min-son-discovers-champions-league-ban-for-tottenhams-semi-final-against-ajax-during-tv-interview/
Heung-min Son did not know he was banned from the first leg of Tottenham's Champions League semi-final against Ajax until he was informed during a TV interview.. In an incident which mirrors Geoff Shreeves' infamous conversation with Branislav Ivanovic after Chelsea made the 2012 Champions League Final, the interviewer asks Son how he feels about his suspension, to which the South Korean
Manchester City 4 : 0 Borussia M'gladbach - UEFA - One News
15:55 UPDATE: Man Utd and Real Madrid swap deal. Manchester United and Real Madrid could effectively trade Paul Pogba for Gareth Bale this summer, says Spanish football guru Paul Breen-Turner. "I think there's a little bit of poker going on and I think Gareth Bale will leave Real Madrid," Breen-Turner told talkSPORT.
Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal, Liverpool, Man Utd, Chelsea
Zahavi's lawyers demand apology over Stevens claims. Leicester City favourites to sign Arjen Robben on a free transfer when he leaves Bayern Munich after a flurry of bets placed with
Liverpool news: Dean Saunders shocked by Moussa Sissoko
No comments:
Post a Comment