Transfer Roundup: June 9th

Gonzalo Higuain, Ilkay Gundogan and Lars Bender

The Daily Mirror reported yesterday that Arsenal were planning three bids that would smash the clubs current transfer record.

Gonzalo Higuain, who has been subject to intense rumours surrounding Arsenal in the past few weeks, is one of the players mentioned by the newspaper and would be the player Arsene Wenger hopes to lead his team attack next season.

Higuain scored 16 goals last season, the second most of any Real Madrid players behind Ronaldo, and has undeniable scoring talent which Arsenal fans are craving for, following a mixed response to Olivier Giroud.

Another to be linked by the paper was Ilkay Gundogan, the scorer of Borussia Dortmund’s penalty equaliser in this year’s Champions League final and a key piece in Dortmund’s midfield.

The Germany international would cost around the £20 million mark, but following the departure of Dortmund’s Gotze the Bundesliga runners-up would be very reluctant to sell one of their stars.

If a bid for Gundogan fails, another defensive midfielder is on the North London clubs radar, for £20 million rated Lars Bender of Bayer Leverkusen.

Bender, praised for his hard tackling and concentration in matches, has been linked with Arsenal for a while now and it is thought that Wenger is very keen on bringing in the player to strengthen his midfield and defence.

Would these three signings be considered a successful summer? Add a tough centre back to the aforementioned trio and Arsenal would surely have the tool to challenge for a title.

Gervinho

Arsenal’s highly erratic Ivory Coast winger has struggled to settle at the North London club and is now starting to attract interest from various clubs.

Galatasaray are prepared to lodge a £12 million bid for the player in a hope to link the player up with fellow compatriots Didier Drogba and Emmanuel Eboue.

Signed in 2011 for £10.8 million, Wenger is ready to cash in on what has been a failed endeavour for the ex-Lille player, despite having his best year in an Arsenal shirt with seven goals in total.

It is thought that any funds acquired from the sale of Gervinho would go straight into Arsenal’s transfer kitty to spend on bringing in transfer targets.

The question is, does Arsenal promote another winger from within, such as Gnabry? Or does the club seek out a replacement on the transfer market?

Cesc Fabregas

The Fabregas transfer saga continues to rage on and this time it is Manchester United who have been dealt a crushing blow in their pursuit of the ex-Arsenal favourite.

It has reportedly been said that: “Like Thierry Henry, Fabregas has always said he would never play for any other English club.”

More light is being shed on United’s £40 million bid for the Barcelona player and their bid was only in response to Arsenal’s interest in Wayne Rooney.

Arsenal are clearly in pole position to bring Fabregas back to England considering the players’ personal relationship with Arsenal and also the transfer clauses Arsenal implemented into his contract.

Many Twitter “in the knows” are pointing to a big announcement from Arsenal next week and many are speculating that it may be related to Fabregas, so keep an eye out.