Arsenal’s pursuit of a striker this summer is no secret. The club’s director Lord Harris recently spoke out about Wenger’s list of targets, which included a centre forward. In an interview with the Daily Mail, the 72-year-old had this to say:
“We get a list of the players that Wenger wants.” said Lord Harris.
“On the list is a centre forward, but I’m not going to tell you who he is. You’ve got to get the other team to want to sell him, but I think he wants to come. It basically comes down to whether the other team can find a superstar to replace him, because they don’t have to sell.”
“At the moment there are no plans to sign anyone, unless he finds a real superstar like Mesut Ozil or Alexis Sanchez. He’s looking for one of those but there aren’t many available.”
“We would back him to break the club’s transfer record. Apart from Messi and Ronaldo, he could have any player. We will probably have to break the club record to get the man he wants.”
It is now being reported that the north London club will launch a bid for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, and failing that, Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski.
The Gunners have already reportedly seen a bid of £31.3 million turned down for Benzema, a player Real Madrid see as one of their best, and one they are unwilling to sell.
Wenger remains interested in Benzema, a player who he has always identified as a top striker. But with Real Madrid’s reluctance to sell, it may be that the Gunners have to focus their attention on a back-up option, if you can call a striker such as Lewandowski such a thing.
The Polish international, who has set the Bundesliga alight with both Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich, has also attracted the attention of Manchester United. The hit-man could be available to buy, but Bayern insist on at least £45 million for their man.
If Arsenal really are ready to smash their transfer record, then the two strikers mentioned could really be an option. Arsenal haven’t been the same going forward since the departure of Robin van Persie, but either one of these stars could make the side into a real title-winning team.
Fernando Llorente is another man linked with a move to the Premier League. The striker has been on United’s radar also, and Wenger could also be interested if reports of £8 million being enough to prise the player away being true.
A ‘top Juventus source’ is apparently quoted as saying: “It’s Arsenal who’ve been in contact, not United. They have made an inquiry but there is no bid yet. But it is clear they are interested and it is also clear Juventus are ready to listen.” Make of it what you will.
[Quote via The Telegraph]