Ex-Arsenal centre-back William Gallas says his former club need to make at least five new signings during the summer transfer window.
The Frenchman says a centre-back should be a top priority, but there are four other positions he would like the Gunners to strengthen in the coming weeks and months:
“I think Arsenal need to sign an experienced centre-back. I’ve said this many times: Arsenal needed to sign one experienced centre-back just in case one of Gabriel or Saliba got injured, which unfortunately happened. I think Arsenal need to add a different type of striker too.”
“I think that Arsenal could look at adding one more midfielder, but before they do that, they should think about adding a good right back, a good left back – players that know how to defend. They need a centre-back. Arsenal can’t go into next season without adding an experienced centre-back because if one of (William) Saliba or Gabriel (Magalhaes) gets injured, they are in trouble.”
At the moment, it appears bringing in a midfielder is the number one focus for manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu.
A bid for West Ham’s Declan Rice is reportedly in the works, whilst Arsenal have three alternatives lined up if they are priced out of a move for the England international.
Arsenal are targeting other positions too
In terms of centre-halves, RB Leipzig’s Mohamed Simakan, Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, Dinamo Zagreb’s Josip Sutalo and Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba are being monitored.
When it comes to fullbacks, the likes of Real Valladolid’s Ivan Fresneda, Wolfsburg’s Ridle Baku and Ajax’s Devyne Rencsh have been mentioned as potential targets for the right flank.
There have been fewer links to left-backs, despite the fact that Kieran Tierney has been widely tipped to leave the Emirates. Manchester City’s Joao Cancelo has been suggested as an option, although his £60m price tag could be a problem.
Striker-wise, Torino’s Antonio Sanabria has been linked, along with the likes of Ajax’s Mohammed Kudus and Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams.
