Arsene Wenger is trying desperately to strengthen his Arsenal squad in the transfer market.
Here’s his latest attempt.
According to reports from the UK this morning, Arsenal are chasing Swansea City’s Spanish striker Michu. With bids for Gonzalo Higuain, Wayne Rooney and Luis Suárez proving unsuccessful this summer, Wenger is now turning his attention to the silky Spaniard.
Michu, 27, cost Swansea just $3 million this time last year from Rayo Vallecano. He scored 18 goals in his opening Premier League season and dazzled fans with his trickery, deft flicks and incredible range of passing. He was the bargain of the season and if Arsenal do manage to sign him, Swansea will be making a handsome profit on a player that many soccer fans had never heard of 12 months ago.
But can Michu really solve all of Arsenal’s problems?
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Not disrespect to the lanky striker, known as “the student” in the Swansea locker room due to his scruffy and unkempt appearance, but after one breakout campaign in England’s top-flight is he ready to spearhead a Champions League bid?
Who knows. His style of quick passing and forward movement would fit in at the Emirates.
Whether or not Arsenal grab Michu, it shows that they’re now being a little more realistic with their transfer targets. Bidding for Suárez, Rooney and Higuain showed ambition, sure. But with Higuain preferring Napoli and potential deals for Suárez and Rooney looking dead in the water, Wenger has to lower his expectations.
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But $37.5 million for Michu is an awfully large sum of money. Swansea don’t want to sell him but with new signing Wilfried Bony impressing since his arrival, they could cope without Michu.
Time will tell if Arsenal make their first meaningful signing of the summer. September 2 is edging ever closer but the transfer window slamming shut shouldn’t make Arsenal panic. Wenger reflected his disappointment in the clubs transfer policy following Saturday’s shock defeat to Aston Villa.
“Why should I resist (spending)? I just defend the idea that you spend the money you have and not the money you don’t have” Wenger told Arsenal.com. “For years I did that. Today we have more so we can spend more. It’s as simple as that. Of course I am excited by that prospect but what I want to convince you of is that we are ready to spend the money if we feel that the players makes us a better team tomorrow morning.”
A top player will become available, they just have to bide their time. But now the clubs they’re buying from know Arsenal have plenty of money.
It will be hard for the Gunners to get any value from this transfer market.