In recent seasons, Arsenal are often leaving transfer business till the latter stages of the transfer window, with Mesut Ozil, Danny Welbeck and Per Mertersacker notable examples of deadline day deals. Yet, with one signing confirmed, another is on the brink.
It emerged on Friday night that Arsenal’s interest in Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy was progressing fast. AsBBC Sport reported, Arsenal triggered Vardy’s £20 million release clause and talks between the clubs have moved forward since.
The Evening Standard suggest Vardy has completed a medical this weekend and terms have been sealed with a £120,000 contract in the offing. Arsenal are key to wrap up the deal before he leaves for the Euros with England, so this transfer may be a question of when, not if.
It’s been a surreal year for Vardy with the sore to stardom breaking Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s Premier League record for consecutive scoring games, spearing Leicester City to a monumental Premier League title and now he heads to the European Championships with England. A move to one of England’s heavyweights would complete one of the great fairytale rises in sport and he would be a shrewd buy on Arsene Wenger’s behalf.
Leicester’s number seven scored almost as many as Olivier Giroud, Danny Welbeck and Theo Walcott combined last season but did create far more chances than any of them. Giroud is Arsenal’s most appeared striker and Vardy provides a different option to the Frenchman. His aggressive, high pressing and ruthless style would be a fresh approach to Arsenal’s play. He’s not only effective in a counter attacking team, with his pace and finishing ability, with the supply from Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and co. Vardy could not only replicate his Leicester heroics, but better it.
At 29-years-old, it’s not a buy for the future, like some may have expected from Wenger with links to Alvaro Morata and Romelu Lukaku. But, Arsene Wenger’s contract is up next year and comparisons to Sir Alex Ferguson’s purchase of 29 year-old Robin Van Persie in 2012, the previous season’s Golden Boot winner and PFA Player of the Year, have been drawn. If Wenger’s plan is to go out with one last Premier League title, then it’s clear he believes Vardy to be key to his aspirations.
Wenger has made it known over this season that he admires the Leicester striker, “Yes he is worth £30 million, because he is the best goal scorer in the league.” He’s called him a ‘killer’ and that’s exactly what Arsenal need in front of goal. Giroud went 15 games without a goal in 2016 and Vardy’s mentality and drive matched with his knack for goals will only improve Arsenal’s armoury.
As well as Vardy, Arsenal’s spending spree may not be finished in Germany with Ricardo Rodriguez hinting the possibility of a move away from Wolfsburg, according to 90min.com. The left back is on Switzerland duty and whilst talking to national newspaper Tagesanzeiger, he claimed him staying in Germany was, “not impossible, but unrealistic.” Since Arsenal signed national colleague Granit Xhaka, interest for Rodriguez and Rodriguez for Arsenal has climbed.
Furthermore, Borussia Dortmund’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been linked to Arsenal, or so say theInternational Business Times. The Armenian has one year left on his current deal and is said to prefer a move to Arsenal over London rivals Chelsea. With 19 goals and 25 assists last campaign, he’s caught the attention of many clubs across Europe and a move to Arsenal seems possible.
This may only happen if a player leaves and Arsenal aren’t short on midfielders, so one may make way. According to The Sun, Jack Wilshere is a surprise target for Manchester City as new coach Pep Guardiola starts his overhaul. A move sound unlikely but with the persuasion of Pep and Wilshere’s checkered career with Arsenal to date, it could start to progress only if the Mkhitaryan deal does.
story from http://tbrfootball.com/
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