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In a month’s time, the winter transfer window will dawn upon us. With the option of adding reinforcements, one can expect the transfer market to be as active as ever.
While the January transfer window doesn’t always provide the big-name transfers that its summer counterpart does, it still accords the teams an opportunity to go shopping and iron out flaws that might have surfaced in the first half of the season.
Last season, the world saw numerous high-profile transfers take place in the first month of the year. Coutinho swapped Anfield for the Camp Nou, while Van Dijk completed his long-awaited move to the red half of Merseyside.
Moreover, Arsenal, a club often accused of being passive in the market, pushed two deals over the line. While one involved a Sanchez-Mkhitaryan swap with Manchester United, the other saw the Gunners smash their transfer record to bring the enigmatic Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on board.
With Arsenal firing on all cylinders currently, one could forgive them for not dipping into the market this time around. However, in Emery, they have a manager who is proactive in the market. Not one to miss out on a potential game-changer, the Spaniard would surely want to strengthen his squad in the winter.
Thus, through this article, we would look at 3 such players that Emery could eye in January to bolster his side’s top four ambitions. Here is a look at them.
#3 Cristian Pavon (Boca Juniors)
The Argentine starlet plies his trade for arguably the land’s biggest club, Boca Juniors. Having been on Boca’s books since 2014, Pavon has recently started to deliver on his immense promise.
The Argentine made the national squad for the World Cup in the summer. Though Argentina enjoyed a sub-standard campaign, the starlet impressed whenever he was called upon.
Blessed with the ability to dazzle past defenders, Pavon is a direct winger who is equally adept at cutting inside or going on the outside.
Pavon is a mazy runner with the ball and prides himself on getting out of tight situations. Moreover, he isn’t afraid to shoot from distance, thus providing a different dimension to the Gunners’ attack. While his finishing still needs to improve, others facets of his gameplay make him a perfect fit for the Gunners.
Arsenal lacks a genuine winger in their squad currently. Though Iwobi has impressed this season, the lack of goals and impetus from Mkhitaryan has led the Gunners to turn their attention elsewhere.
At 22 years of age, Pavon would represent a long-term option. While the step up from the Argentine league to the Premier League would be huge, the Argentine has shown enough talent to make the move worthwhile.
Arsenal have been sumptuous while attacking this season. Yet, with Pavon in the mix, the Gunners would pose a different set of questions altogether for the opposition. Hence, the club hierarchy should pull out all the stops to make Pavon a Gunner, come the end of January.
#2 Eric Bailly (Manchester United)
Eric Bailly arrived in English football in the summer of 2016 when signed from Villareal. The Ivorian enjoyed a fruitful season with the Yellow Submarine, thus earning a deserved move to the Theatre of Dreams.
Bailly was impressive in his first season as he quickly established himself as the first-choice center back. At the start of his career, he represented a tough and rugged defender who fitted into Mourinho’s philosophy like a glove.
However, subsequent injuries and a loss of form and confidence have led to the Ivorian falling out of favour with the Portuguese. While Bailly may not have set the world ablaze this term, his traits make him an ideal fit for Arsenal.
Bailly boasts of rapid pace, a rare commodity in defenders. Though he is prone to the odd mistake, his pace helps him overcome tricky situations. With Emery intent on playing a high line, Bailly would slot perfectly into his defense, with his pace distinguishing him from the other defenders.
Prizing Eric Bailly away from Manchester United would represent the most difficult of deals yet there is enough evidence to suggest that Arsenal should burn the midnight oil to make it happen.
If Jose actually gives Bailly the green light to sign for one of United’s top four competitors is another matter altogether. Although the deal seems the unlikeliest of the three, it could represent the shrewdest of them all.
#1 Denis Suarez (FC Barcelona)
Denis Suarez is a Spanish midfielder who plays for FC Barcelona currently. Having once donned the Manchester City jersey, the Spaniard is well versed with the physicality the Premier League has to offer.
Playing for no less than three clubs since leaving City, Suarez has found it hard to translate his enormous talent into performances.
During his Villareal stint, many felt that he had turned a corner. Yet, his return to Barcelona has thrust him into the wilderness again.
In the 2018-19 season, the Spaniard has amassed a grand total of 100 minutes on the pitch. With Valverde’s refusal to accord him an opportunity, the appeal of moving to North London to work with Emery would surely appeal to the 24-year-old.
The pair has worked in the past while Emery was in charge of Sevilla. Suarez enjoyed a solid season then and is still valued highly by his compatriot.
The midfielder prides himself on transitioning quickly from defense to attack. Moreover, he isn’t shy of running at the defense and causing them problems with his dribbling. However, the most impressive trait of his could yet be his work-rate.
Arsenal have lacked pure work-horses in the middle of the park for years. With Torreria having arrived in the summer, the prospect of Torreira and Suarez together would represent one of the most energetic pairings in the league.
His attributes, coupled with Ramsey’s imminent departure, earmark Suarez as a potential transfer target.
Now all eyes turn to Emery and the Arsenal board to go all out and turn this possibility into reality.
