Arsene Wenger is running out of options to sign a top-quality forward. The Frenchman was in for Jamie Vardy but the English spectucularly rejected the Gunners' approach and signed a new contract. He was in for Gonzalo Higuain and then was extremely disappointed that news leaked to the press thereby ending his interest in the Napoli forward.
While he could still realistically sign someone like Alvaro Morata and Mauro Icardi, the two of them will cost the club a fortune – as will long-term target Julian Draxler valued at a shockingly high £55 million. The Frenchman is thus running out of strikers he can buy.
It's probably best then that he does what he's so famous for. Take a rough diamond, polish and convert them into world-class talents. He did it with Nicolas Anelka, Thierry Henry and some Persie bloke but in today's market, whom can he target to work his magic on?
We take a look at five of the best – and realistic – wingers in the market the Frenchman can target for the Gunners – and not neccesarily in this transfer window:
Marco Reus
Germany's most talented unluckiest player of the generation is also a fan of Arsenal – and former star Tomas Rosicky – but his fate with injuries could scare even someone like Arsene Wenger. Who would've thought?
Reus is a speedy winger capable of playing on either wing and one strong and confident in front of goal to really give Wenger some ideas. His blistering pace off the mark could especially be useful given the kind of creative players the Gunners have.
He's 27 and entering his prime years making him one of the best possible targets for Wenger to dive into. His injuries and lack of playing time in key matches could play in Arsenal's favour as Borussia Dortmund will demand a little lesser than the usual market value – which is ridiculously inflated right now.
Reus would right in at Arsenal with Per Mertesacker and Mesut Ozil already in the club. Wenger is a fluent speaker of German which could greatly help the former Borussia Monchengladbach man to settle faster.
Keita Balde
Keita Balde is a wanted man this summer. He's quick, young, can score goals and has attracted a lot of interest from Spanish giants Real Madrid. With Lazio, he scored excellent goals and contributed significant assists but couldn't stay consistent for the whole season.
At only 21, Keita has the world ahead of him and with the help of someone like Arsene Wenger – and the kind of team Arsenal have – could develop into a formidable weapon for both club and country. His youth and inexperience will yield a smaller price tag as well.
Whle Balde might not an instant hit with the team, he is certainly one for the future. His raw pace and finishing ability reminds me of Thierry Henry and we all know what happened there. No guarantees ofcourse but the chances of success with this youngster is quite high.
Julian Brandt
Julian Brandt is almost an unknown figure in world football. He's only 20 and hasn't impressed enough with Bayer Leverkusen to be highly sought-after in the transfer market. His stats, however, will show a different scene altogether. He's scored ten goals and assisted a further eight more for Leverkusen in fourty-four appearances for the club last season.
He's not the quickest player on the pitch but his willingness to dribble inside the box is always a threat to defenders. Much like Olivier Giroud in the current, he's good at playing the ball off of his teammates. A little one-two in the box with Mesut Ozil could potentially hurt the opposition so much.
If Balde was raw, Brandt is even more so and while he's had a proper education rising through the ranks in Germany – one of Europe's top youth countries – Brandt will take some time to settle into Arsenal's mix of pace, quick passing and off-the-ball movement.
He'll be cheap though. That ought to make Wenger smile.
Inaki Williams
The more we see Inaki Williams play, the more we're convinced he's a future striker. He's got the build, the pace and the confidence to torment defenders. His quick feet and dribbling ability is an added bonus and the fact that he's played in Spain for so long is a huge bonus for the Gunners.
Wenger loves players who have played in Spain – and France, of course – and he's only seemed more willing to invest in a player if he played in Spain simply because he doesn't need to start from scratch when he joins Arsenal.
A lot of Arsenal's 'big' players have played in Spain and Inaki would fit right in if we were to join Wenger's men. He's got all the right elements to adapt effortlessly into the Premier League. Arsenal might be a step up for the youngster no doubt but his potential is huge and if there's anyone who can fill him with confidence and ensure he's going on the right track, its Wenger.
Kevin Volland
Kevin Volland might be the least winger-y player on this list. He's played for his national team as a striker and is continously given the chance to play up top for Bayer Leverkusen as well. In that position, the 23-year-old scored a reasonable eight goals contributing seven assists.
Volland is clearly one for the future but his stint with injuries has continously curtailed his progress. At Bayer – for which the club paid a lot to acquire him – the German national has shown glimpses of what he's capable of when given the chance and the right service.
Volland is strong, quick enough and can score goals which makes his adaptation period in the Premier League a lot lesser than a host of the others on this list but while he may flourish, he may not be the best player for Arsenal. His technical level isn't quite high but Wenger could use someone who believes in a more direct appoach in front of goal which is why Volland is on this list.
