Arsenal's top five transfer targets this summer

Arsenal Unveil New Head Coach Unai Emery
Unai Emery is determined to craft a squad of his own, not Wenger's.

Unai Emery was quick to act after being appointed Arsenal boss in May and has already signed a handful of players for the Gunners - Stephan Lichtsteiner, Sokratis, Bernd Leno, Matteo Guendouzi and Lucas Torreira. But will this be enough for them ahead of the upcoming Premier League campaign?

While these five signings will surely serve to bolster the squad, there are still some areas that need to be strengthened before the window closes. Emery must be aware of this fact as more players are linked to the Emirates on a daily basis.

With that in mind, here are the top five players Emery is rumoured to have his sights set on for the remainder of this summer market:


#5 Andre Gomes

FC Barcelona v Sampdoria: Joan Gamper Trophy
Andre Gomes signed for Barcelona in
2016,
but has struggled to meet expectations

Following the departure of Jack Wilshere, and soon potentially Aaron Ramsey, Unai Emery is now desperate to plug the gaps in Arsenal's midfield, deeming Barcelona's Andre Gomes the perfect man to do so.

According to the Independent, Unai Emery is willing to sanction the sales of other players in order to bring in the Portuguese midfielder. This plan might be forced into action if Emery is serious about bringing Gomes in, as Barcelona will demand a fee of around £30m.

How might Andre Gomes fit into the current Arsenal squad?

Andre Gomes is a dynamic midfielder who can be utilised as a defensive option or equally, an attacking one. He has the vision to pick out a splendid pass, in much the same style as Mesut Özil, whilst constantly being aware of his position on the pitch, ensuring that the opposition do not catch him unguarded.

With several Spanish-speaking players already at Arsenal, Gomes could seamlessly integrate with the rest of the squad off the pitch, and build up a solid chemistry with his team-mates on it.

Rumour probability: 8.5/10

Gomes could very well be destined for the Premier League after he recently revealed that his time thus far at Catalunya has been "hell" (via the Express). He struggles to get any real amount of regular first-team minutes at Barcelona, and with competition as fierce as it is, his challenge might only get harder.

"I don't feel good on the pitch," Gomes said. "I am not enjoying what I am doing. The first six months were pretty good but then things changed."

If these aren't the words of an unhappy player looking to leave, then I don't know what are.


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#4 Steven N'Zonzi

Sevilla FC v Istanbul Basaksehir F.K. - UEFA Champions League Qualifying Play-Offs Round: Second Leg
Steven N'Zonzi has impressed since moving to La Liga.

Arsenal have been linked with N'Zonzi for some time now, but it has only been this summer that the club initiated talks. This might be due to the "hands-on" nature of Unai Emery, who appears not to waste any time in hunting down the players he wants to bring in. Wenger had a reputation for delaying transfer proceedings to the last minute, which would often cost the club dearly by the time the season started.

How might Steven N'Zonzi fit into the current Arsenal squad?

N'Zonzi would cover similar aspects in his role as midfielder as Andre Gomes, but the Frenchman is more inclined to play as a defensive midfielder, which is an area Arsenal need to improve. Granit Xhaka is currently the first-choice in that position, but the Swiss international has underperformed in recent months and some supporters have already begun to lose faith in his ability.

Rumour probability: 7/10

Unai Emery has previously worked with N'Zonzi during his time at Sevilla, which might be pivotal in persuading the 29-year-old to come to London.

Also, N'Zonzi already has Premier League experience, having enjoyed spells at Blackburn and Stoke before leaving for Sevilla in 2015. So should he join Arsenal, the transition could be a lot smoother for him than someone else who is unaware of the Premier League's frenetic pace.

#3 Cristian Pavon

Boca Juniors v Chacarita - Superliga 2017/18
Pavon currently plays for Boca Juniors in his native Argentina.

Cristian Pavon turned heads during this summer's World Cup. His individual performances for Argentina were a delight, only dampened slightly by the poor form of the players around him. According to the Express, Emery has shown great interest in the young Argentine, wanting to bring him to the Emirates as soon as possible.

Pavon even had the chance to play alongside Lionel Messi in the tournament, who had this to say about the 22-year-old: "I have found a new partner in Pavon. He's a really good player."

How might Cristian Pavon fit into the current Arsenal squad?

Pavon is a quick, agile winger with the ability to weave in and out of defenders with ease. He would add an extra dimension to Arsenal's rather stale attacking force, which was weakened considerably following Alexis Sanchez's departure in January.

With the likes of Aubameyang and Lacazette up front for the Gunners, having a player like Pavon in the team to provide the pair with chances would be ideal. We know from Liverpool's attacking front three of Salah, Mane and Firmino, just how deadly that combination can be - Arsenal would do well to try and adopt a similar system for next season.

Rumour probability: 6/10

Arsenal will have to compete with Barcelona for Pavon's signature, but both teams will have their work cut out as Boca Juniors have offered the 22-year-old a new deal which would see his release clause get hiked up to £37.5m. Ultimately, the potential move depends on whether Pavon wishes to remain in Argentina or take the next step in his career - to a European side where he can develop at an elite level.

#2 Benjamin Pavard

France v Argentina: Round of 16 - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
Pavard, here against Argentina, has impressed for France in the World Cup

Before the World Cup, Benjamin Pavard was a just another young right-back with potential, but now, following a string of excellent performances on the world stage, he has become one of the most sought-after defenders in the transfer market.

Calcio Insider has reported that Pavard is very keen on playing at the Emirates next season, with the big incentive being the opportunity to play under Unai Emery.

How might Benjamin Pavard fit into the current Arsenal squad?

It is no secret that Arsenal's defence could do with some improvement, especially where full-backs are concerned. Currently at right-back is Hector Bellerin, who was a set-in-stone starter for Arsenal at the beginning of last year, but his fluctuating form has left Emery unsure about the Spaniard.

Pavard has played as a centre-back for Stuttgart in the Bundesliga, where he has been able to prove his versatility by excelling in the role. This is just the type of player Emery would be after for his side, especially now that Shkodran Mustafi's long-term future at the club appears increasingly uncertain.

It is worth noting that Lichtsteiner was signed by Emery too a few weeks ago, so if Pavard is bought, he would likely play at centre-back for the Gunners.

Rumour probability: 7.5/10

One of the biggest issues Arsenal have right now is lack of funds. Having spent virtually all of their budget on the five signings mentioned at the start of this post, scrambling together enough cash to bring in a player of Pavard's standard would be a very difficult task. But, with several high-profile players set for the exit door, Emery is likely to raise the cash in time.

#1 Ante Rebic

Argentina v Croatia: Group D - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
Ante Rebic celebrating his goal against Argentina in the World Cup.

Ante Rebic is yet another player who has entered the World Cup as a mediocre footballer and come out as the next big thing. His performances for Croatia in the tournament have been superb, and he has been viewed as a large factor behind why Croatia have progressed through into the final.

Rebic currently plays for Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga, featuring 49 times since joining in 2016, scoring eight and assisting four.

How might Ante Rebic fit into the current Arsenal squad?

Ante Rebic is able to double-up as a winger and a striker, which could be very useful for a team like Arsenal who lack that type of player. He has even been played in the attacking midfield role a few times by Frankfurt, showing he can provide a threat from a variety of attacking positions.

It is unlikely that Rebic would challenge Lacazette nor Aubameyang for a spot up-front, but could be utilised heavily by Emery as an attacking winger - especially as Arsenal do have a shortage of those within the first-team squad.

Rumour probability: 4/10

According to German publication Bild, Arsenal are to compete with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur for the 24-year-old's signature. However as Rebic is reportedly valued at £44m, Arsenal could be put off by his high price and look toward other targets given how much they've already spent this summer.

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