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With Arsene Wenger set to depart this summer, the upcoming transfer window has attracted extra attention from the Arsenal fan base. The excitement for Wenger's successor to be announced is increasing with each passing day and also the anticipation for the players that the new man in charge will sign.
Arsenal has been linked with numerous players and managers day in day out for the past few weeks. Some rumours raise eyebrows, some seem realistic while some are there just for the sake of it. In this segment, we will take a look a look at all the major advancements that happen in the transfer world concerning Arsenal.
So without further ado, let's take a look at the transfer reports featuring Arsenal that made headlines on May 14:
Arsenal target Kalidou Koulibaly
The Gunners are in a dire need of a defensive overhaul this summer. Arsenal conceded 51 league goals this season and sorting out the defence will be a huge task for the new manager.
Express has reported that Arsenal have identified Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly as a potential solution to their centre-back woes. Koulibaly is one of the best central defenders in Italy at the moment and will be an upgrade on all the defenders currently at the club.
The Senegalese international has a contract with Napoli until 2021 and is valued at £53 million by his club. But with Per Mertesacker retiring and Laurent Koscielny out for months, Arsenal must invest heavily to rope in a quality centre back.
Pep Guardiola gives his blessing to Mikel Arteta
Arsene Wenger has managed his last game for the club and now the hunt to name his successor will surely intensify. It is widely believed that Arsenal are looking to appoint a young manager for the long term who can build a new Arsenal side for the coming years.
In the past few days, Mikel Arteta, the former Arsenal midfielder and the current right-hand man to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, has emerged as the front-runner to replace Wenger. And now, Guardiola himself has responded to the rumours.
He was quoted by the Metro as saying, "I want the best for my friends and he is a friend of mine. Arteta's contribution to this season was amazing. If he decides to go, I will be so sad, but I will understand his decision, because it’s his career, his life, his family. And I am not the right guy to say you don’t have to do that."
Arsenal favourites to sign Sokratis Papastathopoulos
Kicker has tipped Arsenal to sign Borussia Dortmund defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos this summer. It is believed that the talks over a new deal between the player and the club have broken down which has prompted the Greek centre back to look for a new club.
Arsenal have long been linked with Sokratis and may finally make the move in the summer. He is valued in the range of €15-20 million. The Gunners have taken a liking for Dortmund players in the recent past as Sokratis may join his former teammates Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang at the Emirates.
