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The transfer window is not something Arsenal fans exactly enjoy, taking into consideration their poor form in recent seasons. Mismanagement has been the norm there, not least when it comes to managing player contracts.
The Gunners expected a top-four finish and given their ability, the Europa League trophy too for the 2018/19 campaign. Unfortunate injuries, inconsistency and questionable selection decisions from manager Unai Emery have all combined to see the final few months frustrate in multiple ways - succumbing to a 4-1 defeat by London rivals Chelsea in Baku while failing to make the top-four either.
Failure to qualify for Champions League football has proven an unwelcome blow for Arsenal, as rumoured transfer targets Samuel Umtiti (Barcelona) and Nicolas Pepe (Lille) would rather play elsewhere with UCL football guaranteed. Considering their budget constraints, it makes sense for them to look for cheap and quality options rather than spending big.
With the 2019/20 campaign set to start in a few months, the north Londoners' primary aim will be to assert themselves among the top four once more and to achieve this objective, quality reinforcements are necessary. Here are four players they should sign this summer.
#4, #3 Joachim Anderson and Dennis Praet (Sampdoria)
Arsenal's priority target this season has to be a ball-playing centre-back as well as a box-to-box midfielder to replace Aaron Ramsey's void. Sampdoria duo Joachim Anderson and Dennis Praet fit the bill perfectly and unsurprisingly, they have shown strong interest in the pair.
Emery is eager to bring in reinforcements to compete on multiple fronts next season and although the board have done any business yet, they are working efficiently and proactively according to reports.
Anderson is 23-years-old, a Danish international who plays as a centre-back. His style of play is what attracted Emery and his coaching staff, given the immense confidence and calmness he commands in possession. With an impressive 88.1% pass completion rate, he's known for his passing and suits Emery's play style nicely.
Meanwhile, club teammate Praet is a creative midfielder who loves to play in the number eight role - perfectly suited to replace Juventus-bound Ramsey. For a reported €20m (£15m), he represents a viable option and it makes sense for them to pursue the pair.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport transfer expert Nicolo Schira, Sampdoria have set a £49m price-tag for the pair after rejecting £43m last week. Whether they will finalise the deals remains to be seen.
#2 Alexis Claude-Maurice (Lorient FC)
With Danny Welbeck set to be released, Arsenal need to find a quality replacement for him to improve their squad depth and competition for places in attack. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette are unlikely to be used as a rotating pair up-top, given how deadly they have been as strike partners. With that in mind, Alexis Claude-Maurice appears like the perfect player to feature as their second-choice forward.
French news outlet Soccerlink have reported that offers continue to intensify for the Ligue 2 star. Arsenal themselves are said to have already offered a fee in the region of £8m with an improved bid in the offing, though West Ham, Lyon, AS Monaco, Lille and Borussia Monchengladbach are just a handful of sides also chasing the 21-year-old.
What makes him a worthy player to invest in, is his versatility to play in a range of different positions. Able to play as a centre-forward or on the flanks, he has also shown the capability to feature in a deeper creative role as the number ten - having netted 14 goals and creating four more this past season. Young and inexpensive, he would prove a welcome addition.
#1 Yannick Carrasco (Dalian Yifang)
According to various news sites, Arsenal are leading the race to sign winger Yannick Carrasco as the Belgian international appears set for a return to Europe. Given the lack of consistent wingers within their ranks, supporters seem thrilled by the prospect of Carrasco flourishing at the Emirates.
With the club's new Adidas kits set to be released on July 1, it's likely that one of their new acquisitions would feature in their new kit too. Carrasco appears to be the most likely option - a reported transfer fee between £25-30m is in the offing.
However, according to German news outlet BILD, Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich will turn their attention to the Belgian should talks with Manchester City regarding Leroy Sane fail to materialise. So naturally, the Gunners need to speed up talks with his Chinese side Dalian Yifang should their interest in the 25-year-old be more than just speculation.
