The January transfer window open and closed without many major impact moves outside of Stamford Bridge. While fans of the handful of teams in contention for a top four spot in the Premier League have expressed their disappointment, the endless list of terrible acquisitions made in that period over the years means it’s very possible that teams made the right decision by passing on the opportunity.
Arsenal was among the clubs that failed to make a major addition before the deadline and while they are still in contention for a Champions League spot, their hopes for a Premier League title appear sunk. As a result, some Gunners fans have already turned their attention to the summer transfer period and the players the club could potentially add.
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Morgan Schneiderlin – M (Southampton)
It wasn’t long ago that the Gunners raided the Saints to sign Calum Chambers and there have already been reports that Arsene Wenger is keen on acquiring Schneiderlin to bolster his midfield. However, Wenger also has to realize that he won’t be alone in his pursuit as there have already been rumors that Liverpool will be prepared to make a strong bid for Schneiderlin – if they miss out on their first choice target Radja Nainggolan. There should be at least a couple of other teams that make a strong push for his services over the summer.
Sami Khedira – M (Real Madrid)
A number of teams will line up for Khedira’s services and it will be interesting to see which club presents the best package in order to entice him to sign this summer. Khedira will get paid regardless of where he goes and Arsenal might be able to offer him the best package of money and situation with a chance to cement a role as an integral first-team midfielder for the Gunners.
Petr Cech – G (Chelsea)
The writing was on the wall for Cech’s exit from Stamford Bridge the moment the Blues brought in Thibaut Courtois to take over as the No. 1 goalie but the situation has become a lot more complicated over the past couple of weeks. Chelsea is committed to Courtois but they decided not to move Cech, and now there are reports Real Madrid is lining up a huge deal to try and acquire Courtois. There have been suggestions that the Gunners aren’t happy with Wojciech Szczesny or David Ospina and would love to have Cech take the starting job, but it will be a complicated situation depending on how things play out with Courtois this summer. First they wanted to let go of Cech. Now they might have to do their best to hang on to him.
Benedikt Howedes – D (FC Schalke 04)
The addition of Gabriel Paulista won’t keep Arsenal from targeting a top-flight defender in the offseason and it appears as though the Gunners and Manchester United could be bound for a bidding war for Howedes this summer. The World Cup winner is a versatile defender that is capable of moving around the pitch based on need and he would be an excellent fit on the back end for Arsenal.
Christoph Kramer – M (Borussia Munchengladbach)
Regardless of what happens with Schneiderlin and Khedira, Arsenal will be in the market for a potential replacement for Mikel Arteta and Kramer could make for an excellent fit. Currently on loan to Borussia Munchengladbach from Bayer Leverkusen, there were reports the Gunners had made a strong bid for Kramer back in December and while the move didn’t materialize then, that might not be the case if they make another play for him this summer.
Ilkay Gundogan – M (Borussia Dortmund)
Another name potentially linked to Arsenal is Gundogan and it wouldn’t be a surprise at all if the Gunners landed the Borussia Dortmund midfielder in addition to either Schneiderlin or Khedira. Wenger appears to be content right now with Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere, but rumors of Arsenal acquiring Gundogan continue to persist and while it might create a bit of a logjam, it’s the type of problem successful EPL teams tend to have.
