Arsenal could look to the free agent market for a top new signing this summer.placeholder image
Arsenal could look to the free agent market for a top new signing this summer. | Getty Images
Arsenal should look to the free agent market to sign a top player this summer - he has a lot to offer
Premier League leaders Arsenal have built a strong squad under Mikel Arteta and will be looking to improve their ranks further this summer transfer window.
The Gunners will hope to have a trophy or two in their arms by then but will feel that improvement is required regardless, as winning teams cannot stand still or they will be overtaken by bigger-spending rivals.
Arteta’s side can still win up to four trophies this season and will face serious questions if they end the campaign without silverware – particularly if they fail to secure the league title after leading the table for much of the season. The north London side currently lack trophy-winning experience and if things were to go wrong for them this term, their shortcomings in that department will become even more glaring. An ideal summer signing to rectify this issue could be available for nothing at all – and they should jump at this chance.
Arsenal targeting Leon Goretzka - and should push to secure a deal
Experienced Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka sees his contract at the Allianz expire this summer and with it already confirmed that the Germany international will leave the Bundesliga champions at the end of the season, a battle has begun to ensue for his signature.
Bayern said in a club statement on January 30: “FC Bayern and Leon Goretzka have decided after good and open talks not to extend the player’s contract, which expires in the summer. The Germany international has been in Munich since 2018 and has enjoyed eight years of success and impressive performances. The 30-year-old will give his all to win further titles with the team this season.”
Multiple Premier League sides have been linked with Goretzka, including Manchester United and Arsenal’s north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur – but the Gunners are currently leading the race as per recent reports.
Goretzka would add valuable experience to the Arsenal squad
Arsenal have seen their squad grow together under Arteta but the majority of their key players are still fairly young, all things considered – and with exception to the likes of Gabriel Jesus, there is a clear lack of major trophy-winning experience currently at the Emirates.
It is clear, therefore, what the signing of Goretzka would offer to the club both on and off the pitch. The 31-year-old has won six Bundesliga titles and the Champions League with Bayern, among other honours, and has 67 Germany caps to his name with several major tournaments under his belt.
Despite his pending departure and the emergence of younger players such as Aleksandr Pavlovic, Goretzka remains a key squad player for Vincent Kompany’s side and could take up a similar leadership role at the Emirates. He has made 33 appearances this season, registering two goals and one assist, and has earnt rave reviews for his box-to-box qualities across his glittering career.
The Gunners lack a huge amount of cover in central midfield at present, with star man Declan Rice hardly missing a minute and Mikel Merino currently out injured. Goretzka could arrive in north London to compete with the pair and could form a solid partnership with the likes of Rice or Martin Zubimendi, offering Arsenal’s creative players even more license to go forward and cause havoc. He might demand significant wages but on a free transfer, this move would make a lot of sense for all parties.
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