Arsenal missed the opportunity of getting back into the Champions League after their horrendous form during the business end of the previous campaign and therefore, they will have to operate on a tight budget in the ongoing transfer window.
It has been reported that Unai Emery has around £45million to invest and it goes without saying that the Spaniard will have an eye on players whose contracts are due to expire this summer.
Here are three proven Premier League free agents Emery should consider signing to beef up his ranks.
Gary Cahill
Cahill moved to Stamford Bridge during the January transfer window of 2012 and there is no denying that he has been one of the best servants for the Blues ever since his arrival.
Signed from Bolton Wanderers for £7million, the central defender helped Chelsea in winning the Champions League once, two Europa League titles, two Premier League silverware, two FA Cups and one League Cup.
Emery’s backline is currently crying out for a leader and Cahill could well cater to the role. The 33-year-old still has a year or two of top-level football left to offer and could inject a winning mentality into Arsenal’s ranks.
Adrian
Following Petr Cech’s retirement and uncertainty over David Ospina’s future at the Emirates Stadium, Emery would be left with just Bernd Leno as a senior custodian to be stationed between the sticks.
Impliedly, Emery would need to acquire a proven goalkeeper if Ospina eventually leaves. Intriguingly, Adrian is set to exit West Ham United at the end of this month and he could be a decent option for the backup goalkeeper’s role for Emery.
He is accustomed to the Premier League, having made 150 appearances for the Hammers. The 32-year-old Spaniard is far from being an obsolete asset and would be a shrewd addition to the north London outfit.
Daniel Sturridge
Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang might have whipped up stupendous chemistry together but with another long season up ahead, they need depth in attack.
In such a scenario, it would be wise on Arsenal’s part to consider signing Sturridge. After six years at Liverpool, he is due to leave the club this summer and needs to start afresh to make his presence felt once again.
The Englishman would be a cost-effective acquisition for Arsenal. He is certainly a clinical goal scorer and if he regains his form and fitness, he could mount a serious challenge for a place in Emery’s starting lineup.
