Both Manchester City and Arsenal have endured pretty disappointing seasons.
After bringing in one of the world’s best coaches in Pep Guardiola, Manchester City fans were probably not expecting their side to crash out in the last 16 of the Champions League, fade out of the title picture and not reach the final of either of the domestic cups.
Arsenal also didn’t mount a serious title challenge and were bulldozed by Bayern in the Champions League last 16.
They have a shot at the FA Cup but seem likely to miss out on Champions League qualification for the first time since the 1998/99 season.
Both clubs will be looking to make some changes in the summer in a bid to bolster their ranks.
We take a look at three players each club should be taking a look at once the summer transfer business gets underway.
Manchester City
1. Jose Gaya
City desperately need to refresh their defence, particularly the full-backs and the goalkeeper.
They should be considering Spanish left-back Jose Gaya from Valencia, a player who has shone brightly despite Los Che’s struggles this season.
The 21-year-old is a great passer, good going forward and a strong tackler. He is very much in the Guardiola mould and despite signing a five-year contract in 2015, he may be available for €50 million.
For a club like City that is not a ridiculous price and if he fills the left-back position for the next decade, it could be money well spent.
2. Ederson Moraes
Regarding goalkeepers, Pep’s signing of Claudio Bravo has not gone well, and City will likely look for another option.
One potential signing could be Ederson Moraes; Benfica’s Brazilian goalkeeper is only 23 and has been a standout player for them this season.
He has Champions League experience and even managed to displace the highly-rated Julio Cesar in Benfica’s side. Guardiola has apparently already spoken to Ederson over the phone, and a deal could be struck for around €37 million.
Fábio Henrique Tavares
Finally, it’s probable that Guardiola will want to invest in the middle of the park with the current options not getting any younger.
City could perhaps consider Monaco’s Fábio Henrique Tavares commonly known as Fabinho, who started as Monaco knocked City out of the Champions League a while back.
The 22-year-old Brazilian would give City dynamism, aggression and allow the more attacking players to worry less about defensive responsibilities.
Arsenal
1. Virgil Van Dijk
Like City, Arsenal also need to strengthen their defence starting with finding a partner for Laurent Koscielny.
Despite the insistence to the contrary of his manager, it seems that Southampton’s Dutch central defender Virgil Van Dijk will be on the move this summer.
Powerful, quick and with a good footballing brain Wenger should be taking a look at the 25-year-old even if he would cost around £50 million.
2. Timo Werner
In addition, Arsenal are still searching for a striker who can get them 20-25 goals a season. With Wenger often looking for a bargain, perhaps he should consider RB Leipzig’s 21-year-old German striker Timo Werner who has scored 19 goals in 30 Bundesliga games this season.
Leipzig would want a considerable amount, well over the €10 million they paid Stuttgart for him last summer. However good strikers cost a lot, and Werner would be cheaper than established superstars like Dybala or Aubameyang.
3. Emil Forsberg
Arsenal’s helmsman will have to find a replacement for his unsettled star Alexis Sanchez. Alongside Timo Werner, Emil Forsberg has stood out for RB Leipzig this season.
The 25-year-old Swedish winger has been superb in his first season in the German top tier. He can play on the flanks or behind the striker and has 16 assists and 8 goals this season.
Arsenal would likely have to pay a fee in the region of £20 million for his services and a bargain (by this markets standards) like that is not to be missed.
