Arsenal appear to have put all their eggs in one controversial Uruguayan basket. Securing a striker of the highest quality has been a priority for Arsene Wenger throughout the transfer window but, with just one month before it slams shut it, is increasingly becoming a case of Luis Suarez or nothing. The Gunners’ determination to finally spend the money required to compete at the top has been there for all to see in bidding £40 million plus, of course, the now infamous £1. But, with Liverpool refusing to relent in their insistence that the Uruguay international will not be leaving, Arsenal now face an anxious wait for a resolution to a saga that looks set to go right to the wire.
In honing in on Suarez, Arsenal have now let alternatives go by the
wayside. Gonzalo Higuain and Stevan Jovetic were both targeted before
they eventually moved elsewhere, while rumored targets Christian Benteke
and Robert Lewandowski both look ensconced in their current
surroundings for the time being. That’s not to mention other significant
strikers like Edinson Cavani, Radamel Falcao, Alvaro Negredo and
Roberto Soldado who have also been snapped up elsewhere. Arsenal are
fast running out of other options should a deal for Suarez not come to
fruition. Here are four players that Wenger might still be considering.
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
It is likely that Wenger still has one eye fixed on Rooney’s still
uncertain situation at Old Trafford. The Arsenal boss has admitted he
would be interested, while chief executive Ivan Gazidis has insisted
that the club could afford the England international’s massive wages. So
far Arsenal have been happy to remain in the background with Chelsea
having had a bid of around £20 million rejected. Should there be any
indication that Manchester United are willing to negotiate then Arsenal
would surely make a firm move. But, with Rooney believed to be keen to
work with Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, Arsenal may struggle to persuade
the 27-year-old that his future would be better served at the Emirates.
Jackson Martinez (Porto)
Linked with a move to the Premier League last summer, the Colombia
international was in the end snapped up by Porto. And the Portuguese
side proved to have done yet another smart piece of business with
Jackson Martinez going on to finish the campaign as the top scorer in
the Portuguese Liga with 26 goals. Previously at Mexican side Chiapas,
the 26-year-old has shown an instinctive eye for goal, no better
illustrated than by his outstanding backheel goal against Sporting
Lisbon. While Porto are known for their superb scouting, they are
equally renowned for getting sky-high fees for their players. And that
will prove no different with Jackson Martinez with suitors Napoli being
asked to pay his €40 million (£34.9m) buyout clause. Despite his
qualities, Arsenal would be unwise to pay that fee and it is hard to see
them doing so.
Leandro Damiao (Internacional)
Could the perennial Tottenham target eventually wind up across North
London instead? In truth, it is highly unlikely. Internacional have
consistently priced the Brazil international out of a move and Wenger is
known for his refusal to pay more than what he considers to be a
player’s true value. Arsenal have been linked in the past, though, and
his is likely a name that will at least be considered. Still, it would
be a strange time to spend big on the 24-year-old. The top scorer in
last year’s Olympics has stagnated of late and was denied his chance to
make his mark on a big stage when injury ruled him out of the
Confederations Cup.
Pablo Osvaldo (Roma)
The Argentina-born Italy striker looks likely to leave Rome this summer
after a string of disciplinary issues both on and off the pitch. His
latest outburst after Roma lost the Coppa Italia final to bitter rivals
Lazio cost him a place in Italy’s squad for the Confederations Cup.
Those problems have overshadowed what he has done on the pitch,
including notching up 16 goals Serie A goals last season to finish as
the league’s third highest scorer. It has been suggested that Arsenal
could use Roma’s interest in Gervinho to secure Osvaldo. However, with
the former Espanyol man now aged 27 and not at the very top level of
strikers, Wenger is unlikely to overlook his issues the way he is
seemingly willing to do with Suarez.
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