Arsenal: Arsene Wenger’s January Transfer Targets - Reina, Samper, Lukaku, Mertesacker (Part 2)
Romelu Lukaku
The (6ft 3in) Anderlecht striker, Romelu Lukaku's agent has confirmed interest from “The Gunners” in his client, but has denied that any formal bid has been received from Arsene Wenger for the Belgian starlet. The Belgian striker
is one of the most sought after young players in world football and lot of big clubs have been linked with him.
The 17 year old is currently also being chased by the likes of Real Madrid, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspurs and if the bidding war starts, Arsenal is sure to miss out as they cannot compete with the financial muscle of Roman Abramovich’s Chelsea and European
giants Real Madrid.
The teenage sensation already been dubbed as the new Didier Drogba. Knowing this, the Belgian club has put a £20m price tag on their young striker.
Wenger is said to be taking keen interest in Lukaku and his brother Jordan, who also plays in the Anderlecht youth setup. He will be hoping to persuade the striker to join the Gunners, but he knows that Jose Mourinho is also trying
to take him to Los Blancos.
Lukaku’s agent Christophe Henrotay said: “Many clubs are interested and the decision is not easy. It’s necessary to find the best option and that’s not just about the financial issue.
Lukaku and his father, Roger, a former professional football player, have stated that he will not be leaving until next summer at the earliest; he is currently finishing his studies.
He is more inclined to give the youngster a chance and to throw starlets in at the deep end to see if they sink or swim. If the Belgian star moves to Real Madrid it will not be in his best interest as it will only hold the Anderlecht
star back; there is a lot of competition in Jose Mourinho’s side and that will make Lukaku’s chances of first team football next to impossible. Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are more likely to capture the powerfully built front man and links to both clubs
seem tentative at best.
Per Mertesacker
Arsenal is also looking to sign Werder Bremen giant Per Mertesacker in January. The German defender has been on Wenger’s radar for quite some time and the Gunners boss looks at the hugely experienced centre back as an ideal candidate
to steady his defence.
The (6ft 6in), 26 year old defender has already accomplished 69 international caps. He is regarded as one of the most consistent performers in Europe and may well be looking for a new challenge after four great years at Bremen
and the success of a January move could be linked with his side’s performance in the Bundesliga.
Thomas Schaaf’s side is currently in the mid-table, after an average start to the season and only managed two points from their opening three games in their Champions League campaign. A move for the German will cost the Gunners
side around £14m, but it will be a great investment in Arsenal’s defence. Since the departure of experienced defenders, Sol Campbell and Kolo Toure, Wenger’s side looks vulnerable in defence. In this season their defensive record is not good, having managed
just two clean sheets in the Premier League this season.
Bottom-line
History suggests that when it comes to spending big money, Arsene Wenger does not fit in the category; either his hands are tied due to lack of funds available to him or he just does not believe that any player is worth that much
money, and spending £20m on the 17 year old is too much to ask from the Gunners boss.
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