Lars Bender (Bayer Leverkusen)
Age: 25
The German international (right, closing in on Adam Lallana), who has scored four goals in his 17 appearances for his country, has been a long-term Arsenal target. The midfielder's twin brother, Sven, plays for Borussia Dortmund.
Javi Martínez (Bayern Munich)
Age: 25
A defensive midfielder or centre back, the Spaniard (right) has 15 caps for his country and is highly rated in his homeland, though Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola has used Martínez sparingly this season.
Wilfried Bony (Swansea)
Age: 25
A fantastic first season for Swansea, following a switch from Dutch club Vitesse, has raised the eyebrows of many. The Côte d'Ivoire striker, who has eight goals in 23 internationals, has been able to find the back of the net 16 times for the South Wales club.
Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
Age: 26
Another player who Wenger has long admired. The French striker, who has netted 19 goals in 65 internationals for Les Bleus, has been at Real Madrid since 2009 and has become a key player there. But Arsenal think they might be able to tempt him to leave the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
Mario Mandžukić (Bayern Munich)
Age: 27
A star performer for Croatia (he has scored 13 times in 48 appearances), the former VfL Wolfsburg striker has failed to wholly convince Pep Guardiola of his undoubted talents. Wenger spies a player he could revitalise.
Calum Chambers (Southampton)
Age: 19
An England Under-19 international, the teenage right back has already made over 20 first-team appearances for Southampton, where he came through the academy.
Serge Aurier (Toulouse)
Age: 21
The right back (right), who signed for Toulouse from Lens in 2012, could be a replacement for Bacary Sanga, if he leaves Arsenal this summer. Aurier has seven caps for Côte d'Ivoire.
Julian Draxler (Schalke 04)
Age: 20
An attacking midfielder who has been on Wenger's radar for some time, the 20-year-old has 11 caps for Germany and is the star man at his club, Schalke 04.
James Milner (Manchester City)
Age: 28
The talented and committed winger may be open to a move away from the Etihad, having been used sparingly by the Premier League champions. With 45 caps for England he could feature at the World Cup and his price might rise, which Wenger will be wary of.
0 comments: