Unai Emery and his Europa League masterclass led Arsenal into the Europa League finals where they will lock horns with Chelsea in an all-English final at Baku later this month. But their league form has been dismal towards the end of the campaign, and a win over the Blues is now the only hope to secure Champions League football in the next season.
According to The Sun, the Gunners have certain limitations but are reportedly interested in Leicester City centre-back Harry Maguire who would cost around £60m. The Englishman had yet another intriguing campaign, and the Foxes might find it hard to keep hold of him amid interest from Chelsea and Manchester United as well.
A transfer ban would potentially knock the Blues out of the race, but the North Londoners must make it among the European elites to compete financially as well as grab an advantage over the Red Devils to buy his services. United are plotting a revamp with a summer spending splurge and reconstructing the backline would be a priority for both these English giants.
Shkodran Mustafi has been disappointing while skipper Laurent Koscielny is not only getting more injury prone but also approaching his mid-thirties. Sokratis Papastathopoulos, though impressive, lacks consistency and leadership traits in the heart of the backline. The current scenario demands the necessity of a towering central defensive ace and a move for Maguire is indubitably a step in the right direction from the club management.
The 26-year-old Three Lions international completed a £17m switch to King Power from relegated Hull City a couple of summers back and there was no looking back since then. He soon exhibited his excellence with physical and aerial supremacy, game-reading, tackling and intercepting traits. He performed stupendously for his nation in last year’s World Cup run.
Although a move did not materialise last season, the attraction of European football might see him securing a transfer to attain greater glory. The arrival of Brendan Rodgers has rejuvenated Leicester in these culminating months, but a player of his profile, currently at the pinnacle of his career must be desperate to explore opportunities over competing for a mid-table Premier League finish unless a drastic change in fortune occurs in the coming days.
Arsenal, right now, must focus on winning the Europa which, in turn, would strengthen them in the transfer market. Signing Maguire is indeed essential for the Gunners to make things stable at the back and close the gaps with Manchester City and Liverpool at the top of the Premier League tally.
