Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich are reportedly willing to listen to offers for Jerome Boateng, Thiago Alcantara, Juan Bernat and Arturo Vidal.
Bayern are entering a new era under Niko Kovac, who replaced veteran Jupp Heynckes after the end of the season. Kovac, the man who guided Eintracht Frankfurt to the DFB Cup last season against his current employers, now embarks on a new chapter. Under him, the Bavarians are ready to let some of their stars leave the club.
Apart from Bernat, the aforementioned three were regulars at Bayern this past season. Boateng, alongside Mats Hummels, formed a formidable partnership at the back. Meanwhile, Thiago has been a consistent performer ever since he joined the club and Vidal’s energy and winning mentality has helped Bayern over the years.
Surely, no manager would like to sell the core of any team but Kovac seemingly has other ideas and wants to inject freshness at Bayern.
However, should Arsenal go for the Bayern stars this summer?
Like Bayern, Arsenal are also set to embrace a new era under manager Unai Emery. The 46-year-old replaced Arsene Wenger at the end of the season and is now at the top job, itching to prove his credentials in the Premier League.
A new manager definitely needs a fresh set of players to start his tenure at any club and likewise, Emery will want his own.
After enduring a few years of mediocrity under Wenger, Emery has been tasked with the job of properly channelizing the Gunners to make them a force to reckon with in Europe once more. So, looking at the current crop of players Bayern are ready to sell, can Arsenal benefit from either of them?
Certainly. The Gunners need defensive reinforcements after conceding over 50 goals this past season. Bayern’s Jerome Boateng is one of the world’s best defenders and would immediately strengthen Arsenal’s defence.
He ticks all the boxes in terms of mentality and experience needed desperately at the north London outfit, particularly after Per Mertesacker’s retirement and Laurent Koscielny’s long-term injury. So, signing the German would make Arsenal’s defence rock-solid.
Barcelona must be regretting their decision of allowing Thiago to leave for Bayern. He certainly has the touch and flair to carve open defences with his passing abilities and exceptional technique. The Spaniard is effective in equal parts as a deep-lying or offensive midfielder and his versatility would be really handy if Arsenal were to approach him.
One of the world’s most complete midfielders, Arturo Vidal is a warrior. He can pass, tackle, run and score goals of all kinds. Furthermore, the Chilean is a serial winner and always remains hungry for more. Although he is 31, Vidal’s appetite hasn’t reduced and he would bring a lot of zest and energy to the Arsenal squad.
As far as Juan Bernat is concerned, the Gunners can ignore the Spaniard as they are heavily stacked in the full-back area.
It is impossible to see Bayern sell all their three players to one club — in this case, Arsenal. However, given the experience and winning mentality of the Bayern players, Emery must be licking his lips. But in order to sign the aforementioned stars, Arsenal will have to spend a lot.
That would only happen if Emery succeeds in clearing off the deadwood from the current squad. Till then, the prospect of seeing the likes of Boateng, Thiago and Vidal in an Arsenal jersey continues to be a distant dream.
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