With Champio
ns League football this season now assured at the Emirates, Arsene Wenger can devote more time to strengthening his depleted squad.
Whilst midfielders to replace Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri are high on Wenger’s wishlist, he also wants to strengthen his defence, an area which was shown to be under-strength during their 2-0 loss at home to Liverpool. Centre-back Raul Albiol of Real Madrid is believed to be at the top of Wenger’s desired targets, and a move for the Spanish international could be imminent.
Albiol is not only an international class centre-back, but can also play as a holding midfielder, providing Wenger with the kind of versatility his squad desperately needs. Although he was quite the success story in his first season at Madrid, the arrival of Jose Mourinho in his second season saw him fall beneath both Pepe and Ricardo Carvalho in the pecking order at the Bernabeu.
CaughtOffside are reporting that should Arsenal’s interest become more concrete, then they may have to compete with Valencia, Albiol’s hometown club, who are also seeking to strengthen their defence. With Mourinho favouring other options at the heart of his defence, he is reported as being willing to sell Albiol for £8M, a price tag easily affordable to both Arsenal and Valencia, and could prove to be quite the bargain for either side.
