In the torrid season of Arsenal Football Club, it appears things are about to get even worse for the Gunners fans here in the Transfer Tavern.

Star forward, Alexis Sanchez, looks like he could be about to leave the club.

Gunners chiefs are fearful of incoming bids from Premier League rivals Chelsea and Manchester City, and are pushing the Chilean towards a move to French giants PSG if they cannot agree a new deal with the player.

The Daily Mail reported last month that Sanchez wants to quit the club, and Arsene Wenger will plan for next season without the talismanic striker.

Sanchez has been integral to the Arsenal side since he linked up with the team from Barcelona in 2014, and has scored 47 goals in 94 games.

Not a bad return for a player who has often been deployed out wide.

Sanchez is one of Arsenal’s truly world class players, and the Emirates side would struggle to replace him, especially if they fail to qualify for the Champions League.

Arsenal are an extremely wealthy club and will have to back Wenger in the transfer market whether Sanchez stays or not.

Without Champions League football though, the French gaffer will have to look away from Europe’s established stars to the more uncut jewels of the European game.

Here we take a look at a potential replacement for Sanchez, as well as a couple of other diamonds in the rough that Wenger may look to target this summer…

Iago Aspas

What a turnaround it has been for Iago Aspas.

The Spanish striker endured a miserable time during his short spell with Liverpool, and was quickly shipped back to Spain.

Since joining Celta Vigo however, he has recaptured the form that secured him a move to England in the first place.

23 goals this season has elevated Aspas into the category of deadly striker once more, and his goals have put his side on the verge of a place in the Europa League semi finals.

At the age of 29, Aspas is at his peak, and this summer could be his last chance to prove himself on the biggest stage.

Whoever finishes in the top four are unlikely to look at the Galician born strike, but Arsenal may wish to give him another shot at the Premier League.

A proven goalscorer in Spain, Aspas has what it takes to succeed with the right English team. He is a realistic target for Arsenal in terms of willingness to join and price tag, and the player will come back to the English game with a point to prove.

Corentin Tolisso

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ncn_LcIcko

In his 20 years with the Gunners, Wenger has garnered a reputation for his fondness for French players. Plucking unknowns from French clubs has proven to be something of a hobby, with Robert Pires, Emmanuel Petit and Laurent Koscielny just some of the names plucked from the depths of French football and turned into key performers.

Tolisso has established himself in the French division and has impressed in Europe this season with Lyon, but is another Frenchman Wenger could propel to stardom.

The central midfielder has been a revelation in eastern France, and his performances this season have seen him smash 14 goals thus far, a phenomenal return for a central midfielder.

At 22 years of age, Tolisso’s career is only just beginning, and the Emirates stadium may be the perfect environment for the young Frenchman.

If Wenger takes charge of the Gunners for several more years, Tolisso may be nurtured by the experienced boss, and developed into the quality player he has the potential to become.

Tolisso would seamlessly slide into the Gunners midfield, and his passing and ability on the ball would add a new dimension to Wenger’s side.

Arsenal have lacked a goal scoring threat from the middle this season, and Tolisso’s box to box ability would transform the Gunners into a dangerous force. If he has any sense, Wenger should look to wrap this signing up.

Nabil Fekir

Lyon have a wealth of talent in their exciting side, and Tolisso’s team mate, Nabil Fekir, is another man sure to be on Wenger’s radar.

Fekir operates further forward than his Lyon colleague, and is best utilised down the middle as either a supporting midfielder, or as an all out centre forward.

Fekir is a fantastic forward player, and has exhibited a number of key attributes this season that would make him a perfect Gunners signing. When behind a front striker, Fekir is deadly.

His ability to pick out a pass can be devastating, and his late runs into the box have seen the forward consistently score this season.

A move to Arsenal would further enhance his credentials for further international call ups, and a link up with compatriot Olivier Giroud could prove to be a fruitful one, given Fekir’s attributes as a player.

Giroud’s ability in the air and ability to find the net would compliment Fekir’s creative talents, and Arsenal may not miss the goalscoring exploits of Alexis Sanchez if this French pair were to link up.