Arsenal fans have become used to seeing their side fail to land top targets during transfer windows. That said, our resident Gooners our in higher spirits than usual following a comprehensive 3-0 victory over less than friendly Premier League opponents Stoke City on Sunday.
But even by Arsene Wenger’s standards, the capture of Winston Reid from West Ham United this month seemed relatively straightforward.
The New Zealand international is entering the final six months of his contract at Upton Park and seemingly had no intention of signing an extension.
The fact he was available for a cut-price fee, along with the player’s desire to move to a big club meant this was a deal everyone expected to go through with minimum fuss.
But after the player broke his silence on the speculation of a move away from Upton Park, as reported in his new column on Fanbookz, it appears the Kiwi centre back wants to knuckle down and get the Hammers as high up the top flight table as possible.
With doubt now cast over the move, we have identified five alternatives for the Gunners to consider.
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Click on Winston Reid to reveal 5 centre back alternatives for Arsenal to consider.
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Fabian Schar
Most Arsenal supporters are of the opinion Wenger needs to invest in not just one but two new centre backs as quickly as possible – one established and one youngster with potential.
The latter option could be FC Basel star Fabian Schar who has been an influential member of a side that has beaten Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool in Europe recently.
Just 22-years-old and already a Swiss international, Schar has plenty of potential and would be available for around £10 million.
Martin Hinteregger
The 21-year-old is another young defender who has begun attracting interest from clubs all over Europe.
If reports are to be believed, Arsenal are ready to battle Manchester United for the young Austrian’s signature with Hinteregger having come to prominence after starring for Red Bull Salzburg in their last two campaigns which ended in winning two glorious Austrian Bundesliga titles.
He would also come cheap with reports suggesting £2.5 million will be enough to see the deal over the line – a fee that will surely make Wenger’s eyes light up.
Ron Vlaar
With January often proving a difficult month in which to land top targets, Aston Villa’s Ron Vlaar would represent a decent stop gap signing.
The Villa captain is in the final six months of his contract and has shown no signs of signing a new deal with Paul Lambert’s side.
Vlaar has experience at Premier League level whilst he showed during the summer’s World Cup he is more than capable of mixing it with top players. The fact he is not cup ties for European competition may also work in his favour – as well as the cheap price.
Jose Fonte
Southampton are flying in the Premier League at present and will surely fancy their chances of pipping Arsenal to that final Champions League spot in May.
The Saints will in no way want to lose their captain this month but as Liverpool showed with the capture of Dejan Lovren in the summer, the right offer can make it very difficult to keep a hold of your best players.
Fonte has been one of the standout centre backs in the country this season and whilst he would not come cheap, he would be seen as a decent solution to the Gunners defensive issues.
Angelo Ogbonna
The powerful Italian international centre back is another who was linked with a move to both Arsenal and Manchester United in the summer.
Ogbonna has been a key part of the Juventus side that has claimed back to back Serie A titles but is no longer guaranteed a starting place with the Old Lady.
The 26-year-old has been capped 10 times for his country whilst his left foot means he is also capable of playing as a left full back – something that may well appeal to Arsene Wenger given the fact Arsenal somehow manage to see every single one of their defenders injured at some point or another over the course of a season.
