Sorting out an acceptable deal for Alexis Sanchez's departure isn't the only piece of business Arsenal are having to conduct in the last couple of days of the summer transfer window. Arsene Wenger is also looking at landing a long term defensive target.
Following the departure of Gabriel Paulista to Valencia and the likely sale of Shkodran Mustafi to Internazionale, the Gunners are looking ever so lightweight at the back and, as Sunday's humiliating demolition at Anfield proved, the defenders they do have don't exactly inspire much confidence.
The decision to allow Mustafi to leave, only a year after his £40 million arrival from Valencia, has puzzled and angered Gunners fans in equal measure. With Arsene Wenger now choosing to operate with three centre-halves, it was expected that Mustafi would be one of the Frenchman's first choice defenders, alongside club captain Laurent Koscielny and one of Rob Holding, Calum Chambers and Per Mertesacker.
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However, following Inter's declaration of their interest in the World Cup winning Germany international, Wenger is believed to have made the shocking decision to welcome offers for last summer's recruit, even with his defence in disarray.
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Rob Holding endured a nightmare afternoon on Sunday, while Mertesacker, 32, can't be expected to play every week and will retire at the end of the season. Chambers, meanwhile, has seen his Gunners career blighted by injuries and was loaned out to Middlesbrough last season as the Riverside club were relegated from the Premier League.
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So step forward, Jonny Evans. The West Bromwich Albion defender who generated a ton of headlines two weeks ago when he was linked with a move to Manchester City.
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The former Manchester United centre-half has earned a lot of plaudits since his move to the Hawthorns two years ago and has been a long term target of Wenger's, with the Arsenal boss trying to sign him last season, to no avail.
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However, with pressure mounting on the Gunners manager only three games into the new Premier League season, Wenger may be forced into one more move in the transfer market, with Evans at the top of his list.
West Brom are understood to have knocked back an £18 million offer from City for Evans a fortnight ago and have reportedly set the Northern Ireland international's asking price at £30 million.
Perhaps Arsenal could find that £30 million in the fee they receive for Alexis Sanchez?
(H/T The Independent)
Topics: Football, West Bromwich Albion, Arsenal
