Arsenal are reportedly ‘monitoring’ Leroy Sane’s situation at Bayern Munich ahead of a potential free transfer in the summer. The winger’s contract with the German club expires at the end of the season and it is claimed that no talks have taken place over an extension.
According to The Sun, Mikel Arteta is a fan of Sane having worked with the 29-year-old at Manchester City. The German would add experience to Arsenal’s forward line. It is expected that the Gunners will be busy in the summer and they could even add further former Premier League talent to their ranks.
Express Sport looks at a couple of other players Arsenal could persuade to return to these shores.
Julian Alvarez
Alvarez would be an excellent addition for Arsenal. Having fallen out of favour at City due to Erling Haaland’s form, the Argentine forward moved to Atletico Madrid last summer and has excelled, scoring 23 goals.
Alvarez always played well for City and his versatility would be well-liked by Arteta. The forward can play across the front three or as an advanced midfielder. That could land him increased game time at the Emirates Stadium.
Despite his positive start in Spain, Alvarez has been loosely linked with a return to the Premier League ahead of this summer. Liverpool are said to be long-term admirers. But if moves for Alexander Isak or Benjamin Sesko fall through, Alvarez should be under consideration among the Arsenal hierarchy.
Moise Kean
A difficult spell with Everton left Kean with a mixed reputation on these shores. Signed in a £35m deal aged 19, the forward was unable to make an impact on the volatile environment at Goodison. But the Italy international has since kicked on.
Now aged 25, Kean has matured into a prolific forward and would add goals to an Arsenal attack which has struggled to find the net this season. He has scored 20 goals in all competitions for Fiorentina after finally finding the right environment to flourish.
Jhon Duran
Duran was brilliant during his rare starts for Aston Villa and had the excellent form of Ollie Watkins to blame for his lack of action at the start of the season. His impatience saw him land a January move to Al-Nassr and he has found the Saudi league too easy – scoring seven goals in nine appearances since that £64m deal.
The 21-year-old will surely want to test himself in a top European league again soon. If Isak and Sesko remain at their current clubs, Arsenal could persuade Al-Nassr to break even on Duran in a deal that could end up being cheaper than some of their other targets.
Douglas Luiz
Arsenal are set to refresh their midfield options in the summer. Martin Zubimendi is widely expected to join from Real Sociedad, with Thomas Partey and Jorginho understood to be leaving when their contracts expire.
Two out and one in would leave a vacancy, though. Arsenal have previously been interested in former Villa and City star Luiz, who has made only three starts since moving to Juventus last summer. A switch to Arsenal could be beneficial for all parties.
Roberto Firmino
Arsenal cannot make the same mistake as this year and have no depth up front. Even if a big-money signing such as Isak or Sesko arrives, another centre-forward should be acquired as back-up. Former Liverpool hero Firmino could be ideal, especially as his future in Saudi Arabia looks bleak after being excluded from Al-Ahli’s Pro League squad.
