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Arsenal Boss To Renew Interest In Long-Term Target, Bid Set To Go In

By on March 25, 2015

Reports this morning are claiming that Arsene Wenger is ready to renew his interest in Chris Smalling and test Manchester United’s resolve with a £12m bid.

We came close to signing Smalling back in 2010 before he eventually opted to make a £10m move to Old Trafford from Fulham.

Wenger made enquiries again last summer when he asked about the availability of both Smalling and Phil Jones, but was politely told to go away by United.

However, with Smalling set to enter the final year of his contract and no sign of an extension being signed any time soon, it looks as though Arsene is ready to have another go at luring the centre-back to the Emirates.

The Mirror claim that despite signing Gabriel in January, we are still in the market for another defender this summer and are set to table a £12m bid for Smalling.

Louis van Gaal is apparently ready to offer him a new deal but if terms can’t be agreed with the England international, then they may have no choice but to cash-in this summer rather than risk losing him for nothing in 2016.

These reports have been met with derision by the majority of Arsenal fans but Smalling has actually been in decent form lately and he performed well during recent wins over Liverpool and Tottenham.

Don’t get me wrong, I certainly don’t think he’s good enough to start for us next season, but he could be a useful squad player. And don’t forget he can play right-back too and would help us meet the new proposed home-grown player rules that are being put forward by the FA.

If we are looking to bring in Smalling, or any other centre-back for that matter, then it looks as though Per Mertesacker could be on his way out of the club at the end of the season.

My guess is that Per will head back to Germany and Arsene will make Koscielny and Gabriel his first choice pairing, and will then bring in a new signing as back-up. Will that player be Smalling? We’ll have to wait and see….