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Arsenal ready to splash £55m on double swoop for PL stars

By on May 15, 2017

According to a report in the Daily Star, Arsenal are ready to splash £55m on a double swoop for Leicester winger Riyad Mahrez and Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson this summer.

Despite a growing number of fans calling for him to leave, Arsene Wenger looks increasingly likely to stay on for at least another season and oversee a huge overhaul of the squad.

The Daily Star claim the Frenchman wants to sign five new players including a striker, winger, central defender, left-back and a goalkeeper over the coming months.

And Wenger has two key targets in mind with the newspaper reporting that we’re prepared to spend £55m of the summer kitty on Mahrez and Gibson.

Mahrez was strongly linked with a move to the Emirates last summer after he fired Leicester to the title but understandably his stock has fallen following a pretty average campaign this year.

The newspaper says Leicester will still demand £30m for his signature – which is £10m less than we were prepared to pay last summer – so you can see why Arsene is tempted.

The Algerian international is predominantly played on the right wing but he could be deployed in the attacking roles behind the striker in our new 3-4-2-1 formation, if Wenger sticks with it next season.

Gibson has caught the eye of several top Premier League clubs after being a rare shining light in whats been a disappointing campaign for Middlesbrough that’s seen them relegated to the Championship.

The Daily Star claim Wenger has had the centre-back scouted extensively this season and is ready to offer the Teessiders £25m for his signature this summer.

READ: Arsenal to announce first signing on July 1st

However, with the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool also in the running, the paper says ‘Boro are demanding at least £30m for their skipper.

I personally don’t see any need to spend that kind of money on a player who is arguably no better than the likes of Rob Holding or Calum Chambers so I’d prefer we save the money to spend on other areas of the squad.

Mahrez would be a good addition to the side but if we’re going to buy a centre-back, let’s go big and buy a truly world class defender.