Arsene Wenger lines up bid for Neven Subotic - 7M sport

Arsene Wenger lines up bid for Neven Subotic



Posted Thursday, March 12, 2015 by The Telegraph

Borussia Dortmund defender is on Emirates Stadium shopping list as manager eyes three new signings

Arsene Wenger lines up bid for Neven Subotic
Target: Neven Subotic is wanted by Arsenal this summer

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Arsenal have been scouting Borussia Dortmund’s Neven Subotic after Arsene Wenger identified centre-back as well as central midfield and goalkeeper as a potential priority this summer.

Wenger will have a budget in the next transfer window of around £50 million and, while he is generally confident in what he regards as his best squad since at least the 2010-11 season, is likely to make up to three key additions.

Although Gabriel Paulista and Calum Chambers were respectively bought from Villarreal and Southampton during these past two transfer windows, centre-back is among the positions for which Arsenal have still been scouting.

Subotic is a 6ft 3ins Serbia international who has been a key part of two Bundesliga title-winning teams at Dortmund. He also played in the 2013 Champions League final and, at the age of 26, should now be in the prime years of his career.

Should Arsenal’s interest be followed up with a firm offer for Subotic, it would continue a subtle shift in Wenger’s transfer strategy to more experienced and established players.

It would also suggest either that Wenger sees Chambers as a right-back in the longer term or, perhaps more likely, is planning for life after Per Mertesacker. The Arsenal vice-captain will turn 31 later this year and, although he has endured a mixed season, did produce one of his best performances in Monday’s 2-1 FA Cup win against Manchester United.

Arsene Wenger lines up bid for Neven Subotic
All smiles: Borussia Dortmund's Neven Subotic celebrates with Roman Weidenfeller

The main transfer priority for Arsenal this summer will be in central midfield, with an offer still expected for Southampton’s Morgan Schneiderlin even if the form of Francis Coquelin has altered the picture over recent weeks. Mikel Arteta has agreed in principle to a one year extension to a contract that expires this summer but Abou Diaby is likely to leave and Arsenal would also listen to offers for Mathieu Flamini as he approaches the final season of his contract.

The goalkeeper situation also remains fluid, with David Ospina now playing in the Premier League games but Wojciech Szczesny in the FA Cup. Wenger believes he has good strength in depth among his goalkeeping unit – Emiliano Martinez is third choice – but he currently lacks a really commanding number one.



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