Humiliated Arsenal have now set their sight on Bayer Leverkusen’s Omer Toprak and Simon Kjaer of Fenerbahce for redemption as they search for a new centre-half, Sky reports.
Stubborn manager, Arsene Wenger at least admits he must strengthen his back-four due to injuries to Per Mertesacker and Gabriel. While they consider the two, their main target remains Valencia’s Shkodran Mustafi.
The German international has agreed to join the Gunners, however talks over fee between the clubs are ongoing. Now Toprak and Kjaer are options.
Toprak is a 27-year-old Turkey international with 23 caps, who joined Bayer Leverkusen from Freiburg in 2011, while Kjaer is a 27-year-old Denmark international with 59 caps. He signed for Fenerbahce from Lille in 2015.
Wenger was hammered after Liverpool spoiled Arsenal’s home party with a 4-3 defeat, especially as he is widely perceived as refusing to spend big, even when it is obvious that the rivals a buying heavily.
Wenger unusually admitted after the loss that his boys were not physically ready. He had played Rob Holding – a summer signing from Bolton – and Calum Chambers together at centre-back.
Arsenal also want to bring in a striker before the August 31 deadline, and their target Olympic Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette said yesterday he is ready to move.
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