Arsene Wenger usually says very little about future transfers, so when he says he’s looking for a player then he really is looking to buy. But is he looking for a stand-in or thinking long-term?
Personally I hope that he isn’t thinking very short-term. I don’t think that another Silvestre or Campbell fits the bill. We are still in four competitions (just) and not all of our existing central defender are guaranteed Hall of Fame contenders. So if he can get the right player then I hope Wenger and the Club are prepared to splash the cash.
One player who seems to be ruling himself out is Per Mertesaker. If true I think that’s good news. I’ve never understood why people rate him so highly.
Anyway, Wenger says that ideally, if you have to buy in January you really want someone already in the Premiership. If he sticks to that, the shortlist probably comes down to Cahill, Jagielka, Agger and Samba. That would be my order of preference too, but I have my doubts about whether the last two are good enough.
If he can’t get one of the first two I think he should look further afield. Someone like Jan Vertonghen at Ajax.
What do you think?
