Napoli ace and Belgian international, Dries Mertens may be the first signing of Arteta after officially being announced as head coach. The Napoli forward is in his last year of contract with the Italian club and is not looking to pen down an extension.
The 32-year-old is unlikely to be handed a new deal by Napoli, especially because of the fiddle with Napoli in recent months. Mertens was fined £145,000 for the mutiny with his team owners and since then has been rumoured with a move asap.
The Belgian striker has a strong longing from Borussia Dortmund and have also emerged as Bayern Munich’s top target. The Gunners face a tough tussle with these two Bundesliga giants but Mertens affinity for Premier League may well give Arsenal an edge.
The striker is available for as little as £8.5million in January due to his short contract and is a bargain worth every penny. He may well become Arteta’s first signing, if Arsenal are able to successfully strike a deal.
There are aplenty players that Arsenal need right now and Mertens is just the beginning. I say we definitely need 5-6 players to enhance our squad.
Ex-Arsenal man Kevin Campbell, however, believes Arteta needs to make TEN new signings. Campbell told SunSport: “Arsenal need ten players.”
“I’m not saying Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out or Alexandre Lacazette out but that squad needs ten players minimum.”
Mertens has been Napoli’s best for a long time now and given his finishing ability, Arsenal need him more than anyone else. The Belgian ace can probably change the outlook of this Arsenal squad with his experience and talent.
And at present, that’s all the Gunners need. A change in mindset!!!!!
