As reported by The Telegraph last week, Arsenal are set to go back in for Chris Smalling this summer, after being linked with the Manchester United defender at the start of the campaign.
The rumoured £12million fee is certainly a reasonable price for an established England international – but could the Gunners do better?
After all, the 25 year-old has spent much of his Old Trafford career under a rather dark cloud, maligned by large sectors of the fanbase and rarely living up to the hype he received at former club Fulham.
There’s plenty of alternative defenders out there who would bring far more quality to the North London outfit’s backline, and just to prove it, we at Football Fancast have listed FIVE of them.
Who would you prefer to see at the Emirates next season Arsenal fans? Chris ‘deer in headlights, bambi on ice’ Smalling, or one of these FIVE alternatives?
BENEDICKT HOWEDES
If it’s Chris Smalling’s versatility Arsene Wenger finds most appealing, then he should shift the Gunners’ focus to Schalke skipper Benedikt Howedes.
The 27 year-old proved his utility at last summer’s World Cup, filling in as Germany’s left-back – no easy feat when you’re born with the towering 6 foot 2 frame of a centre-half – and throughout his career, has also featured at right back, wing-back and defensive midfield.
At club level, Howedes has been regarded as one of the top centre-backs outside Europe’s elite clubs for some time, serving at the Veltins Arena since 2007 and going on to make 53 appearances in the Champions League and Europa League, whilst picking up 32 caps for his country.
Set to end the season with two years remaining on his current deal, the summer represents a fantastic opportunity for Arsenal to convince the Miners to sell. Even so however, the Bundesliga side would likely demand in excess of £15million – according to The Daily Star.
FABIAN SCHAR
Statistically speaking, Fabian Schar was the best defender in the Champions League last season, earning an average rating of 7.61 from stat enthusiasts Whoscored.com whilst averaging an imperious 3.3 tackles, 4 interceptions, 6.7 clearances and 1.8 successful aerial duels per match.
And in addition to his defensive qualities, the 23 year-old is renowned for his marauding style, often instigating attacks from deep positions, in a comparable manner to Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen.
FC Basel recently extended the Swiss international’s contract by another year. But now set to expire in 2016, they’re widely expected to sell the 6 foot 1 defender this summer.
There’s plenty of competition for Schar’s signature however, with the Gunners, Spurs and West Ham all recently linked by talkSPORT.
JOHN STONES
Home-grown talent has been a huge factor in Arsenal’s transfer policy over the last few years and assumedly one of the reasons behind Arsene Wenger’s interest in Chris Smalling.
John Stones may not have reached the Manchester United defender’s level of performance just yet, but the Everton prodigy certainly isn’t far behind, dazzling the Goodison Park faithful last term with his jinking forward runs from the back.
Defensively too, the 20 year-old is solid; four of Everton’s clean sheets in the Premier League this term have been in the England international’s presence from 15 league starts, compared to just three without him.
The right-back-come-centre-back is blossoming into a real talent, seemingly improving by the game. But his valuation has already reached the £20million mark in the tabloids.
MIRANDA
Atletico Madrid star Miranda may not offer Arsenal much in the way of longevity – in fact, at 31 years of age, he’s the oldest defender on this list.
Yet, at the heart of Diego Simeone’s industrious, well-organised and hardworking Mattress Makers side, the Brazilian has emerged as one of the most dependable centre-backs in Europe over the last few years, helping the Vincente Calderon outfit claim Europa League, Copa del Rey and La Liga titles.
He’s basic but effective and a phenomenal athlete – the kind of brutish presence Arsenal’s defence currently lacks.
The 6 foot 1 defender’s £24million release clause remains somewhat hard to justify. But with just a year left on Miranda’s contract and promising youngster Jose Giminez emerging as his potential successor this term, Atletico could settle for less.
LOIC PERRIN
Many chuckled when Loic Perrin was linked with a move to the Emirates last January, but the Saint Etienne captain has been, without a doubt, one of the top-performing defenders in Ligue 1 over the last 18 months.
This season, for example, the Frenchman has averaged an impressive 2.5 tackles, 1.5 interceptions, 9.8 clearances and 4.4 successful aerial duels per match from his 26 league outings, also earning him four Man of the Match awards from Whoscored.com.
He’d unlikely be an automatic starter for Arsenal but would certainly add considerable depth to their squad, being equally adept at right-back, centre-back and defensive midfield.
The Metro claimed yesterday afternoon that the Gunners are likely to revive their interest in the summer. Having penned extended terms last September however, Saint Etienne are under no obligation to sell.