Every few days, Arsenal has been linked with a number of different players. You would almost think that Arsenal was a club that tends to bring in a number of high profile players every summer, but as we all know, that has not been how they operate, at least for the last few years.
Heading into the 2013/14 campaign, Ivan Gazidis and even Arsene Wenger have hinted that the Gunners are finally ready to spend a significant amount of money, but is it really going to happen?
For weeks now, we have heard about how Gonzalo Higuain is very 'close' to signing for the London side, but a few weeks later, the Real Madrid striker has still not put pen to paper. This not only does not surprise Arsenal fans, but it leads them to believe that at anytime, a club like Manchester City or even Chelsea could come into the picture, making it difficult to compete financially.
Apart from Higuain, I have seen links to Everton's Fellaini, Manchester United's Wayne Rooney, and today I have seen links with Fernando Torres.
How much credibility is behind these rumors? Probably not much, but going off of what Wenger and Gazidis have said, these rumors will at least keep impatient Arsenal fans on the edge of their seats.
If Higuain is really as close to signing as has been said, the Argentine's arrival at the Emirates could really send a message. Not only would the Gunners stand by their statement that they were ready to spend money, but it would also give the club's players a lift, showing that the club is ready to spend money, in order to challenge for titles.
With the signing of Higuain, Arsenal would also wave goodbye to their salary restrictions, giving them an opportunity to sign higher profile players. Does that mean someone like Wayne Rooney would make the move to the Emirates, or even Fellaini? Not necessarily, but at least it gives them a serious option.
Imagine Higuain does sign this week. What would that mean?
First, Arsenal would get a proven goal scorer who has done it on the big stage. At the moment, he would likely link up with Olivier Giroud, or even Theo Walcott depending on who Wenger would put up top, but the Real Madrid striker has proven that he can put the ball in the back of the net.
His arrival would also give Arsenal some hope in potentially bringing in someone like Fellaini. The Belgian midfielder would see that Arsenal is sticking to their words, giving the Everton midfielder an opportunity to challenge for titles in the coming season.
Starting on Monday, July 1st, the speculation as to who is going where will intensify. Clubs will be nearing their pre-season preparations, and managers will be looking to make signings sooner rather than later, in order to give new signings time to adapt to their new team.
Is Arsenal finally going to pull the trigger on one, two or maybe three known and proven players, or is this going to be a repeat of the last two or three years? A lot of promise and hope, only to end up with one or two transfers late in the transfer window, leading to another almost season for the Gunners.
Of all the speculated signings, who is Arsenal likely to sign this off-season?
