da wazamba： January is almost upon us and the rumour mill is chugging towards warp speed once again. Moves to China will be touted regularly for players around the European top flights and there might just be some clubs who are looking to lure the Chinese Super League riches towards their unwanted bench warmers.
da bet7： Of course, any sale to China will be marketed as a deal that was ‘too good to refuse’, but any shrewd Premier League club will surely be phoning up some of the Far East’s big spenders to generate themselves a bit of easy cash. It’s a no-brainer, really – these clubs want big-name players who have played at the top level and they will pay figures that make even Premier League chairmen wince.
Arsenal are one of the Premier League’s richest clubs, so finances may not be on their minds this winter. The Gunners too, though, have several players they don’t really need at the club and could be turned into cold, hard cash.
Gabriel Paulista
Although his place in the team is pretty secure with Shkodran Mustafi out through injury, Gabriel Paulista is a player that Arsenal must look to replace. Insecure and rash defensively, the Brazilian has not worked out at the club and a more reliable alternative should be signed.
A Brazilian with experience at the top of European football seems to fit the bill perfectly for what the Chinese Super League clubs are craving; Arsenal could make a pretty penny with Gabriel this winter.
Carl Jenkinson
Arsene Wenger’s man management of Carl Jenkinson has been curious this season. Quite publically showing his lack of faith in the defender, it is evident that Jenkinson’s time at the Gunners is up. A move elsewhere seems almost inevitable at this point.
The riches of Chinese football will unlikely be interested in a player like Jenkinson, but that should not stop the Gunners from trying to shop him around the Far East.
David Ospina
Backup goalkeepers seem to be getting more and more minutes in modern football, but it still feels almost wasteful when they’re as competent as David Ospina. On a few occasions he has outperformed Petr Cech this season, yet his chances of claiming the number one jersey are limited.
As a result, he is an asset that could be cashed in on this winter. While another fill-in player could be brought in cheaply, Ospina’s sale could generate revenue to aid a big outfield signing.
Mohamed Elneny
Arsenal’s depth in central midfield is the greatest it has been in a long, long time but Mohamed Elneny is very much on the fringe as a result. Even without Aaron Ramsey or Santiago Cazorla available regularly, Elneny is nothing more than a handy squad player.
For that very reason, then, he is replaceable. He is a disposable part of the team and a member of the side that could attract the riches of the Chinese Super League.
Nacho Monreal
Buying low and selling high is a pretty good way to run a business for the most part. Nacho Monreal has been one of the Premier League’s great recent bargains, but his downturn in performances over the last few weeks has raised questions about his future at the club.
While his reputation remains high, Arsenal must consider any offer they could receive from China. Still a decent full-back, sure, but the Spaniard will turn 31 before the end of the season.