Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will reinvest some of the cash from the sales of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri into signing two new centre-backs.
Wenger is under pressure to mount a significant challenge for silverware after six trophyless seasons and is eyeing several new additions to his squad before the transfer window closes at the end of August.
The French tactician has earmarked the defence as area that need strengthening and has made tentative moves this summer for several centre-backs, including Bolton’s Gary Cahill, Everton’s Phil Jagielka, Blackburn’s Chris Samba, Werder Bremen’s Per Mertesacker and Birmingham City’s Scott Dann.
The failure to land a commanding centre-back so far has riled some Arsenal fans, but Wenger plans to quell supporters’ frustrations by signing two defenders from his shortlist.
Jagielka and Samba are the Frenchman’s priority signings and he is prepared to part with a combined £30m to bolster his backline.
Arsenal will meet Everton’s £18m valuation of Jagielka, having seen a bid of £10m rejected last month.
Wenger is huge fan of the 28-year-old England international and is now wants to quickly seal a deal for a player he also tried to sign in January.
Wenger is prepared to fork out £12m for Blackburn’s captain Chris Samba, with the Frenchman eyeing the powerful stopper’s supreme aerial prowess to improve Arsenal’s ability to defend set pieces.
Meanwhile, the Gunners are planning to fill the void left in midfield by rekindling their interest in Valencia playmaker Juan Mata and signing Shakhtar Donetsk’s Brazilian midfielder Jadson.
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