ARSENAL could finally see the back of their hated owner – with billionaire Aliko Dangote interested in buying the club.
The Gunners faithful have called for Stan Kroenke to go for years after – what they see – as a lack of investment in the squad.
The struggling North Londoners need a squad overhaul, with them lying down in tenth in the Premier League table.
The future looks slightly brighter, with Mikel Arteta coming in to take over as boss from Unai Emery and already showing signs of progress.
But with an ailing starting XI and a squad full of dead wood, Arsenal are in need of some heavy investment over the coming transfer windows.
And Dangote could be their saviour, with Africa’s richest man – worth a staggering £7.7bn – making his takeover intentions clear.
He said: “It is a team that yes I would like to buy some day, but what I keep saying is we have $20billion worth of projects and that’s what I really want to concentrate on.
“I’m buying Arsenal when I finish all these projects, because I’m trying to take the company to the next level.”
So where would the Gunners need investing and what areas would they need to offload and start again under a new regime?
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GOALKEEPER AND DEFENCE
Bernd Leno has proven time and time again he is a more than capable No1, with a string of fine performances in recent seasons.
Full-backs Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney are both young and experienced at the highest level, and would not need replacing.
But new centre-backs would need to be bought, with Manchester City’s John Stones and the £50m purchase of RB Leipzig star Dayot Upamecano top of their wish-list.
Soumare could be on his way to the Premier LeagueCredit: EPA
MIDFIELD
Granit Xhaka would be first to go after not living up to the standards the Gunners thought they were buying back in 2016.
Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi have youth on their side, and with a bit more coaching from Arteta, will come good.
That would leave them with grabbing Lille ace Boubakary Soumare from the clutches of Manchester United and Chelsea.
Mbappe would be one of the best signings Arsenal have ever made, but would he go?Credit: The Mega Agency
STRIKERS
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has proven to be the North Londoners best player over the last four years, but age is not on his side at 30.
He will have to go, along with Alexandre Lacazette, but Nicolas Pepe and Reiss Nelson are more than good enough on the wings.
That leaves the central forward role to be filled, and what better than the £257m capture of PSG superstar Kylian Mbappe?
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
