With limited space in Arsenal’s chequebook this summer, the club may have to cut corners in the transfer market to fulfil the demands of the forthcoming season.
The need to strengthen throughout the Gunners roster means that Unai Emery may have to prioritise certain areas – and leave others to any potential bargains or short-term solutions.
One such solution could be in an attack that was extremely potent last season, but was lacking depth. And without the guarantee of Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang staying fit – or producing at the rate they did in the previous campaign – adding more weight to their attacking firepower will be required despite Arsenal’s obvious defensive woes.
Finding a profitable answer to that particular problem could be tricky, but a brave move for a man with Premier League and Champions League experience could be available on the cheap – ticking all the boxes for such a role.
Salomon Rondon could be on the move this summer, having returned to West Brom from a season-long loan at Newcastle United with The Baggies unable to gain promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt.
And with 11 goals in the league last term, the 29-year-old would be a perfect stand-in for the goal-getting duo – and a suitable replacement for the outgoing Danny Welbeck.
Priority will surely be the league for Arsenal next year, and utilising Rondon’s services in the Europa League and cup competitions can take the weight off the duo whose performances often determined Arsenal’s fate last season.
As a prime aerial threat and set-piece danger, the £13.5m-rated Venezuelan could be up for grabs as a rumoured change in transfer policy at Newcastle opens up an opportunity for someone else to swoop in.
In any case, the added bonus of European football would surely appeal to Rondon should a bidding war for his signature take place.
A loan move in particular would certainly represent a good bit of business for The Gunners, as they reportedly near a deal for Celtic defender Kieran Tierney – who would arguably be a more beneficial addition towards their hopes of success next year.
With over half their budget set to go on the Scotsman, a cut-price deal for a player of Rondon’s quality will allow Arsenal to continue to build a squad capable of reaching the Champions League.
Adding a sense of fragility to the starting places of the front two will also hopefully get the best out of Arsenal’s partners in crime – while it should give Unai Emery enough peace of mind to put an emphasis on the defence, which will be the key to Arsenal’s level of success in the coming months.
Having helped his country to the Copa America quarter-finals, Rondon is showing few signs of ageing as he enters his 30s come September. Accustomed to the demands of the Premier League, he would become a valuable asset to Arsenal – especially if they can knock any value off to seal his potential arrival.
