Arsenal look set to miss out on a deal to sign Dries Mertens this summer, so who could they target instead?
According to Calcio Napoli 24, Mertens has agreed a new contract with Napoli and is ready to stay with the Italian club next term, putting to bed any talk of a summer transfer.
It was reported by Calcio Mercato, as translated by the Daily Mail, earlier this year that Arsenal were one of a number of clubs eyeing up Mertens on a free transfer at the end of the season, so, who could they target instead?
One alternative target could be Roma forward Cengiz Under. The Turkish international has recorded an impressive WhoScored rating of 6.96 and scored three goals in nine Serie A starts for Roma this season. He is only 22 and has already scored an impressive six goals in 19 caps for Turkey at international level, showing he can perform for both his club and country.
Under can also operate in several positions behind the striker, offering Mikel Arteta flexibility in selecting him in different formations. He can play on the left, in the number 10 role or on the right, whilst he could also do a job as a second striker in a 3-5-2. This would give Arteta plenty of options as to how to utilise him if they signed the forward from Roma.
Another target could be Norwich winger Todd Cantwell. The talented young English midfielder has scored six and assisted two for Norwich in the Premier League this season, despite his club sitting bottom of the table. He is great at being able to carry the ball up the pitch with his dribbling skills, whilst also getting into great positions in the box when his teammates have the ball to create chances for himself to score.
Cantwell could add further depth to Arsenal’s wide options and offer something different to the natural, pacey, wingers they currently have. He does not possess blistering pace, but he is able to dictate the play and slow games down before speeding it up at the right moment to cut teams apart with quick passes and link-up play on the edge of the box.
