Arsenal’s transfer shortlist: Who are the targets, potential ins and outs and what’s the budget?

Standard Sport29 June 2017

Arsene Wenger faces the biggest transfer window of his life as he aims to restore Arsenal to their former glories.

The Gunners may have won their third FA Cup in four seasons as they beat Chelsea in May, but Wenger's men missed out on Champions League football after finishing fifth in the Premier League.

Wenger has since signed a new two-year contract despite numerous fan protests during the 2016-17 run-in, and the manager will need some strong success in the summer market to offer supporters - and players such as Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil - a reason to stick around.

Here's what we know so far courtesy of James Olley...

Transfers in

Sead Kolasinac | Schalke | free

Transfers out

Yaya Sanogo | free transfer

Are Sanchez and Ozil staying?

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

The duo are yet to commit their futures to the Emirates, though neither has publicly declared their intention to leave north London.

Both Ozil and Sanchez wanted to know who was on Wenger's shopping list before deciding on new deals, although Bayern Munich have since distanced themselves from a potential £350,000-a-week offer after it became apparent that a transfer fee would be well over their £30m valuation.

Manchester City are now the most realistic option for Sanchez, with Ozil the more likely of the two to end up staying given his relatively modest returns in terms of combined goals and assists last season.

Who is on Wenger's wishlist?

Wenger has previously confirmed he is targeting a "maximum of three" new faces, with Saed Kolasinac already a confirmed arrival on a free transfer from Schalke.

Wenger's defence and midfielder is suitably well stocked barring an injury crisis as he prepares to stick with a 3-4-3 formation, though the coach is seeking at least one new forward and has question marks regarding his goalkeepers.

Backup keeper David Ospina is looking to leave the club despite no movement yet on a potential exit to Fenerbahce, though the Gunners lost out on Jordan Pickford after the England U21 international joined Everton for £30m.

Kylian Mbappe and Alexandre Lacazette are Wenger's key targets in attack, though both deals hinge on the French coach being able to persuade his compatriots that north London is a more attractive proposition than the Spanish capital of Madrid.

Mbappe's Monaco team-mate Thomas Lemar is also under consideration following a superb season in France.

So, will Arsenal sign Mbappe?

In Pictures | Kylian Mbappe's meteoric rise at Monaco

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There has been movement, but no deal is close.

An £87million offer was rejected by Monaco - although Arsenal deny any offer was made - and progress has since slowed.

The Ligue 1 champions are now understood to be planning a bumper new £140,000-a-week contract offer, with the youngster currently earning £16,000 a week.

Real Madrid appear to be in pole position, with Mbappe reportedly a long-time admirer of the Champions League holders. Zinedine Zidane has had a £105m bid rejected.

What about Lacazette?

With Mbappe a tough transfer to complete, Wenger has since stepped up his pursuit of the Lyon striker and seen a club-record £44m bid rejected.

Lacazette to Arsenal would be a marriage of convenience: Mbappe is understood to be the manager's preferred choice, while Lacazette would have joined Atletico Madrid had Fifa not banned the Spanish club from registering players until January 1, 2018.

However, Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has told Arsenal to match Atletico's £57m offer, with the Ligue 1 club seemingly content to wait until January to sell Lacazette.

Lacazette is also believed to be open to waiting until then especially given Arsenal are not in the Champions League.

How about Lemar?

AFP/Getty Images

Talks are ongoing between Arsenal and Monaco, but the French champions have so far given Arsenal little encouragement a deal could be done.

The Gunners are believed to be preparing a fresh bid in the region of £35m to test their resolve, while Tottenham, Man City and Man United have all been linked with the 21-year-old attacking midfielder.

What does this mean for Olivier Giroud?

Giroud is keen to remain at the Emirates Stadium, telling Aulas that he still harbours hopes of being Arsenal's first-choice forward next season when in talks over a transfer.

Lyon have since publicly ended their interest in Giroud after signing Bertrand Traore from Chelsea and, at the unveiling, Aulas claimed that Arsenal want to keep the 30-year-old.

A £20m price tag was placed on Giroud ahead of an expected summer exit, with West Ham understood to be leading the chase.

What is Arsenal's budget?

Wenger has been handed £100m to bolster his squad with three new players.

But even with free signing Sead Kolasinac through the door, Wenger will likely not have the funds to sign both Mbappe and Lacazette.

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