Arsenal's summer plans - What could be in store

Arsenal are set to be busy over the summer, and here are some of the summer plans that could materialise:

Goalkeeper - Victor Valdes won’t be signing a new deal at Barcelona and is very high on the Wenger Want list, so there is a bit of chat suggesting that we are already talking to people associated with Valdes. Arsenal have also been interested in Asmir Begovic since the summer, but maybe relations with the club and Premier League prices will see them beaten by Chelsea. Avram Grant has supposedly given Roman Abramovich the green light on Begovic with rave reviews. If they pull the trigger on a goalkeeper, I’d put whatever money I had on them trying for Victor Valdes.

Right-back – There are a few names being mentioned here, with the only real one being Sebastian Corchia of Sochaux. There was a piece written in France about a deal between Arsenal and Corchia being agreed, but if you actually read it through, it makes very little sense. Bacary Sagna doesn’t seem to be in any rush to talk about a new deal, and in the same vein Arsenal don’t seem in any rush to talk about a new deal with him either, though there have been rumours linking him with PSG and big-spending Monaco.

Centre-back – Thomas Vermaelen’s dramatic drop in form and subsequent removal from the first team has led to speculation that it’s the Belgian’s last season at the club. I would concur with them on what I’ve heard since the summer, and with the rumours of agent Kees Vos being spotted at the Nou Camp in weeks gone by (A la Van Persie), this one is only going to run-and-run. Johan Djourou has also made it clear that he would like to make his loan move to Hannover permanent, despite there being no option-to-buy in the loan. So we could potentially be 2 centre-backs down in the summer, and 3 if you count Sebastian Squillaci’s contract expiry. As far as the incomings are mooted, I was told we had a bid for Ashley Williams rejected in the January transfer window, but I’m not so sure on that link.

Centre-forward – We are in desperate need of firepower to accompany Olivier Giroud, who hasn’t had a bad first season in all truth. His only crime is that he isn’t Robin van Persie, but as far as incomings are concerned it’s all gone quiet on Stevan Jovetic. Was told around November and December that Arsenal were talking and trying to persuade him on moving either in January or the summer, but it has gone quiet, and coupled with Manchester City‘s growing interest, it gives me that Juan Mata feeling all over again.

Kit Deal – After the Emirates deal was announced, all eyes turned to the kitmaker deal. Would it be Adidas or would it be Nike? All I can tell you as of 4-6 weeks ago is that people close to Adidas expect Arsenal to re-sign with Nike.