NOW GO IN FOR THE KYL
Wenger lands Bosnian but is under orders to get big deals done early this time
ARSENE WENGER is under orders to stop dithering in the transfer market.
Arsenal have been quick off the mark this summer, confirming the signing of Bosnia leftback Sead Kolasinac yesterday.
Gunners boss Wenger has gained a reputation for making fatal hesitations over potential signings and leaving deals until the last minute.
But he has been left under no illusions that this summer must be different, with chief executive Ivan Gazidis and the club hierarchy trying to push through early deals.
Arsenal have a strong list of summer targets, with Wenger able to spend well in excess of £150million if he can also move out some players.
The Gunners are keen on Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette, Leicester winger Riyad Mahrez and Monaco midfielder Thomas Lemar.
They are also keen on Monaco whizz-kid Kylian Mbappe, with Wenger and Gazidis pictured in Nice as they explore an incredible move for the 18-year-old.
Mirror Sport understands they were in the South of France last week and, although Arsenal have not made an official bid for Mbappe, there is no doubting their interest.
Wenger met with Mbappe last summer and tried to persuade him to join Arsenal, for what would have been around £250,000 in training compensation set by FIFA.
But now Mbappe has marked himself down as the new Thierry Henry, the most sought-after talent in Europe, his value has rocketed.
Real Madrid have made a bid in excess of £100m to sign the French prodigy. The Gunners know it is a long shot but are in the mix for a move which would more than double their current £42m record deal for Mesut Ozil.
Olivier Giroud has warned he will not tolerate another season on the bench. The forward started only 11 league games in the last campaign.
He said: “I will not settle for another year with such little playing time. I will have to think carefully to consider it with my relatives and advisers.”
Kolasinac, 23, has arrived on a five-year deal from Schalke and can play as a left-back, wing-back or even on the left side of central defence.
He said: “Arsenal has a huge tradition and I followed the club as a young boy, in the days of Jens Lehmann and Thierry Henry. It is a club that is well recognised in Europe and I’m pleased to be here.”
Arsenal will also free up a lot of cash, with Mathieu Debuchy, Carl Jenkinson, Kieran Gibbs and Wojciech Szczesny all expected to leave.