Arsenal told to adopt Man United’s transfer approach in summer transfer window
John Hartson wants to see Arsenal target big-name signings like Manchester United this summer
John Hartson has encouraged Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger to adopt Manchester United’s strategy in the transfer market.
The Gunners are facing a battle to get back amongst the Premier League’s elite following a disappointing fifth-place finish last season.
Arsenal ended the 2016-17 campaign a staggering 18 points behind Premier League champions Chelsea in Antonio Conte’s first season in charge in England.
Wenger signed a new two-year contract extension after Arsenal were 2-1 winners against the title winners in the FA Cup final at Wembley.
However, Arsenal have only signed one player in the summer transfer window so far, despite the obvious need to strengthen their squad to close the ground on their title rivals.
The Gunners completed a deal to sign Bosnian left-back Sead Kolasinac in a free transfer from Bundesliga outfit Schalke 04 earlier this month.
Manchester United, on the other hand, have already signed Sweden international Victor Lindelof in a £30.7m deal from Portuguese champions Benfica.
The Red Devils have also been linked with Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata, Torino forward Andrea Belotti and their former star Cristiano Ronaldo.
Speaking to Sky Sports about the type of strategy Arsenal should adopt in the summer transfer window, former Gunners striker Hartson said:
“Their priority this summer is to be in for big players,” Hartson told Sky Sports.
“It’s difficult attracting big names, the biggest names in football when you’ve not got Champions League of course. But Manchester United were able to attract them when they didn’t have Champions League.
“They brought in the likes of Ibrahimovic, Mkhitaryan, one or two others. But I really want to see him in for the big names that become available in the world of football, I mean the real top, top class players.
“That’s what Arsenal need to challenge and challenge for title honours, of course they just won the FA Cup.
“I just feel that they need to go in for the big, big players which become available just to make them competitive next season in terms of challenging for the title, because that is what the supporters want.”
