Arsène Wenger is reportedly plotting a double move for Marseille striker André-Pierre Gignac and Juventus forward Fernando Llorente in the summer. Both have previously been linked with the Gunners having been a part of Arsène Wenger’s long shortlist for some time now.
Arsène Wenger has been a long-term admirer of Gignac and the Marseille man has been linked with London rivals West Ham and Liverpool, the Frenchmen is out of contract in the summer and could join French compatriots Laurent Koscielny, Olivier Giroud, Mathieu Debuchy, Francis Coquelin, Yaya Sanogo and Mathieu Flamini in north London for free in the off-season.
André-Pierre Gignac has scored on 52 occasions in 141 appearances for L’OM since his move to the south of France from Toulouse.
Fernando Llorente has also been linked with the north London side on many occasions, the former Bilbao man almost joined the Gunners last January after speculation of unhappiness in Turin but also nearly joined Arsenal before his move to Italy. The Spaniard has a good record in Turin considering how abject his start was, he has racked up 20 goals in 53 matches as well as 85 in 262 in eight years at Athletic Bilbao.
For me, both players would definitely improve Arsenal’s incredibly strong frontline but I think Fernando Llorente is too similar to Giroud, and the Frenchman is rapidly improving his goals record. If we were to only sign one, André-Pierre Gignac would be the better signing for me. He would mould into Wenger’s system well and he also has six other Frenchman in the Arsenal squad which could help his integration. His runs and directness would work well in and around Arsenal’s incredibly exciting attacking options.
