Arsenal could ease the pain of Southampton losing yet another key player from their squad by offering two of their talented youngsters on loan, as Arsene Wenger looks to complete another impressive transfer, all before the season has even started.
Wenger has already brought in Calum Chambers from Southampton – the move is expected to be confirmed soon – for a fee which could go all the way up to £16 million, and Arsenal are also interested in defensive midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin.
The Arsenal manager as good as confirmed the signing of the 19-year-old versatile defender by revealing the reasons behind his decision to pay such a high fee for a player who has only made a handful of first-team appearances for Southampton.
"He hasn't played many games but the English players on the market in England are very expensive," Wenger was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail. "At the end of the day I was ready to take a gamble because he is a one for the future.
"He is a player I wanted because I rated his quality and intelligence. He is only 19 and can play at centre-back, right-back and central midfield. I hope he will give us competition for the players in those three positions."
New Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has warned potential suitors that Schneiderlin could cost up to £27 million, a hefty price for the 24-year-old, who has impressed everyone in the last two seasons in the English Premier League.
Reports suggest Arsenal have already started talks over a move for Schneiderlin with Southampton, who saw Dejan Lovren complete his move to Liverpool for £20 million, joining the likes of Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert and Luke Shaw from leaving St. Mary's this summer.
With Chambers also set to switch to Arsenal, losing Schneiderlin will be another huge blow for Southampton, who seemed to be suffering from their brilliant campaign under Mauricio Pochettino, who has incidentally left for Tottenham, last season.
However, Arsenal could ease the path for Schneiderlin to make a move to the Emirates by offering Carl Jenkinson and Serge Gnabry to the Saints in season-long loan moves, according to BBC journalist Nabil Hassan.
Re: Chambers. Talk of Jenkinson & Serge Gnabry joining #saintsfc on loan. Gnabry "going to be world class" says #afc-supporting colleague.
— Nabil Hassan (@NabilHassan79) July 26, 2014
With Chambers moving to Arsenal, Southampton could use another right-back to help Nathaniel Clyne out, and Jenkinson, who has also been targeted by West Ham and Hull City, could be the solution.
Hull City manager Steve Bruce confirmed his interest in Jenkinson. "I had a conversation with Arsenal four or five weeks ago to say 'would it be possible?' and apparently it might be," Bruce said about a possible loan move for the England full-back.
"We'll look at that situation. We haven't had confirmation from Arsenal and I would hate to upset them by speaking out of turn, but we are led to believe the kid might be available for loan. If he is, then, of course, we would be interested."
Gnabry, of course, is seen as one of the brightest talents at Arsenal, but with arrival of Alexis Sanchez could affect the young German's chances of first-team football. Hence the possible loan move, and Southampton should have no hesitation in snatching at the option, such is the 19-year-old's ability.
