According to multiple sources throughout England, Arsenal are pursuing current Everton Centre Back Phil Jagielka. The Gunners have already had a 10 million pound bid rejected, and current reports are indicating that Wenger is getting ready to table an offer of 14 million pounds, but Toffees' manager David Moyes doesn't seem interested in letting go of Jagielka, who signed a 5 year extension to his current Everton contract in May. Should Wenger's persistence fail with Everton stories suggest he will turn to German World Cup star Per Mertesacker. Mertesacker, who stands at a mighty 6'7, thoroughly impressed in South Africa over the summer. It is thought a fee of about 10 million pounds would be required to acquire his services from his current club, Werder Bremen.
Either of these options would add much needed solidity to the young and unexperienced Arsenal backline (currently consisting of Vermaelen, Koscielny, Djourou), because of the transfer of Phillipe Senderos, and the free agent departures of William Gallas, Mikael Silvestre, and possibly Sol Campbell. The giant Mertesacker could add some much needed height into the back four, whilst Jagielka would add top English talent into the team, something the Gunners have been accused of lacking in the past few years.
I'd rather see Mertesacker come into the squad for a few reasons: he seems to be the cheaper option of the two, he proved himself with solid performance after solid performance in South Africa, he adds height to a short back four and a short team in general, his height and presence could combine well with Vermaelen's athleticism, and he's experienced at the top international level, which Jagielka is not.
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