Why Arsenal should snap up Barcelona’s Marc Bartra in this transfer window

Arsenal have just a few weeks left of the transfer window to buy one or two more players that would make them genuine title contenders.

Although only Chelsea and Southampton conceded fewer Premier League goals than the Gunners’ 36 from the 2014/15 campaign, some new blood in the centre of defence would shake things up a bit.

Laurent Koscielny remains one of the most popular players at the Emirates and when fit is an automatic choice. Not so the ageing Per Mertesacker.

If Arsene Wenger fancies a no-nonsense purchase to strengthen that area of the side then he would do a lot worse than Barcelona’s Marc Bartra.

The young Catalan will struggle to regularly break into the Blaugrana starting XI again this season as Luis Enrique goes with his first choice pairing of Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano.

For a young player as good as Bartra is, to spend another season as a bit part exponent is hindering his professional development.

Although the player has suggested, per Javier Miguel of Sport, that he intends to stay and fight for his place, Barca’s reduction of his buyout clause to just €10million tells us much.

As with his colleague Pedro Rodriguez, the lowering of his transfer value will naturally invite bids from other teams.

And for what amounts to just over £7 million, Arsenal will land themselves a hungry, international class defender, and one who just lacks that little bit of regular experience at the top level.

Bartra started only 13 of Barca’s 60 games last term per WhoScored, and was sub in just four more. That’s more to do with managerial preference than any perceived notion that Bartra isn’t good enough.

Arsenal fans would do well to remember for example that when rumours of Alexis Sanchez’s transfer to the Gunners surfaced, social media was awash with comments such as ‘why do we want Barca’s sloppy seconds?’ and the like.

The roll call of talent at Camp Nou is such that not everyone can and does play every week with the possible exception of Lionel Messi.

Bartra is a composed, ball-playing centre half with a high level of pass success and superb distribution from the back. Perfect for Arsenal.

Adept at dealing with high balls or shepherding opposition attackers away from the danger areas, sat alongside Koscielny, Bartra could help provide the best partnership the club have had in that position for many years.

Lest we forget that he is still only 24 and at £7m, why are Arsenal even hesitating at that price?