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Unai Emerys top five transfers highlight the type of player hell want to sign this summer

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Unai Emerys top 5 transfers highlight the type of player he'll want to sign this summer — Will Emery be allowed to work his magic in the Arsenal hot-seat? (Picture: Getty Images)

Though the Arsenal hierarchy were impressed with Unai Emerys attention to detail, work ethic and vast experience, they cant possibly have ignored the Spaniards thrifty approach in the transfer market.

Reports are already suggesting that while Manchester City and Manchester United are expected to break the bank to continue their stronghold at the top of the Premier League table, Emery will have just £50m to spend this summer.

That figure is less than what Leicester City and Watford spent in the 2017 summer transfer window, and only fractionally lower than the £53m which financed Arsenals only money signing prior to the start of the campaign.

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But Emery has significant success when the purse strings are tightened and though he benefitted from the world record arrival of Neymar while at Paris Saint-Germain, he thrives when his resources are restricted.

Weve taken a look at his transfer record and picked out five occasions when he worked his magic. The question is, can he repeat that with the Gunners?

Roberto Soldado

Getafe to Valencia for £9m

Not to mistaken for the imposter who rocked up at Tottenham Hotspur in 2013 and spent two years lurching from one disaster to another in the Premier League. This was a far slicker, leaner Soldado who was still reeling from being dumped by Real Madrid.

The Spaniard went from a solid La Liga forward to one of Europes finest upon moving to the Mestalla. At a time when Barcelona were shelling out £40m to sign David Villa, Emerys capture of Soldado for less than a quarter of the price was a snip.

He netted 52 of his 82 goals at Valencia under Emerys tutelage, allowing the cash-strapped Los Che to offload him for over three times what they originally paid.

Ever Banega

Valencia to Sevilla for £2.25m

Having played a starring role at Valencia under Emery, the coach wasted little time reuniting with the Argentina international upon arriving at Sevilla. Just a year into his tenure at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium he moved for the diminutive midfielder for a modest fee of £2.25m.

Banega played a central role in Sevillas back-to-back Europa League successes, making 91 appearances over his two seasons back alongside Emery.

[Emery] supported me, pushed me and helped me develop. Winning this final and going straight into the Champions League – what more can you ask for? Banega said after his first Europa League success. Can Arsenals players expect the same treatment?

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Steven NZonzi

Stoke City to Sevilla for £7.2m

Another modest Premier League player who came alive under Emery. Inconsistent during spells at Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City, his arrival at Sevila saw the towering midfielder develop into a key figure in the clubs 2015-16 Europa League win.

Such has been his transformation into a more rounded midfielder, Arsenal fans are already calling on Emery to make NZonzi his first addition in north London. Linked with a move to The Emirates Stadium for a number of years, the Frenchman would provide a badly-needed combative presence in the middle of the park.

Kevin Gameiro

PSG to Sevilla for £6.75m

One of those to play a role in each of Sevillas three Europa League successes and the definition of a player far from potent in front of goal but willing to fight for the cause.

Gameiro did plunder 67 goals in 145 games under Emery at Sevilla but it was the manner in which he functioned effectively under the tactician which defined his three-season spell.

His most telling intervention proved to be his last as he scored the crucial equaliser in the Europa League final in 2016 against Liverpool less than a minute after the restart, to spark a second-half comeback.

Vitolo

From Las Palmas to Sevilla for £2.88m

Perhaps the standard-bearer as far as Emerys prowess in the transfer window is concerned. A capable player in the second tier with Las Palmas became a mainstay of Emerys three Europa League wins.

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Far from a spectacular winger, Vitolo underlines how a decent work-rate can be all you need to impress in an Emery side. Able to play on both wings and with a willingness to track back, it is no surprise he attracted the attention of Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid.

And upon moving to Atletico, Sevilla made 11 times what they originally paid for him just four years previous. He has gone on to win a fourth Europa League in five seasons but Arsenals players should take note of how he segued his way into Emerys heart through tenacity alone.