Mikel Arteta’s four ideal Arsenal transfers disclosed as Edu schemes £203m summer swoop
At this juncture, Arsenal’s activity during the summer transfer window appears assured.
The Gunners are eager to expand upon their excellent 2022/23 Premier League campaign, in which they finished second, just five points behind champions Manchester City after 240 days at the top.
Mikel Arteta and Edu have likely already determined which positions require depth and which players they wish to acquire this summer.
Football.london understands that Granit Xhaka is close to joining Bayer Leverkusen, with the two clubs in advanced negotiations over a £13 million agreement.
Senior players Kieran Tierney and Folarin Balogun are also expected to leave north London in pursuit of more regular first-team action.
This trio’s departure could generate at least £60 million in sales, giving Arteta additional funds for incomings on top of the £180 million budget provided by club owner Stan Kroenke.
If all goes according to plan, Arsenal could enter the 2023/24 season with four significant additions and over £200 million spent on acquisitions to propel the club to the next level.
In his podcast Here We Go, Fabrizio Romano disclosed the positions Arteta intends to strengthen.
“From what I gather, two midfielders will be added this summer. They fantasize about Declan Rice plus one. Additionally, new fullback and center back. Therefore, Arsenal wishes to sign key players for the upcoming season.
As reported by football.london since February, Rice is and remains the summer’s top target. Bayern Munich is also interested in signing him, but Arsenal presently appears to have the upper hand.
The Gunners have proposed an opening bid of £92 million, but West Ham are holding out for a package worth closer to £120 million. The transfer will be debated after the Europa League final on June 7.
In defense, William Saliba’s back injury revealed the need for adequate support, as Rob Holding proved to be out of his depth after replacing the injured Frenchman.
Accordingly, football.london has learned that Arteta is eager to enhance his defensive options, with Crystal Palace center-back Marc Guehi topping his wish list.
Tottenham has also inquired about Guehi, but the Eagles appear unwilling to let the former Chelsea player go and have set a £50 million price tag. Edmond Tapsoba of Bayer Leverkusen has also been considered by Arsenal, according to thesoccerstand.
Guehi, a confirmed Premier League defender, could provide the ideal back-up for Leverkusen’s defense if the club is unwilling to sell after losing Evan Ndicka on a free transfer this summer.
In addition to Rice, an advanced midfielder is likely to join the club, with Mason Mount, Mohamed Kudus, and Gabri Veiga all being possibilities.
Mount is rumored to have agreed personal terms with Manchester United, while Kudus has spurned a new contract with Ajax and is tipped for a summer transfer.
The Athletic report that a £40 million bid would be sufficient to recruit Kudus, and his versatility at right midfield makes him Arteta’s ideal target.
The final position that Arteta desires to be filled is right back, with a number of targets including Ivan Fresnada of Real Valladolid and Mohamed Simakan of RB Leipzig being discussed internally.
The Gunners came close to signing Fresneda in January, as his ability to play as an inverted fullback at the age of 18 is a quality Arteta admires. Simakan, meanwhile, shares a comparable ability to Ben White in that he can also serve as a central defender.
Oleksandr Zinchenko’s injury issues during portions of the 2022-23 season hampered Arsenal, but having another option on the right flank in his absence will be of great value to the Gunners.
Valladolid anticipates Fresneda’s departure this summer, and according to Romano, the Spanish club has asked for €15 million (£13.25 million) to allow him to exit in the coming week.
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Mikel Arteta’s four ideal Arsenal transfers disclosed as Edu schemes £203m summer swoop