Arsenal planning a complete squad overhaul with £215 million transfer budget to compete with Premier League’s elite next season
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Mikel Arteta is clearly trusted by the Arsenal hierarchy to spend big, as evidenced by the Gunners bringing in six new faces for a total fee of £140 million last summer. What the North London outfit is said to be working on this time makes last year’s efforts look insignificant.
After missing out on Champions League qualification in the final stages of last season to their fierce rivals Spurs, Arteta is wasting no time in attempting to correct last season’s mistakes.
Arsenal made one purchase within a week of the transfer window opening, but it was for Sao Paulo wonderkid Marquinhos. While there are many reasons to be excited about the Brazilian teenager, he is unlikely to play a significant role in Arsenal’s first-team next season.
Arsenal’s capture of Porto sensation Fabio Vieira came out of the blue
Arteta then surprised fans and pundits alike when it was revealed that Arsenal are on the verge of completing a £30 million deal for FC Porto midfielder Fabio Vieira. Last season, the Portugal Under-21 international was the most prolific playmaker in Liga Nos, with 14 assists in the league alone.
Though his new club has yet to officially confirm the deal, it appears to be done, with Vieira already in London and undergoing his medical. Arsenal, on the other hand, is not going to stop there.
Arsenal’s top priority looks to be the signing of Brazillian Gabriel Jesus
Arteta’s next target is Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus, whom the Gunners manager knows well from his time as Pep Guardiola’s assistant at the Etihad. There are no such thing as discount in world football, and City are still waiting for Arteta’s Arsenal to pay the £50 million asking price for the Brazilian.
Arsenal’s desperation for a striker is well documented, especially in light of Alexandre Lacazette’s recent departure. After their opening bid was rejected, the Gunners’ move for Jesus appears to be a case of when rather than if but they should be wary of late interest from other suitors.
Arsenal are trying to poach superstars for other Premier League teams
Arsenal manager Arteta is said to be a huge fan of Leicester City midfielder maestro Youri Tielemans. The Belgium international has only one year left on his current contract at the King Power Stadium, so Arsenal are hoping to sign him for a low-cost fee. Having said that, the Foxes appear to be in no hurry to say anything and have not budged from their initial £45m valuation of the 25-year-old.
Raphinha, the talisman of Leeds United, could be the most expensive signing of the transfer window. The winger is held in high esteem by the Gunners hierarchy and would join a growing Brazilian contingent among Arsenal’s current crop of stars.
This is arguably the most difficult transaction to close this summer. Arsenal will not sign the Elland Road fan favourite unless they can offload Nicolas Pepe, and while the Ivorian is eager to leave, selling him for a price the Gunners consider fair may prove more difficult than many expect.
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Sujeeth Shetty
(766 Articles Published)