Arsenal transfer briefing: Four stalwarts who could be on the way out, the Real Madrid teen they are eyeing… and the fight with Man United over Leicester’s 16-year-old starlet
Arsenal will look to strengthen in at least four areas after Mikel Arteta called on the board to be “very ambitious” following their Champions League final defeat.
The Arsenal boss knows he needs more competition on the left side of his attack, at striker, right-back and midfield.
Arsenal’s revenues after this season are expected to reach £770 million, with over £300 million coming from TV.
It is known that some players will need to be sold to balance the books, but Arteta hopes the Premier League title and imminent Champions League campaign will convince Stan and Josh Kroenke that a little more investment in the right characters can take them to the next level.
Arteta senses the opportunity to extend their success with the transformations taking place among their Premier League rivals.
Despite being great servants, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Ben White and Gabriel Jesus can all leave. The latter was ready to sign a serious contract and gain British citizenship, but suitors were told the 29-year-old could leave if they made an offer of more than £18 million.
Barcelona are interested in Piero Hincapie, who made an impressive performance in Saturday’s final against Paris Saint-Germain.
Piero Hincapie is appreciated by Barcelona and Arsenal could make a quick profit
The Ecuador international will make his £45million move from Leverkusen permanent, but Arsenal could potentially make a quick profit if the offer is right. Hincapie is happy where he is, but may get better conditions as a result of the interest.
Real Madrid’s candidate Victor Valdepenas is a 19-year-old defender and left-back that Arsenal is following.
Newcastle United’s Tino Livramento and teammate Sandro Tonali are being discussed as potential targets. Both can go, but neither will be cheap.
Aston Villa’s £80 million Morgan Rogers and Bournemouth’s exciting young striker Eli Junior Kroupi are both admirable. Cherry says he should stay in this window, but much will depend on how big the offer is, with Europe’s elite teams weighing offers.
Marcus Rashford wants to stay at Barcelona, but his team believes Arsenal can come
Arsenal have long admired Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez, but his preference is Barcelona. The Spanish champion could not endear himself to his opponents in La Liga with his fighting style. They also want £120 million for the Argentine striker, which could be beyond Barca. PSG is also in the background as they prepare to omit Goncalo Ramos and potentially Bradley Barcola.
Many people are wondering where Barça’s recruitment drive will take Marcus Rashford. His wish is to continue with Hansi Flick, but if circumstances push him away from the team, Arsenal are one of the clubs his team could be interested in if the price is right, alongside Chelsea, Bayern Munich and potentially even Barca’s big rivals Real Madrid.
Brentford’s Igor Thiago is another centre-forward whom Arsenal admire, but once again the process will be tough and there will be competition.
Brentford’s Igor Thiago is another player Arsenal are monitoring – but he wouldn’t come cheap
Beating their rivals to the punch has also led them to examine whether West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes would fit into their squad rather than allowing him to join Manchester United. The Old Trafford club is also competing with Arsenal for Leicester City’s talented 16-year-old winger Jeremy Monga.
All the talent they desire will no longer come cheap. Clubs know Arsenal have the money; The question is whether they can use it wisely.
‘Fix the roof while the sun shines’ was a cliché adage put to good use when the old Liverpool dominated the 1970s and 1980s. This was echoed in the comments of former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard on Saturday night. In short, build on your success.
Mikel Arteta’s message, which stood out on Saturday night, was not lost: ‘We are starting to make very important decisions if we want to reach another level.
‘And we’re going to have to show that ambition because we’re more than capable of doing that, but it’s going to require being very, very ambitious, very fast and very smart.’
