Arsenal are expected to be among the busiest Premier League sides this summer, as they look to match English champions Liverpool and end Mikel Arteta’s long wait for another piece of major silverware.
The north Londoners have a few key items on their transfer agenda over the coming months.
Arsenal are already set to end their search for a new back-up goalkeeper early doors, with Chelsea shot-stopper Kepa Arrizabalaga agreeing to join them. If all goes to plan, he will come in to replace Neto as an understudy to David Raya, and Kepa is apparently set to fight for his place as the Gunners’ number one.
For just £5 million, Arsenal are on the verge of securing an experienced and adept alternative to Raya, but they also have many other plates spinning behind-the-scenes.
Arsenal remain in ongoing talks for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, with no agreement yet found on price despite the Slovenia international reportedly shaking hands on personal terms.
If they cannot strike a deal for the 22-year-old, Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres remains on Arsenal’s radar as an alternative to Sesko.
Arsenal are also reliably reported to be targeting a new winger, so Arteta’s prediction of a “big” summer window appears to be very much coming true.
“It’s going to be a big one [summer] and we are very excited about it,” said Arteta back in April.
“When you are going to go again, we want to increase the depth of the squad and the quality and the skills that we need to go to the next step. Every summer is big because it is an opportunity – and especially because of the number of players we have in the squad right now, that is necessary.”
As well as the aforementioned targets, Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi is closing in on a move to the Emirates.
Despite Zubimendi appearing to pour cold water over reports that he’s set for a medical, and some rumoured late threat from Real Madrid, both The Athletic’s David Ornstein and trusted transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano have claimed in the last few days that the Spain international’s move to Arsenal is still very much on track.
The “fantastic” 26-year-old midfielder would be a world-class replacement for Jorginho, so much so, that Arsenal are actually agreeing to pay more than they need to for his signature.
That is according to journalist Aritz Gabilondo, who detailed in an article for Spanish news outlet AS this week that Arsenal will fork out around £60 million to sign Zubimendi from Sociedad, despite his release clause being £50 million.
This is apparently a gesture of good faith to Sociedad, and the fee will be paid in three installments. If Real or any other side had any hope of hijacking the deal, which Gabilondo describes as “complete and signed”, then they would’ve had to match or better the £60 million offer.
Arsenal expect Zubimendi in time for pre-season, so the Gunners remain utterly convinced that they’ve secured his signature, despite some recent noise to the contrary.
Echoing other sources, AS write that the delay in his announcement as an Arsenal player revolves around Sociedad wanting to register his sale as part of the next financial year, which begins on July 1.
