Andrea Berta is poised to end the wait for Arsenal’s first signings of the summer.
Martin Zubimendi has chosen his Arsenal squad number but is expected to be officially confirmed next month for financial reasons involving current club Real Sociedad.
Thomas Partey will depart Arsenal this summer after failing to agree terms on a new contract but Andrea Berta has moved swiftly to ensure Mikel Arteta is not left short in midfield.
Arsenal are set to sign Christian Norgaard from Premier League rivals Brentford as part of a triple swoop that will see the new sporting director embarrass former employee Edu Gaspar.
Arsenal signed Fabio Vieira for £34.2m from Porto back in the summer of 2022 and there were high hopes for the Portuguese midfielder.
Vieira struggled for Porto in their recent FIFA Club World Cup clash with Al Ahly and is now set to return to the Emirates Stadium following his loan spell.
Meanwhile, Kepa Arrizabalaga has completed his Arsenal medical and the club are also in talks to bring in Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera.
The total fee paid for the trio of Norgaard, Arrizabalaga and Mosquera is set to fall below Edu’s £34m paid for Vieira, highlighting Berta’s power in negotiations.
Berta is operating differently to Edu by negotiating with a number of transfer targets rather than placing his eggs in just one basket.
The strategy appears to be working so far by securing good deals for the club however, the main priority of a striker is yet to be solved.
Arsenal could make a profit on Vieira if they can find a suitable buyer this summer, however, Porto are not interested in making his loan spell permanent.
His contract at the Gunners runs until June 2027 and there are some in and around the club that believe that Vieira can still have a successful future in North London.
Another loan spell would leave Arsenal needing to make a decision on his future next summer and perhaps a Premier League move would be ideal to gain more experience in English football.
Arsenal have enquired over Eberechi Eze and should that deal be completed, Vieira would surely have to move on having already fallen behind Martin Odegaard and Ethan Nwaneri in the creative pecking order.
