After more than five weeks of quiet, things have finally started to pick up at Arsenal.
Following the Gunners’ final game of the 2024/25 Premier League season on May 25, there was a period of reflection around Emirates Stadium. Mikel Arteta’s side finished second in the league for a third consecutive season and were knocked out of the Champions League by PSG in the semi-final. Things were no better in the FA Cup or Carabao Cup, either.
It was clear that Andrea Berta needed to be extremely active in his first transfer window as sporting director. So far, the Italian has not disappointed. Kepa Arrizabalaga joined from Chelsea on July 1 in a £5million deal, while the long-awaited signing of Martin Zubimendi was announced five days later. The midfielder joined from Real Sociedad in a deal worth more than £55million.
Christian Norgaard completed his move from Brentford on Thursday, with the 31-year-old signing a two-year contract at Emirates Stadium. The Dane cost the club £10million plus a potential £2million in add-ons.
With three players already through the door, Noni Madueke is expected to be the fourth signing of the window after Arsenal agreed a £50million fee with Chelsea for the winger. Madueke is a player the club have scouted for a number of years and his arrival will add additional quality to the Gunners’ attack, particularly down the right hand side.
Viktor Gyokeres remains firmly on the club’s agenda, too, as Berta looks to finally sign a world class striker for Arteta. Personal terms are not believed to be an issue but Sporting CP are trying to hold out for around £69million in total if you include add-ons.
So, if Arsenal do complete the signings of Madueke and Gyokeres for a combined fee of £119million, it would take the club’s summer spending to more than £190million. With this in mind, the north Londoners may need to try and recoup some funds by selling some of their unwanted stars.
Fabio Vieira, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Reiss Nelson and Albert Sambi Lokonga all fall into this category, while one of Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli could be allowed to leave, too. Berta’s attention will likely soon turn to outgoings, then, with the hope of recouping as much money as possible.
football.london understands Eberechi Eze remains a target with Arteta a fan of the Crystal Palace star but his arrival may well depend if the likes of Vieira, Zinchenko, Nelson and Lokonga can be moved on. Vieira, Nelson and Lokonga did spend the season away from Arsenal in 2024/25 and Berta’s priority now is to try and get fees for the trio, plus Zinchenko who has one year remaining on his deal.
