The latter stage of Arsenal’s transfer window is likely to throw up many twists and turns yet, with Mikel Arteta sending a clear message to the board ahead of their pre-season clash with AC Milan in Asia.
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The Gunners have held talks over a deal for an attacker, who is now pushing to leave his club this summer.
Arteta, in his first press conference since returning from Arsenal’s summer break, was adamant that his side still need to reinforce the squad with more depth and quality, as the Spaniard attempts to end their two-decade-long wait for a Premier League title.
“It’s like shaking the tree again,” said Arteta about Arsenal’s new signings, with Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard all included in the squad for their trip to Singapore.
“Bringing new faces, they bring new excitement, new energy as well. We signed very important players as well. I think everybody feels that the heights have to go to different level, and it’s what we are seeking.”
|
Arsenal estimated transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports) |
Money on new signings |
|---|---|
|
19/20 – winter |
£0 |
|
20/21 – summer |
£81.5m |
|
20/21 – winter |
£900k |
|
21/22 – summer |
£156.8m |
|
21/22 – winter |
£1.8m |
|
22/23 – summer |
£121.5m |
|
22/23 – winter |
£59m |
|
23/24 – summer |
£208m |
|
23/24 – winter |
£0 |
|
24/25 – summer |
£101.5m |
|
24/25 – winter |
£0 |
|
25/26 – summer |
£140m |
Sporting CP’s striker Viktor Gyokeres is a top target for the Gunners, and a deal has now been given Fabrizio Romano’s famous ‘here we go’ tagline, with the striker set to sign a five-year deal at the Emirates.
After Gyokeres, Arsenal will prioritise the signing of a central attacking midfielder (Ben Jacobs), and there are still suggestions that sporting director Andrea Berta could add another high-profile winger after Madueke.
TalkSPORT reported recently that Arsenal maintain an interest in Real Madrid star Rodrygo, following their talks over signing the Brazil international earlier this window, which proved “very complicated” at the time, according to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg.
Now, Fabrizio Romano has shared an update on the 24-year-old’s uncertain future under Xabi Alonso.
Rodrygo set to decide Real Madrid future after early summer Arsenal talks
Writing in his GiveMeSport newsletter, Romano claims that Rodrygo is set for talks with Real Madrid over his career in the coming days, and there is still a possibility that he could choose to depart Los Blancos.
However, his price tag could come in as high as £86 million, so it is unclear whether Arsenal could somehow fit him.
“I’m told, also in this case, it’s still early stages,” said Romano.
“Rodrygo has to speak to Real Madrid again in the next days, decide whether he wants to go or stay, and get a final price, likely to be over €100m (£86m) at the start of talks. It’s not an advanced deal now.”
The former Santos starlet bagged 14 goals and 11 assists in all competitions for Real last season, and his creativity would be a very useful asset for Arteta up against teams in the low block, which they struggled to deal with a lot last season.
AC Milan midfielder and Whites legend Luka Modrić has also already branded Rodrygo a “world-class superstar”.
