Arsenal are set for a busy summer transfer window
Arsenal’s success this season shows how crucial it is to execute the summer transfer window effectively.
The Gunners splashed out a club-record sum exceeding £250million last year to maximise their chances of challenging on all four fronts this term – something they undoubtedly achieved.
Mikel Arteta felt confident enough not to demand any January reinforcements, though whether this proves a misstep remains to be seen. One advantage, however, is that it affords the north London side greater financial flexibility when this season ends.
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Arsenal ‘s sporting director Andrea Berta will still need to sell players to fund any incoming transfers. However, reports suggesting the Italian has already begun conducting business indicate his confidence in securing the necessary funds.
Football.london now examines the latest transfer rumours surrounding the Premier League title hopefuls.
Arsenal target in ‘concrete talks’
Arsenal face strong competition from Eintracht Frankfurt in their chase for Real Madrid prospect Victor Valdepenas. The highly-rated 19-year-old shares similar traits with Gunners star Riccardo Calafiori, possessing exceptional technical quality for a defender along with the ability to play at both centre-back and left-back.
His rare profile has naturally attracted the attention of Berta and Arteta. However, Sky Sport Germany reports that Frankfurt have now edged ahead in the pursuit of the Real Madrid academy graduate by holding concrete discussions with Valdepenas’ representatives.
The 6ft 2in teenager’s contract has three years remaining but it is understood he has a £43million release clause included in his deal.
Valdepenas has featured once for the Los Blancos first team this season. He was reportedly shortlisted by Arsenal as a potential defensive addition earlier this campaign.
Controversial transfer emerges
Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel has called on the Red Devils to sign former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka from Sunderland. Xhaka played for the Gunners between 2016 and 2023, even serving as captain, before deciding to pursue a fresh challenge in Germany.
The 33-year-old secured a domestic double with Bayer Leverkusen but has been outstanding since returning to the Premier League last summer, steering the Black Cats to mid-table. Former goalkeeper Schmeichel believes United chiefs should target the experienced Swiss international this summer.
But Xhaka joining Arsenal’s fierce rivals would likely leave Arteta frustrated, having been reluctant to sanction his departure in the first place and being well aware of his qualities.
Schmeichel made his case for Xhaka on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, stating: “I think we should go and sign Xhaka. I make my case, what we are going to do is build the team around Kobbie Mainoo, right.
“Now, Casemiro is leaving. Now you bring in somebody like Adam Wharton, Elliot Anderson whatever… that’s still young, that’s still untried. What we need and what we don’t really have apart from Harry and Bruno in that team is proper leadership.
“When I look at what Xhaka’s done for Sunderland, Xhaka is the reason they are where they are. He has been absolutely amazing, his leadership qualities are great, he can play 80 per cent of the games, he’s a really good player. We’re desperate for more leadership.”
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