With the summer transfer window officially opening on Monday, Arsenal have already been extremely busy behind the scenes
After a hugely successful 2025/26 season, Mikel Arteta will be hoping the following campaign is even better for Arsenal.
The Gunners won their first Premier League title in 22 years and got to both finals of the Carabao Cup and Champions League, where they were beaten by Manchester City and PSG, respectively. To get even better, though, the north Londoners are expected to dip into the transfer market, with the summer window opening on Monday, June 15.
“The business never stops,” Josh Kroenke said last month. “Right now there are already other teams who are trying to strengthen and come at us for next season.
“We need to be aware of that. We’ve already had a few different conversations about different areas where we think we can improve on and off the pitch. I am looking forward to getting that going this summer but it’s going to be an interesting one because of the World Cup but fortunately everyone is coming to the United States so I don’t have to travel.”
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The Arsenal co-chairman, sporting director Andrea Berta and Arteta have already held a number of discussions around summer recruitment. Members of the squad departing over the next few months has also been discussed and, in fact, has already began.
Jakub Kiwior’s loan move to Porto will be made permanent this summer, with the Portuguese side confirming they have activated the option to sign the Polish international on a four-year contract, having agreed a £14.7million deal that could increase to £19million.
The central defender, who joined the Gunners from Italian side Spezia in a deal worth around £20million in January 2022, has flourished at Porto and was part of a backline that conceded just 18 times in 34 Primeira Liga games, ensuring Francesco Farioli’s side finished top of the table and six points clear of second-placed Sporting CP.
Interestingly, Kiwior’s contract at Porto will include a huge release clause of £60.4million, while Arsenal will retain a fixed amount of £1.7million in any potential future transfer of the player.
Another player who will also leave Arsenal this summer is Karl Hein. The goalkeeper joined Werder Bremen on loan at the start of the 2025/26 season but made just two appearances, playing understudy to Mio Backhaus.
Backhaus will leave the Bundesliga side to join SC Freiburg in the summer, however, with Bremen opting to sign Hein in a permanent deal and make the Estonia international “the club’s new first-choice goalkeeper”. It’s believed Bremen will pay Arsenal around €3million (£2.6million) for Hein’s services.
On leaving Arsenal, Hein said: “Where do I begin…eight beautiful years with this amazing club has come to an end. It was a real privilege to be part of a club like Arsenal for such a long time. It is surreal to look back and think that I was given the opportunity to find a way from the academy to the first team and I will forever be thankful to this amazing football club.
“This club has helped me grow from a 16-year old kid to a goalkeeper and person who can achieve his dreams. Who would have ever thought that somehow I will find myself a real family in London who I love. I’ve made so many irreplaceable memories, friends and connections that will stay with me forever.
“Congratulations to everyone involved in this special club on achieving the Premier League title this year and hopefully many more to come! Once a Gooner, always a Gooner.”
Teenage right-back Josh Nichols will also leave the club on the expiry of his contract, it has been announced, and will join Croatian side NK Kustosija. The 19-year-old , who has been at the club since he was eight, made his first-team debut in September 2024 during the 5-1 Carabao Cup win over Bolton Wanderers.
“It’s hard to put into words what this club means to me,” Nichols said on social media after agreeing a two-year deal with NK Kustosija. “This hasn’t just been a team I’ve played for. It’s been a second family, a place where I started as a little boy, made lifelong memories, and shared unforgettable moments both on and off the pitch with my brothers!
“Over the past decade, I’ve experienced the highs, the lows, the victories, the disappointments, and everything in between. Through it all, my love for this club has never changed. Wearing this badge has always been an honour, and every time I stepped onto the pitch, I gave everything I had because this club means so much to me.
“I want to thank every teammate, coach, supporter, and most importantly my family for making these years so special. I loved every single moment. Once a Gunner always a Gunner. Thank you Arsenal.”
Nichols is one of eight Arsenal youngsters who are leaving the club this summer when their contracts expire on June 30, 2026. Sam Chapman, Harrison Dudziak, Seb Ferdinand, Cam’ron Ismail, Will Lannin-Sweet, Samuel Onyekachukwu, Alexei Rojas-Fedorushchenko and Nichols will all depart, it was confirmed last week.
The club are also in contact with Aleksander Marciniak and Joshua Ogunnaike over extending their deals with discussions “ongoing”.
A club statement read: “We thank all the players leaving us for their contributions to the club. You will always be part of the Arsenal family and we wish you all the best of health and happiness in your futures. Any further developments regarding players extending their contracts, joining/re-joining, or leaving us will be officially communicated once confirmed.”
