Arsenal are set to bolster their squad in the coming days
Arsenal’s recruitment drive appears to be gathering momentum as the Gunners eye several big-money transfers. It comes as a welcome shift in tempo after what proved to be a remarkably quiet opening month of the transfer window for the club.
The English champions’ first signing of the summer was the permanent acquisition of Piero Hincapie for £34.5million, with the Ecuadorian having spent last season on loan in N5. Following that initial bit of business, they bolstered their squad depth by wrapping up a deal for back-up goalkeeper Illan Meslier, who arrived on a free transfer from Leeds United.
With the World Cup in North America now drawing to a close, the Gunners are expected to accelerate their activity as their main targets head home from international duty. Manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta are reportedly ready to splash the cash, with the potential to eclipse the club-record £250million experiment we saw last summer.
As the north London outfit prepare to bring in at least one more defender, a central midfielder and two forward players, football.london takes a closer look at the latest news stories surrounding the Premier League winners.
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Offers prepared for England duo
Arsenal are reportedly set to pursue Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa, amid interest in his England team-mate Morgan Rogers. football.london understands Arsenal are hoping to sign Rogers this summer, while reports claim Berta is preparing a bid for Konsa, who started in the World Cup semi-final defeat against Argentina.
The Mail reports that defender Konsa is another priority target. It is claimed that Konsa, who has two years remaining on his contract, is open-minded regarding his future and is yet to agree new terms with Villa.
Arsenal are reportedly readying a bid for the central defender, who is equally capable of filling in at right-back. The £50m-rated England international’s ability to operate across the backline would prove invaluable for Arteta this campaign, given the club’s well-documented injury issues at right-back and with central defender William Saliba expected to be side-lined for several months due to a back complaint.
England face France in the bronze final on Saturday, their final fixture of the World Cup, which means Arsenal could soon receive the go-ahead to push forward with the double swoop should they opt to pursue both targets.
Tzolis left out of squad
Christos Tzolis is scheduled to undergo his Arsenal medical this weekend ahead of a £34m transfer from Club Brugge. Arsenal reached an agreement with the Belgian club for Tzolis this week as they look to strengthen their wide options ahead of their title defence.
The exit of Leandro Trossard to Besiktas has only heightened the urgency to strengthen their attacking options. However, there is encouraging news for Gunners fans, with a deal for Tzolis expected to be finalised imminently.
The Greek winger, 24, was omitted from Club Brugge’s warm-up fixture against Heerenveen on Friday. Brugge were keen to eliminate any risk of injury that could jeopardise his lucrative move to the English champions ahead of his medical.
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