Arsenal’s summer transfer window has delivered mixed results, with a high-profile pursuit of Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr ending in disappointment for the north London club.
The Gunners did secure a major signing in Bruno Guimaraes, bringing the Brazilian and Newcastle captain to the Emirates Stadium for a fee of £75m.
Guimaraes joins Martin Zubimendi and Viktor Gyokeres as another “win now” signing designed to immediately strengthen the Arsenal squad and increase competition for places.
Manager Mikel Arteta was asked whether fans should expect further arrivals before the deadline and said: “Well, that’s what we’re trying to do. If we have the right player in the market to make us much better.”
The situation is made more pressing by injuries to defenders Jurrien Timber and William Saliba, who will both miss the start of the new season.
Arsenal have already brought in Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge as a replacement for Leandro Trossard, with the 24-year-old having produced 22 goals and 29 assists in all competitions last season for the Belgian club.
Sporting director Andrea Berta has identified Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz as a left-wing target, with the 21-year-old registering 11 goals and 10 assists in 47 appearances across all competitions last season for the Italian club.
According to Opta, of all players in Europe’s top five leagues last season, only Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes with 98 and Werder Bremen’s Romano Schmid with 77 created more open-play chances than Yildiz, while only Vinicius with 43 created more chances after carrying the ball than Yildiz, who registered 37.
However, Yildiz has signed a new four-year deal and sources indicate that Juventus are unwilling to sell the Turkey international this summer.
Arsenal have also explored a deal for Paris St-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, though Liverpool are also interested and PSG are demanding a fee of more than £100m for the forward.
Atletico Bilbao’s Nico Williams is another wide option who has attracted interest, with the Spain international averaging 8.2 dribbles per 90 minutes last season in La Liga, with only Lamine Yamal, Kevin and Jeremy Doku averaging more across Europe’s top five leagues.
Williams is contracted to the Basque club until 2035, though reports suggest there is a release clause in his deal, and a season disrupted by injury may give Arsenal pause for thought.
On the defensive front, Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa has emerged as a key target given his ability to play both centre-back and right-back, with the England international valued at around £60m.
Arsenal are also reportedly interested in Tottenham captain Cristian Romero, a move that would be a sensational piece of business following the Eberechi Eze deal last season, though Atletico Madrid are also chasing the Argentine and Spurs are unlikely to sell to a direct rival.
In attack, Arsenal hold strong interest in Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez, with the Argentine international understood to want to leave the Spanish club, though Barcelona are also pursuing the former Manchester City forward.
Viktor Gyokeres scored 21 goals in all competitions last season but questions persist over his technical suitability for Arteta’s system, which may explain the continued pursuit of Alvarez.
Outgoings also remain part of the picture, with Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Reiss Nelson all available if the right offers arrive at the Emirates.
Christian Norgaard has already departed for Everton, while the future of academy graduate Ethan Nwaneri also remains unresolved as the window approaches its climax.
Arsenal have added Guimaraes, Tzolis and former Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier so far, building on last season’s successes as Arteta looks to push his side to the next level.
With the deadline approaching and key positions still to be addressed, it promises to be an extremely busy final stretch of the summer for the Gunners.
