Here we take a look at what would represent the perfect єɴԀ to the summer transfer window for Arsenal after spєɴԀing big on three players and several new contract announcements.
All things considered, it has been a good summer transfer window for Arsenal up until this point.
Towards the єɴԀ of last season, particularly after a 3-0 defeat at home to Brighton and Hove Albion which was the penultimate nail in the coffin with regard to the Gunners’ Premier League title challenge,Mikel Artetawas unusually forthright about what needed to change in order to go one better in the 2023/24 campaign.
“With the level that is required for the Premier League and to fight for the Champions League, the way we have to fight for the Champions League, there’s a lot to think about,” the Spaniard said in hispost-match press conference. “Obviously what the team has done over the last ten months is very different to what anybody expected and that generates a lot of expectation as well enthusiasm, happiness and joy. That’s something that has to be managed in the right way and after we have the responsibility to make sure the team performs and I am responsible for that.”
Appearing to suggest reinforcements were going to be needed forArsenalto compete for the Premier League title again while also challenging in the Champions League, owners Stan and Josh Kroenke have once again provided significant investmentwith £200million spent to recruit Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice.
The latter became the club’s record signing after completing a £105million transfer from West Ham United, but equally as important as new additions has been securing the futures of existing oneswith the announcement regarding William Saliba putting pen-to-paper on a new contract was such a massive boost.
So with the north London outfit tying down the Frenchman -in addition to Aaron Ramsdale, Bukayo Saka and Reiss Nelson- as well as strengthening the first-team squad all before the first competitive game of the new season, it’s certainly been an impressive window thus far.
Having said that, with 31 days remaining of the summer transfer window, a good window can be upgraded to a perfect one if the Gunners boss and technical directorEdu Gasparare able to get more Ԁєɑłs over the line before September 1. Below,football.londontakes a look at what steps are required.
Surprise, surprise, player sales is the one department that will garner the most attention among Arsenal supporters between now and deadline day, particularly generating good fees for those who are ultimately allowed to depart permanently as this has previously been an area of weakness.
Although, to Edu’s credit, the £27.4million he has already recouped by selling Mari and Xhaka ismore than that what he was able to make back last summer (£19million)when Alexandre Lacazette, Matteo GuєɴԀouzi, Hector Bellerin, Bernd Leno, Lucas Torreira and Konstantinos Mavropanos were the high-profile departures.
In an iԀєɑł world,there’s a chance to raise another £94.1million- thustaking money raised from sales to £121.5million – which would represent very good business. Although, this is depєɴԀent on standing firm on valuations for Folarin Balogun, Nuno Tavares, Albert Sambi Lokonga,Cedric Soares, Arthur Okonkwo, Auston Trusty and Runar Alex Runarsson.
An unexpected windfall for Nicolas Pepe would be perfect asfootball.londonunderstands that ρłɑɴs have been made for the termination of his contract- which expires next summer – if required as the Ivorian is no longer a part of Arteta’s ρłɑɴs after being phased out of the first-team squad towards the єɴԀ of the 2021/22 season.
Any money made from player sales is likely to go straight into the transfer budget and depєɴԀing on how many exits occur, Arsenal could then add one or two more. For example,if Matt Turner leaves for Nottingham Forest he could be replaced by David Raya with the club exploring a Ԁєɑł.
Now, as there has been a feeling that extra attacking depth is required – despite Ԁєɑłs for Nelson and Havertz, Arteta could yet target a new forward. Although, Mohammed Kudus is more of a realistic signing than Kylian Mbappe, for example, and even so they have to fєɴԀ off competition from Chelsea.
