ARSENAL are set for a huge squad overhaul this summer with a £150MILLION splurge – as SEVEN stars are set to be shown the exit.
The Gunners have endured yet another trophyless season after their Champions League exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain and the club recognise the need for several world class players.
The club are now preparing for a ruthlessly busy transfer window that could change their fortunes for next season.
Arsenal are comfortable spending big on major talent, forking out just over £200m in the summer of 2023 for Declan Rice [£105m], Kai Havertz [£65m] and Jurrien Timber [£35m] – but what about this summer?
Transfer targets
New sporting director Andrea Berta’s main focus is on finding an elite No9 to take the North Londoners to the next level.
Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, 25, is top of Arteta’s wishlist, unsurprising given their faltering firepower is one of the team’s biggest weaknesses.
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The Swede has 23 league goals this season and will not be let go easily, as the Carabao Cup winners hold out for £150million.
SunSport revealed that Eintracht Frankfurt star Hugo Ekitike, 22, is being targeted as a cheaper, £60m, alternative.
Other targets include long-desired RB Leipzig’s Sesko, 21, and Sporting’s Gyokeres, 26, with over 50 goals between them.
Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams is another attacking target but as with the previous names, could prove financially difficult due to his large wages.
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Final midfield strengthening will depend on how talks develop with Thomas Partey but there is already an agreement to splash out £51m on Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi, 26, with that deal expected to be confirmed in the coming weeks.
Finally, well-admired Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen is being explored as an option with Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens and Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia linked to the club as well.
Outgoings
In order to make space for the Gunners’ hopeful incomings, some fringe players may face the chop.
Oleksandr Zinchenko, Kieran Tierney and Gabriel Jesus are among those potentially being shown the door but the Brazilian forward’s knee injury has delayed the discussion of offers.
Defender Nuno Tavares, midfielders Fabio Viera and Albert Lokonga could also leave alongside Sterling who will return to Stamford Bridge at the end of his loan.
New contracts
Good news for Arsenal fans, the club are attempting to secure a new contract with beloved star Bukayo Saka.
Reports have said that talks are positive, with a shiny new deal looming that could make the 23-year-old one of the best-paid players in the league.
There are also plans to hand out new contracts to stars like William Saliba and Gabriel – with their current deals expiring in the summer of 2027.
Fellow Hale End graduates Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri, both 18, will also likely be offered improved contracts.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
