REVEALED: The three players Arsenal want to sign first

Tom Hancock

16 May 2023 12:49 BST
3 min read

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, 2022/23 — © ProShots

Arsenal hope to sign Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby and Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi this summer, after potentially sealing a deal for Declan Rice.

Article continues under the video

West Ham skipper Rice is said to still be the Gunners’ top target for the next transfer window – but there are bound to be numerous new faces through the door at the Emirates Stadium as Mikel Arteta and co. prepare for the club’s first Champions League campaign since 2016/17.

But Arsenal could have to spend more than €200m to get their hands on all three of those players – with Rice alone possibly setting them back over €115m (£100m).

According to Metro, though, the Gunners are so determined to secure Rice’s services that they won’t work on any other transfer until they’ve landed the 24-year-old England midfielder – who is about to enter the final 12 months of his West Ham contract.

Nonetheless, Guehi and Diaby appear to remain high up Arsenal’s list of priorities as they look to add depth to their squad – a lack of which in certain departments has arguably cost them the Premier League title.

That could certainly be said to be the case at the back – where William Saliba’s absence through injury has coincided with a dramatic downturn in form for Arteta’s side.

© ProShots - Rice has also been linked with Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea

Is Guehi going to be a Gunner?

Guehi – who has made a big impact since joining Crystal Palace from Chelsea last summer and occasionally captained the Eagles – would represent a marked upgrade on Rob Holding, who has struggled while filling in for Saliba.

There is believed to be a buy-back clause in Guehi’s contract – although the Blues seem unlikely to re-sign the 22-year-old England international, who Palace are said to value at roughly €51m (£45m).

As for Diaby, Leverkusen are thought to be reluctant to let the 23-year-old France international leave – unsurprisingly, considering he’s their top scorer with 14 goals this term – but an offer of around €50m may be enough to tempt them.