- 2 hours ago
Ten players who could transfer to Arsenal this summer
Stuart Telford
- 27 Apr 2023 17:54 BST
- 5 min read
Arsenal are set to bolster in the summer transfer window - whether or not they win the Premier League this season. Which players are at the top of Mikel Arteta's shopping list?
The Gunners did some impressive business last summer, notably acquiring Manchester City pair Garbriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko for a combined £77 million.
They have helped fire Arsenal to the top of the Premier League - even if former employers City are hot on their heels - and Arteta will be given the budget to go and strengthen his squad again next summer.
READ: England pair 'Arsenal-bound' claims 'super agent'
Whom might the Gunners buy? FootballTransfers looks at 10 of the most likely arrivals…
Arsenal want more strength in depth in midfield, and Youri Tielemans is a top transfer target to that end. The Leicester midfielder is out of contract at the end of the season, and would be a budget-friendly way to provide competition for Granit Xhaka, Martin Odegaard and Thomas Partey.
Dusan Vlahovic came close to joining Arsenal the winter before last, before leaving Fiorentina for Juventus instead. But with the Old Lady in legal and financial trouble, and the Gunners looking for a bona fide No.9, now could be the time to revisit such a deal.
Declan Rice is a man in demand having outgrown his environment at West Ham. One of the first names on Gareth Southgate's England teamsheet, Rice wants to add trophies to his footballing CV. Liverpool might also him a path to do that, but it is understood the former Chelsea academy player wants to stay in London.
Arsenal reportedly want Declan Rice next summer.
Could this team win (or even retain 👀) the Premier League? pic.twitter.com/CcyPYxqrez— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) January 17, 2023
Another England midfielder, Mason Mount has a slightly different profile to Rice, able to operate further up the field. Mount is refusing to sign a new contract at Chelsea - his current deal expires in June 2024 - and he could be available for a knock-down price this summer. Liverpool have also been linked.
Arsenal had a £70 million bid for Moises Caicedo rejected in the winter transfer window, but they could return for the Ecuadorean, with a bigger bid, this summer. Caicedo admitted recently that he wants to see Arsenal win the Premier League, and he could be among their number trying to do so next season if the Gunners stump up the cash.
One of the fastest players in Ligue 1, Lois Openda has caught Arsenal's scouts' eyes this season with his 17 goals and three assists for Lens, who look on course for surprise Champions League qualification. Valued at €29.5m by FootballTransfers in-house algorithm, so potentially cheaper than Vlahovic.
READ: Arsenal target Ligue 1 striker BETTER than Mbappe
With Hector Belerin now long gone and Ben White a centre-back by trade, Arsenal are also in the market for a right-back, and Real Valladolid wonderkid Ivan Fresneda has reportedly moved to the top of their wish list. "I like Arteta a lot because I think he's a great coach." He said recently. "I follow the European leagues and I think the work he's doing with his club is fantastic."
Vitor Roque
Another attacker, Athletico Paranaense prodigy Vitor Roque has previously admitted his love for Barcelona, but with the Blaugrana effectively bankrupt, Arsenal are well-poised to swoop in. The club's Brazilian contingent - sporting director Edu, star forward Gabriel Jesus and more - could prove key.
Vitor Roque is the top scorer at the South American U20 Championship with six goals in five games.
What European club will sign him? pic.twitter.com/Z6awnPlmJa— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) February 4, 2023
Yunus Musah is an Arsenal academy graduate who has thrived playing his football in Spain with Valencia in the three years since leaving on a free transfer, becoming a USMNT starter in that time. New York-born but with a British passport, Musah would count as a homegrown player, as well as bringing bundles of energy and talent back to the Emirates.
The Gunners are also looking for more strength in depth in the wide attacking areas, despite signing Leandro Trossard from Brighton in January. Pedro Neto could be the ideal candidate to that end. Arsenal were in for him last summer but Wolves wouldn't sell. Since then, injuries have held up his progress, and his value per FootballTransfers' in-house algorithm is €17.6m.
