Arsenal's surprise summer transfer priority revealed

Stuart Telford

• 7 May 2023 09:33 BST
• 3 min read

Arsenal have been linked with a host of defensive midfielders - from Moises Caicedo to Declan Rice - in recent months, but their priority is a creative player according to David Ornstein.

As revealed by FootballTransfers on Tuesday, Mikel Arteta is set to be handed a summer transfer war chest of £200 million, the Spaniard having earned owner Stan Kroenke's full backing after an impressive season.

The Gunners led the Premier League without interruption before last month's 4-1 loss to champions Manchester City, and whilst disappointed to be knocked off top spot, they are assured of a first UEFA Champions League campaign in seven years next season.

READ: EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal boss Arteta set to be handed £200m summer transfer war chest

Arsenal had a £70 million bid for Caicedo rejected by Brighton in the winter transfer window, and while they are expected to go back in for the Ecuadorean if not West Ham's Rice, a more attacking midfielder is the priority.

'Admiration for Mason Mount'

"In front of that holding position, there is the feeling around the club that a bit more creativity is needed to supplement the likes of Martin Odegaard," reports the Athletic's David Ornstein. "And that's why there's admiration for Mason Mount."

Mount has refused to extend a contract which expires in 2024 at Stamford Bridge this season, with Liverpool also in the race for the England man's signature.

READ: England pair 'Arsenal-bound' claims 'super agent'

Mount has contributed three goals and six assists under three difference managers at Chelsea this season, and is unhappy not to have been offered similar terms to what fellow academy graduate Reece James received last September.

Mount is valued at €71.9m (£63.8m) per FootballTransfers' in-house algorithm. Ajax's Mohammed Kudus (€15.7m/£13.9m) is seen as a viable alternative in the No.8 position.

As well as bolstering the midfield, Arteta is reportedly interested in signing and out-and-out No.9, thus allowing Gabriel Jesus to occupy more than one position in the final third.

A move for Dusan Vlahovic - who spurned Arsenal to join Juventus from Fiorentina in January 2022- has been mooted. The club are likely to cash in on Folarin Balogun, who has scored 18 goals in 33 games on loan with Reims in Ligue 1 this season.