Arsenal to 'hold talks' over summer transfer

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 28 May 2024 19:17 BST
• 4 min read

Arsenal will reportedly hold talks with Austrian club Sturm Graz as they look to sign Gunners forward Mika Biereth on a permanent deal.

The 21-year-old spent the first half of last season on loan at Motherwell in Scotland before joining Sturm Graz on loan in January.

Biereth, a Denmark U21 international, scored nine goals and provided four assists in 22 games for Sturm Graz as they won the Austrian Bundesliga title for the first time since 2011. They also won the Austrian Cup for the second consecutive season.

READ MORE: Premier League summer transfers 2024 - All the Done Deals

Sturm Graz’s triumph in the Austrian top flight ended RB Salzburg’s 10-year winning streak and they are eager to sign Biereth on a permanent deal in a bid to defend their title next season.

Biereth has just one year left on his current contract at Arsenal and Mikel Arteta’s side will hold talks with Sturm Graz this week, according to The Evening Standard.

Sheffield Wednesday are also interested in signing Biereth following their 20th place finish in the Championship.

In March, FootballTransfers exclusively reported that Arsenal would look to include Biereth in their pre-season squad after his encouraging time out on loan, but Sturm Graz have ramped up their interest in the 21-year-old and the Gunners must make a decision on his future.

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Arsenal’s summer transfer business

This summer is set to be an extremely busy one for Arsenal as they look to finally dethrone Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.

Signing a new striker is deemed one of their key priorities, with Viktor Gyokeres, Benjamin Sesko and Joshua Zirkzee among their three preferred options.

In addition, the north London club have been heavily linked with signing a new defensive midfielder amid doubts over Thomas Partey’s future at the Emirates Stadium.

Aaron Ramsdale, Eddie Nketiah and Emile Smith Rowe could also leave following their limited involvement during the 2023-24 campaign.