- 13 hours ago
Five Arsenal targets to watch at Euro 2024
Several Arsenal targets will be in action at Euro 2024.
The Gunners will be keenly watching this summer's major tournament in Germany ahead of what is bound to be a massive transfer window. Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu are desperate to bolster their side yet again in a bid to finally beat Man City to the Premier League title.
Arsenal will pay close attention to how their targets perform on the biggest stage under huge pressure to help them decide on who to sign come July and August. Handling the pressure of a European Championship will be a good sign that a player is capable of handling the pressure of a Premier League title race.
Below, FootballTransfers runs through five Arsenal targets to watch at Euro 2024...
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Martin Zubimendi (Spain)
Real Sociedad's star midfielder, Martin Zubimendi has enjoyed several very good seasons and will get a chance to show off his talents for Spain. The Basque is yet to become a regular starter under Luis de la Fuente, but the 25-year-old is a player greatly admired by Arteta and company.
Hailing from the same hometown as the Arsenal boss, Zubimendi has been a Gunners target for well over a year. His €60 million release clause makes him relatively affordable, but the player has thus far given no indication that he is willing to leave his boyhood club.
READ MORE: Five Man Utd targets to watch at Euro 2024
Nico Williams (Spain)
Arsenal will also pay close attention to Zubimendi's compatriot and teammate Nico Williams. A fellow Basque, playing for Athletic Club domestically, Williams is one of Spanish football's biggest talents.
The 21-year-old looks set to play a big role for La Furia Roja in Germany and his performances at the tournament could decide his future. Arsenal have no qualms about paying his €50m-€60m release clause, but his wage demands are said to be a potential stumbling block, with Williams already earning very good money at his boyhood club in Bilbao.
Pedro Neto (Portugal)
Staying in Iberia, the next player Arsenal will keep an eye on is Pedro Neto. With him, it's not so much a case of seeing how he handles the pressure but rather to see how fit he is.
Arsenal are convinced of Neto's quality as a productive winger, but his fitness problems, particularly his hamstring issues, are a major worry. Neto missed 11 games for Wolves towards the end of the Premier League season, only making his return in a 12-minute cameo against Liverpool on the final day.
Despite this, Neto was included in Portugal's squad for Euro 2024. It will be interesting to see how much he will feature for his country.
Benjamin Sesko (Slovenia)
Already a talismanic striker for his country, Benjamin Sesko is looking to build on a very good debut season with RB Leipzig with some more standout performances in Germany. The 20-year-old was absolutely on fire after the Bundesliga winter break and he is already a regular fixture - and regular scorer - for his country, having made his debut at just 18.
Sesko is one of Europe's most in-demand forwards and his spectacular late-season form saw his release clause skyrocket from €50m to €65m. FootballTransfers exclusively revealed that the Slovenian is one of Arsenal's top summer targets.
Ivan Toney (England)
Despite only returning from his betting ban in January - and not being particularly prolific - Ivan Toney has been included in Gareth Southgate's Euro 2024 squad. The 28-year-old Brentford forward is expected to be on the move this summer.
Arsenal's interest in Toney has grown cold in recent months, but it seems unlikely that the Gunners would pass up the opportunity of signing an experienced, Premier League-proven striker if the opportunity were to present itself. A good tournament could put Toney firmly back on the Gunners' radar.