According to rumors, Mikel Arteta has urged Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke to pay three additional high-profile recruits during the summer transfer window. The Gunners were the Premier League’s top spenders during pre-season, and they look prepared to wield their financial clout once more to bring in a new wave of talent when the bidding re-opens at the end of the season.
Arsenal had a difficult time in the January transfer window, failing to get players like Dusan Vlahovic and Arthur Melo despite their best attempts. They also released a number of players, including Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Calum Chambers, leaving their squad in a poorer position than at the end of December.
They have since been rumored to spend lavishly throughout the summer in order to bolster their ranks ahead of the start of the new season. A number of players have been connected with the Gunners in recent months, and it appears that Arteta has spent no time in devising his strategy for the upcoming transfer window.
In January, he flew to the United States for face-to-face conversations with Kroenke, during which a wide variety of key matters were thoroughly covered. According to football.london, Arteta has made no secret of his intention to sign at least three new players in order to strengthen their squad ahead of next season.
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Although the report does not mention any specific targets, it is stated that discussions were largely focused on the transfer market and that early preparations were drawn up with a view to the summer. However, with Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah set to become free agents at the end of the season, it is likely that Arsenal will want to recruit a first-choice striker as a priority.
Unless at least one new center-forward is signed between now and then, Folarin Balogun may be the club’s lone recognized marksman for the start of next season. A number of prospective attacking targets have recently been linked with the Gunners, including Real Sociedad talisman Alexander Isak and Lille’s Jonathan David.
Arsenal is also expected to sign a new central midfielder when the summer transfer window opens in order to improve on their present alternatives in the engine room. Former England striker Kevin Phillips recently advised Arteta to pursue the signing of Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse, who is well praised for his continuous strong performances and scary ability to make things happen from dead-ball situations.
“Technically, he’s a very, very talented player and a dead-ball expert,” Phillips said to Football Insider. “I imagine he’s the type of guy Arteta would want on his squad.” Could they evict him from Southampton? That is the query.
“He just signed a new contract, and I believe he’s pleased there.” If Arsenal came knocking, it would be a tremendous test, but he may be persuaded to join. He’d complement [Thomas] Partey nicely, and let’s be honest, there aren’t many better set-piece takers in the world than him.”
