Arsenal are ready to take their transfer spending soaring beyond the £250m mark with reports claiming deals for two more players are closing in for the club’s busy sporting director Edu.
The Gunners enjoyed an excellent 2022/23 campaign, pushing all-conquering Manchester City hard in the title race. And while the wheels ultimately came off for Arsenal in the closing weeks of the season, Mikel Arteta and Co can reflect on a hugely-promising campaign.
Indeed, truth be told, Arsenal’s sole goal at the start of the campaign was to secure Champions League football. The fact they did that at a canter, together with pushing hard for the title, is no mean feat.
Now plans are firmly in place to ensure Arsenal further build on that next season.
To that end, the club are busily putting in place a number of superb signings designed to further improve their side. First up, Kai Havertz has signed in a big-money deal from Chelsea, with that move raising more than one or two eyebrows and being branded only a ‘marginal gain’.
The German will soon be followed across London by Declan Rice, with the Gunners striking a club-record deal for the West Ham talisman. The 24-year-old England star has been Arsenal’s No 1 target all year long. And while they have had to dig deep to secure his signing, the £105m deal will be a cause for real excitement at Emirates Stadium.
Those two deals alone take Arsenal’s spending up to £170m already; and by no means are they done yet.
Edu lines up signings three and four for Arsenal
Indeed, according to The Guardian, their busy sporting director is also making progress on two other signings.
First up, Arsenal plan to push through a deal to sign Jurrien Timber from Ajax. The Gunners saw an initial €35m (£30m) offer to the Dutch giants quickly palmed away.
However, following talks between the clubs, Arsenal have since raised that offer to €50m (£43.1m). That is much nearer to Ajax’s reported asking price of €55m – €60m and it’s expected a deal should not be too difficult to reach.
The Amsterdam giants are reportedly mulling over Arsenal’s offer. But with the 15-times capped Netherlands star having already agreed personal terms and making it clear he wants to make the move, there is a confidence on the Arsenal side that a deal can soon be done.
If that wasn’t enough, Arsenal next plan to sign Romeo Lavia from Southampton. The Gunners held positive talks over a deal for the teenager prior to agreeing a move to sign Rice.
However, rather than it being a case of one or the other, Arsenal now plan to sign the teenager in addition to the England man. The player excelled in a Southampton side that finished bottom of the Premier League in the season just gone. But he won’t be sticking around to help Saints in their push to make an immediate return.
Instead, Arsenal now hope to seal his signing for a figure in the region of £40m.
Deals for both players will take Arsenal’s spending soaring to around the £253m mark – quite the spending for Edu and Co.
Arsenal to sell duo as new-look midfield nears for Edu
With four new players on the way in, Arsenal will now look to move on those players who no longer figure in Arteta’s plans.
First up, Granit Xhaka is likely to complete his move away from the club after seven seasons at Emirates Stadium. He enjoyed his best campaign yet in the season just gone, completing a fine turnaround for the one-time problem player.
However, the capture of Rice will likely deem the 30-year-old surplus to requirements. As a result, he’s now expected to complete a move back the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen among his suitors.
The Gunners are also willing to listen to offers for Thomas Partey. Another regular last season, Arsenal are reportedly willing to move him on if a sizeable offer comes in. To that end, talk has grown over a possible lucrative move to Saudi Arabia.
Arsenal are also seemingly willing to sell striker Folarin Balogun after his impressive season in France with Reims. The Gunners are hoping to raise as much as €30m for the 21-year-old. AC Milan and RB Leipzig are among the sides keen.
One player who the Gunners are looking to hang on, however, is Emile Smith Rowe. The academy product was a big player for Arteta in the 2021/22 season, featuring 37 times.
However, his game-time was restricted in the season just gone, with the player making just 14 appearances in all competitions. Aston Villa are among those keen and are reportedly said to be preparing a big bid. Arteta, though, is keen to keep hold of the 22-year-old. And he plans to have him more involved as Arsenal look to challenge on four fronts.
About The Author
