With a new sporting director in place, Arsenal are planning an aggressive summer
LISBON, PORTUGAL - NOVEMBER 22: Goal scorer Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting CP before the start of the Portuguese Cup match between Sporting CP and Amarante FC at Estadio Jose Alvalade on November 22, 2024 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)
Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images
After missing out on another Premier League title and a painful Champions League semi-final exit in Paris, Arsenal are heading into a summer that promises change.
Mikel Arteta and new sporting director Andrea Berta are united in their belief that the squad must be reshaped to overcome the fine margins that have kept silverware just out of reach.
The club’s primary focus is the forward line and Arsenal will finally prioritise the signing of a genuine centre-forward, with Alexander Isak viewed as the ideal, if perhaps unrealistic candidate.
Newcastle United’s Champions League qualification and their £150 million valuation make a deal there highly improbable.
Instead, Arsenal are advancing on Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyökeres.
LEIPZIG, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 28: Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and FC Augsburg at Red Bull Arena on September 28, 2024 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images
Sesko, 21, with 21 goals this season for RB Leipzig, fits the long-term profile Berta is eager to build around. Much of the groundwork has already been laid.
Gyökeres, who scored 38 league goals for Sporting CP, is a proven finisher with some suggesting Arsenal see him as their most realistic option.
On the left flank, Nico Williams of Athletic Club is the leading candidate to challenge Gabriel Martinelli, but his wage demands are said to be excessive. Other options include Rafael Leão at AC Milan and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens at Borussia Dortmund.
With Leandro Trossard exploring a move to Saudi Arabia, the Gunners will not stand in his way if he opts to leave.
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Leandro Trossard of Arsenal reacts after a missed chance during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final First Leg match between Arsenal FC and Paris Saint-Germain at Emirates Stadium on April 29, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images
In midfield, Martin Zubimendi is expected to join from Real Sociedad, with talks now at an advanced stage. His €60 million release clause has not deterred Arsenal, who see him as the long-term partner for Declan Rice.
Jorginho is set to depart on a free transfer to Flamengo, and Oleksandr Zinchenko could join Dortmund, having lost his place to Myles Lewis-Skelly and Riccardo Calafiori this season.
MADRID, SPAIN - MARCH 16: Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad celebrates after scoring his team's opening goal during the LaLiga match between Rayo Vallecano and Real Sociedad at Estadio de Vallecas on March 16, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images
Outgoings will also define the window. Arsenal are ready to sell Nuno Tavares, Fábio Vieira, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Reiss Nelson.
Tavares is expected to join Lazio permanently, with a £5 million clause in his loan deal. The Italians value him at around €40m and are considering selling him on immediately. If they do, Arsenal have a 40% sell-on clause also included in the deal, which is expected to go through in the first two weeks of June.
ROME, ITALY: Nuno Tavares of SS Lazio in action during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Genoa at Stadio Olimpico on October 27, 2024. (Photo by Marco Rosi - SS Lazio/Getty Images)
Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images
Vieira, currently at Porto, does not seem to have done enough to earn a permanent place back at Arsenal and will likely be sold, while Lokonga is unlikely to remain at Sevilla, who are suffering from financial issues after a poor season.
In addition, Max Dowman, who turns 16 in December, is being fast-tracked internally and could be included in the first team squad next season. Arteta is understood to be confident in his technical quality and maturity.
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 28: Max Dowman of Arsenal is tackled by Samuel Lusale of Manchester United during the FA Youth Cup Quarter Final match between Arsenal U18 and Manchester United U18 at Emirates Stadium on February 28, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by James Fearn/Getty Images)
Photo by James Fearn/Getty Images
Behind the scenes, Arsenal are also working on new deals for Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Gabriel, three cornerstones of the current project. With the spine of the squad largely intact, the strategy this summer is about finding those final pieces.
Arsenal are not far away, but they know this summer’s market must finally turn promise into trophies.
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