Arsenal are seriously considering attempting to lure Borussia Dortmund star Jamie Gittens to the Emirates Stadium during the summer transfer window as there is a desire to relieve Bukayo Saka of pressure in the final third of the pitch heading into next season, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.
The Gunners have moved a step closer to making their first signing since Andrea Berta was appointed as their sporting director as Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi has verbally agreed personal terms with the north Londoners, but boss Mikel Arteta remains determined to upgrade his squad with further additions in the coming months.
With Raheem Sterling on course to return to Chelsea at the end of a loan spell which has seen Arsenal paying him £110,000-per-week, there is a desire to bring in further competition for the likes of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard on the left flank as they aim to end their wait for a Premier League title.
Gunners Viewing Gittens as a Premium Option
North Londoners confident 20-year-old could ease pressure on Saka
Jamie Gittens in action for Borussia Dortmund
Arsenal are taking a detailed look at the possibility of being able to strike a deal for Gittens, according to GMS sources, as they want to bring in a premium attacker to enable Saka to play with more freedom instead of having opponents putting more emphasis on stopping him in his tracks.
There is an awareness that it will take a lucrative offer to convince Borussia Dortmund to sell their 20-year-old fan favourite - with the Bundesliga heavyweights already giving indications that they will hold out for in the region of £80million for his signature - but the Gunners remain interested.
GMS sources have been informed that Arsenal have been monitoring Gittens' performances and, having seen him enjoy a productive season in the final third of the pitch, he could fit the bill as Berta and Arteta look to make a marquee signing in preparation for the 2025/26 campaign.
Jamie Gittens' statistics for Borussia Dortmund this season
The wide forward has been described as 'one of Europe's best dribblers' thanks to taking his career to another level at Borussia Dortmund and, with it not being a foregone conclusion that his current employers will be competing in the Champions League next term, there is hope that he could be persuaded to embark on a fresh challenge.
Arsenal are looking to secure an upgrade on Martinelli and Trossard as it has been acknowledged that it could bring the best out of Saka on the opposite side of the front three, GMS sources have learned, and Gittens is among an array of left-sided creative sparks being eyed as the summer transfer window edges closer.
Williams and Leao Identified as Other Targets
Arteta and Berta assessing market ahead of summer window
Nico Williams in action for Athletic Bilbao
GMS sources have been told that Athletic Bilbao talisman Nico Williams is a long-standing target for Arsenal, while there have also been links to Rafael Leao amid uncertainty over his long-term future at AC Milan, but Gittens is one name that they have looked at closely as they assess their options.
The 11-cap England under-21 international still has three years remaining on a contract worth close to £50,000-per-week at Signal Iduna Park, which could complicate matters as the Gunners aim to take the next step in their evolution under Arteta, resulting in them being eager to avoid solely focusing on him.
Arsenal have also refused to rule out the possibility of making a move for the likes of Eberechi Eze and Xavi Simons - who are currently at Crystal Palace and RB Leipzig respectively - as they could bring in an attacker with more versatility, GMS sources understand, but Gittens is firmly in their sights as a potential acquisition.
Bastian Schweinsteiger in action for Germany Related
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The north Londoners are also eager to recruit a first-choice striker, with GMS sources recently revealing that they have been planning to hold discussions with Viktor Gyokeres' agent to discover whether he would be interested in completing a switch from Portuguese heavyweights Sporting in the summer.
All statistics courtesy of Sofascore - correct as of 13/05/2025
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