Arsenal have many different transfer plates spinning behind-the-scenes right now, according to reports, with sporting director Andrea Berta attempting to make progress on key summer deals.
Arsenal poised to sign Kepa and Zubimendi amid new striker talks
While there were some concerns that Real Madrid would hijack Arsenal's move for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, The Athletic's David Ornstein moved to reassure supporters this week that the Spain international is firmly on track to join Mikel Arteta's side.
Benjamin-Sesko-Leipzig Related
£67m player prioritising Arsenal move as agent holds meeting, it's not Sesko
He's pretty keen on a move to north London.
The delay in announcing Zubimendi's capture is apparently down to financial reasons, with Sociedad keen to register the 26-year-old's sale as part of the next financial year, which commences in July (AS).
Arsenal transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports) Money on new signings
19/20 - winter £0
20/21 - summer £81.5m
20/21 - winter £900k
21/22 - summer £156.8m
21/22 - winter £1.8m
22/23 - summer £121.5m
22/23 - winter £59m
23/24 - summer £208m
23/24 - winter £0
24/25 - summer £101.5m
24/25 - winter £0
Arsenal are poised to sign Zubimendi after months of talks, and barring a late unmitigated disaster, Gunners chiefs consider the deal for him as "done" (David Ornstein).
Berta is also closing in on the signing of Chelsea outcast Kepa Arrizabalaga as their second-choice keeper after missing out on widely reported top target Joan Garcia to Barcelona.
kepa-bournemouth-premier-league-1
The Spaniard, who was deemed surplus to requirements by Enzo Maresca, is set to finalise a £5 million move from Stamford Bridge, following a productive loan spell at Bournemouth last season.
Kepa's imminent arrival has been praised by critics too, who call him an "absolute steal".
"Arsenal have acted really quickly after it became clear that Joan Garcia would not be arriving from Espanyol this summer and have all but wrapped up a really smart piece of business," said journalist Charles Watts to CaughtOffside.
“Landing a keeper like Kepa for just £5 million is an absolute steal. I’m honestly baffled at how there seems to be some who are questioning it.
“You are talking about a keeper approaching his best years who has plenty of experience and is a senior international. He had a very good season on loan at Bournemouth last season and the season before he helped Real Madrid win the Champions League while he was there."
Amid these two moves, Arsenal continue working on signing a new striker.
Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres celebrates scoring their third goal to complete his hat-trick
Two names have dominated the headlines - RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko and Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres.
Arsenal have been in negotiations with Leipzig over Sesko, but are yet to find an agreement on price, which has perhaps led them to try their hand at an offer for Gyokeres instead.
Arsenal submit "concrete offer" for Viktor Gyokeres
According to Portuguese newspaper Record, Sporting and the Sweden international have received Berta's opening bid.
gyokeres-sporting
The Italian held a summit with Sporting's general director of football, Bernardo Palmeiro, in Spain earlier this week. During these talks, Arsenal submitted their "first concrete offer" for Gyokeres, which came in at around £55 million including add-ons.
Unfortunately, this is very unlikely to be anywhere near enough, as Sporting president Frederico Varandas confirmed to the media this week that the 27-year-old star striker would not be leaving for nearly £60m.
Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres kisses the trophy as he celebrate after winning the Taca de Portugal
Gyokeres' situation in the Primeira Liga is becoming very toxic, with the player uploading a cryptic Instagram post after Varandas' comments that he would not be blackmailed into selling him.
In his post, Gyokeres addressed the "false" talk regarding his future, potentially aimed at Varandas' statements to the media.
Having scored 54 goals in all competitions last term, guiding Sporting to their first domestic double in decades, the centre-forward's future has now turned into a soap opera, and Arsenal could look to take full advantage.
If the north Londoners do make progress in negotiation, it is believed by some media sources that Gyokeres is demanding around £250,000-per-week to join any suitor (The Mirror).