In just over 11 weeks' time, the summer transfer window will be shut and Premier League squads will be confirmed for the first half of the 2025/26 season.
Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta have already held a number of meetings to discuss potential transfer targets for Arsenal this summer, with a backup goalkeeper, defender, central midfielder, striker and possibly a wide forward all on the agenda, football.london understands. While the Gunners are expected to be incredibly busy over the next several weeks, no incomings have yet been confirmed.
Marquinhos, Nuno Tavares, Jorginho and Kieran Tierney have all already left the club and more exits are expected throughout the window. Deals are believed to be close for Kepa Arrizabalaga and Martin Zubimendi, while Benjamin Sesko appears to be the pick for the striker position.
The main summer transfer window opens on Monday and Arsenal supporters will be keen for their club to get a move on and start improving the squad. Any concerns are likely to come from the business Arsenal's rivals are doing, too.
Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Ait Nouri, Marcus Bettinelli and Rayan Cherki have joined Manchester City, Jeremie Frimpong and Giorgi Mamardashvili (a transfer agreed last summer) have joined Liverpool and Matheus Cunha has joined Manchester United. Chelsea have also already brought in Liam Delap, Dario Essugo and Mamadou Sarr.
On top of the above, Liverpool have agreed a club record fee to sign Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen. According to The Athletic, the deal is comprised of a €117.5million (£100million) upfront fee with a further €18.8million (£16million) in add-ons. If all add-ons are met, it will be a British record transfer.
Wirtz, 22, is seen as one of the brightest talents in world football and will add attacking flair to Arne Slot's midfield. The Germany international scored 16 goals and assisted 15 more in 45 appearances for Bayer Leverkusen during the 2024/25 campaign. Liverpool are also said to want to sign Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez, with the left-back available for around £45million.
Arsenal will not sweat too much over the aforementioned deals, with the Gunners said to be progressing nicely with their potential moves this summer. With the squad not returning for pre-season until early July, there is no rush as such to complete incomings but it's clear Arteta would favour squad additions before pre-season officially starts.
Wirtz's move to Liverpool perhaps sends a timely reminder to Arteta, Berta and Arsenal's players that the 2024/25 Premier League champions mean business yet again for next season. Exactly who the Gunners bring in in response remains to be seen.