Mikel Arteta will be hoping Andrea Berta splashes the cash this summer. Despite injuries to numerous key players, Arsenal were reluctant to welcome any new faces to the Emirates Stadium in the January transfer window.
The Gunners soldiered on with their thin squad, but they quickly fell behind Liverpool in the title race and crashed out of the Champions League, too. So, in the coming weeks, Arteta wants Berta to bolster his squad depth, 'adding goals and creativity'.
football.london understands that the Spaniard wants to get business done quickly. The new sporting director has already offloaded a few players and handed out a couple of contract extensions, but he's yet to make a first signing.
So, with that being said, football.london has rounded up the latest Arsenal news and transfer gossip;
Arsenal handed fresh Rodyrgo hope
According to the The Mirror, Real Madrid may be willing to let Rodrygo leave for £70m. The 24-year-old winger has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal for a while now, as Arteta looks to bolster his attacking options.
The report claims that Xabi Alonso may be willing to do business despite ruling out Rodrygo's departure earlier this summer. The Mirror add that the Gunners hold 'genuine interest' in the Brazil international, but it remains to be seen whether Los Blancos' price tag will entice Berta.
football.london says: "Arsenal need to sign Rodrygo. The Gunners need to test the waters with a bid."
Bayern want to sign Arsenal star
According to German outlet Bild, Bayern Munich want to sign Gabriel Martinelli this summer. The report claims that the Bundesliga champions have expressed their 'interest' in the £47m-rated Arsenal winger - with Vincent Kompany keen to bolster his options on the flanks.
Leroy Sane recently left Bayern to join Galatasaray on a free transfer. Bild reckons that the German giants also have Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo on their radar, as well as Jamie Gittens.
football.london says: "In an ideal world, Arsenal cash in on Gabriel Martinelli and use those funds to sign someone like Rodrygo, Rafael Leao or Bradley Barcola. That said, I can't see Bayern Munich actually going for the Gunners star. I think they'll go for Jamie Gittens - they love snatching the best talent from their Bundesliga rivals ..."
Arsenal frustrated by Sesko 'demand'
According to The Sun, Arsenal have grown frustrated in negotiations - with Benjamin Sesko asking for a contract much greater than what they had in mind. The report claims that the Gunners will pay RB Leipzig the £70m asking price, but personal terms have proven difficult to agree.
Earlier this month, Sesko's agent quashed rumours that Leipzig are under pressure to offload the striker. Speaking with GiveMeSport, Elivis Basanovic said: "Even if there may be or will be a strong desire of the player to move to a certain club, we will never force or blackmail RB Leipzig.
"I believe this is not the right way, because the way you actually exit from the club shows your values. Values that you are bringing into a new club."
football.london says: "I'm intrigued to know the details of what contract Arsenal had in mind and exactly how that compares to what Benjamin Sesko has demanded. The Gunners have every right to walk away from a deal if the striker is asking for too much. It's quite worrying that he's seemingly prepared to price the north Londoners out of a move, uncontested. Maybe Sesko wants to stay at RB Leipzig..."
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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