Arsenal are now in club-to-club talks with a Premier League side over another transfer, as Mikel Arteta receives new sporting director Andrea Berta's full support in his attempts to end the Gunners' long wait for title glory.
andrea-berta-arsenal-premier-league Related
Berta holds Wednesday talks to sign £100k-a-week star who wants Arsenal move
The Italian is working behind-closed-doors.
Having already sealed confirmed deals for Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard, with the latter set to be announced shortly after completing a medical (David Ornstein), Arteta's side certainly aren't slowing down.
Arsenal appear determined to bridge the gap between themselves and English champions Liverpool, who won the league by a seismic 10 points last season, and Berta will be mindful of the excellent business their rivals have already conducted themselves this summer.
Arsenal transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports) Money on new signings
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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
25/26 - summer £65m
With Man City and Chelsea also making splashes in the market, competition at the top of the table will be rife, and Arsenal are attempting not to be left behind.
Reports suggest that Arsenal are in advanced talks to sign Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, and the Sweden international could well join them in time for their pre-season tour of Asia later this month.
Alongside the prolific 27-year-old, who netted an outstanding 54 goals in all competitions last season, Arsenal have held positive negotiations for Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze, who would join in a deal independent of the club's chase for a new left-winger.
Transfer shirt Eze
While Real Madrid's Rodrygo has been mooted as Arsenal's "dream" target in that area, Berta appears to be moving for Chelsea forward Noni Madueke as an alternative.
The England international has already agreed personal terms to join Arsenal, as widely reported, but there's been a slight wait for them to make formal contact with Chelsea.
However, it now appears that the wait is now over.
Arsenal open talks with Chelsea over "surprise" Noni Madueke deal
As per talkSPORT and other reliable media sources, Arsenal have opened club-to-club talks with Chelsea over signing Madueke, with the broadcast giant saying he's "emerged as a surprise candidate" to become their fourth signing of the window.
Chelsea-Madueke
It is believed that Chelsea value their man at north of £50 million, with reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano also sharing a key piece of information from his own sources, via X.
An initial bid has apparently gone in for Madueke, which is worth £50m including add-ons, but as things stand, that still won't be enough.
Chelsea want more than £50m as a fixed fee, not including add-ons, with the west Londoners referencing Anthony Elanga's £55 million move to Newcastle, among other similar deals, as a yardstick for Madueke's valuation.
Talks remain ongoing, and it appears there is still some ground to cover in negotiations before we can call this one a 'done deal'.
In terms of the 23-year-old's quality, he would be an excellent option, with Enzo Maresca even calling Madueke one of his "best players" from last season. It does plunge the futures of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard into serious doubt, though, and we wouldn't be surprised to see at least one of the duo depart before deadline day if Madueke is signed.