Arsenal are preparing to return to action against Nottingham Forest this weekend, but an intriguing transfer story has now come to light courtesy of reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Mikel Arteta's side and Forest, now managed by former Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou, are the first Premier League sides back on the field in this Saturday's lunchtime kick off.
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Only a win will do for Arsenal, who lost their first game of the season against current English champions Liverpool prior to the international break, and they'll be hoping to upset Postecoglou's debut game in the Forest dugout with a convincing Emirates Stadium display.
Sporting director Andrea Berta did his all to back Arteta in the transfer market, splashing over £250 million on the signings of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera, Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze and Piero Hincapie, so there are no excuses for Arsenal now.
Arsenal's confirmed summer signings Price tag
Kepa Arrizabalaga £5m
Martin Zubimendi £60m
Christian Norgaard £15m
Noni Madueke £52m
Cristhian Mosquera £13m
Viktor Gyokeres £55m
Eberechi Eze £67.5m
Piero Hincapie Loan
The pressure is truly on for Arsenal to finally win their first Premier League title in over 20 years, following three consecutive campaigns finishing second behind Man City and Liverpool.
The signings of Eze and Gyokeres in particular will be vital, amid criticism surrounding Arsenal's lack of creativity in the final third — something which was on full display at Anfield last month.
Arsenal hijacked Tottenham to sign Eze in spectacular fashion, while Gyokeres' arrival ended the club's long wait for a prolific striker to come through the door.
Arsenal were also briefly in talks for Real Madrid forward Rodrygo, but according to Romano, the Brazilian wasn't the only Madrid player attracting serious interest from north London at one point.
Fabrizio Romano shares Arda Guler transfer revelation from Arsenal
Speaking on his YouTube channel, the respected reporter says that Los Blancos playmaker Arda Guler was also being seriously considered by former Arsenal director Edu Gaspar prior to Berta's arrival.
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Arda Guler at the Club World Cup with Real Madrid.
Arsenal held internal talks over signing Guler, who was a concrete target for the Gunners before Xabi Alonso came in and started using the Turkey international starlet on a much more regular basis.
“There was a club around October/November 2024 that was prepared to attack in case Carlo Ancelotti stayed for this season and in case Real Madrid opened the doors to an exit for Arda Guler,” began Romano.
“Something they never did, let’s be clear, and also Arda never did. But there was a club planning to attack before Xabi Alonso arrived and closed every single door.
“That club was Arsenal. Arsenal considered the possibility around October/November before Andrea Berta was appointed as the new director."
Guler has gone on to become a starter under Alonso, playing all of their La Liga matches so far, not to mention all of their matches at the Club World Cup. This has ruined all possibility of Arsenal signing the 20-year-old, but he was seriously under consideration at N5.
“So they considered the possibility,” continued Romano.
“But then new director at Arsenal, Andrea Berta. New coach at Real Madrid, Xabi Alonso. New life at Real Madrid starting more games, so no chance, it didn’t become a negotiation.
“But I can guarantee to you that in internal conversations Arda Guler was a topic at Arsenal.”
Guler has bagged two goals and three assists in nine starts since Alonso took charge, with the ex-Fenerbahce sensation's Bernabeu career finally getting off the ground.