Arsenal are closing in on two sealed transfers that promise to reshape the squad ahead of their Premier League title defence
05:00, 08 Jul 2026
Mikel Arteta manager / head coach of Arsenal celebrates with Leandro Trossard after the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Semi Final Second Leg match between Arsenal FC and Atletico de Madrid at Emirates Stadium
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Leandro Trossard is reportedly on the verge of joining Besiktas(Image: Getty Images)
Arsenal are poised to finalise two transfers that could significantly shape the remainder of their summer window. Piero Hincapie's £34.5million transfer remains the Gunners' sole completed signing to date but that appears set to alter in the imminent future.
The World Cup has complicated matters by occupying some of the world's elite talent. Nevertheless, that standstill will shortly become history after the tournament entered its concluding fortnight.
Mikel Arteta has matters to address regarding both incoming transfers and departures as a hectic July intensifies. football.london examines the latest whispers from north London as the Gunners assemble their resources ahead of pre-season.
Trossard closes in on exit
Leandro Trossard's representatives are reportedly preparing to travel to Istanbul for decisive discussions with Besiktas. The Black Eagles have been strongly linked with the Belgian winger for months and are now seemingly close to finalising the move.
Turkish publication Sabah claims Arsenal have reached an agreement for Trossard, believed to be worth approximately £15.5m. That represents a slight reduction on the £17million fee Trossard was previously reported to command.
It has also been reported Trossard's agent and lawyer were in London earlier this week, presumably to finalise matters with the Gunners from their end of the deal. However, confirmation is still awaited as to whether the Belgium international has given the thumbs up regarding personal terms.
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Earlier this summer, reports emerging from Turkey suggested Besiktas were falling considerably short of matching the player's expectations. Trossard was reportedly presented with an annual salary in the region of £8.3 million (roughly £160,000 a week) to join Saudi side Diriyah earlier this summer.
Speculation linking him with Besiktas has persisted despite those rumours, indicating they have the inside edge on the move. Another breakthrough could materialise in the very near future as Arsenal seek to generate some much-needed revenue.
Personal terms 'agreed' with France star
Manu Kone in action for France at World Cup 2026
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Manu Kone has reportedly already agreed personal terms with Arsenal(Image: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
France star Manu Kone could emerge as the first completely new arrival to join Arsenal this summer. Corriere della Sera has reported Arsenal have not only held discussions with his representatives but personal terms are already settled between both parties.
This would indicate the Gunners need only agree a fee with his current employers, Roma, and the player will join. Nevertheless, his participation with France at the World Cup this summer could delay negotiations to some degree.
Kone, who has the seal of approval from Gunners great Patrick Vieira, has featured in three of France's five World Cup matches so far this summer. That includes complete 90-minute outings in the group-stage victories over Norway and Iraq before another assured display in the last-16 encounter against Paraguay.
Roma are said to value the midfield anchor at approximately £43m, which would comfortably fall within Arsenal's financial constraints. The 25-year-old still has three years remaining on the contract he penned upon joining the Giallorossi from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2024.
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Arteta's midfield resources looked thin last season amid injuries to the likes of Mikel Merino and captain Martin Odegaard. Consequently, it seems Arsenal are determined to bring in at least one additional option this summer, with Kone apparently fitting that profile.