Arsenal have swooped for one star and are eyeing up two more as Mikel Arteta and the Premier League champions act in the summer transfer window
08:13, 21 Jul 2026
Mikel Arteta can splash the cash again this summer
Mikel Arteta can splash the cash again this summer
Arsenal are set to ramp up their summer transfer window business now the World Cup is over and Gunners trio Mikel Merino, Martin Zubimendi and David Raya were crowned champions with Spain.
Mikel Arteta and the Premier League champions kick off their pre-season preparations against Italian outfit Girona on Saturday, August 1, leading to the Community Shield - versus last season's runners-up Manchester City - on Sunday, August 16.
In the meantime, the Spanish coach will be hoping as many new acquisitions as possible can be confirmed so he can work with them ahead of the new campaign - especially as he has injury issues to contend with. Here's all the latest news from the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta.
Mikel Arteta is ready for a host of new arrivals(Image: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
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Arsenal steal a march on Spurs
Elijah Upson (R) playing for Tottenham Hotspur
Arsenal have swooped for Elijah Upson(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal have secured a deal for young talent Elijah Upson, 18, son of former Gunners defender Matt.
The teenager was previously part of Tottenham's ranks and Roberto De Zerbi's team tabled him a new professional contract, only for the Gunners to swoop in, reports the Mirror.
The centre-back, who celebrated his 18th birthday in March, made 23 appearances across all competitions for Spurs' youth teams last season.
He was at the heart of the defence in a 4-1 north London derby victory in the Under-18 Premier League, with Emerson Nwaneri netting Arsenal's solitary goal.
Elijah's dad Matt, 47, was a Premier League victor with Arsenal in the 2001/02 season. He also turned out for Birmingham, West Ham, Stoke and Leicester in the top flight and represented England at the 2010 World Cup.
Surprise Stones move considered
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MARCH 07: John Stones of Manchester City celebrates victory following the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Newcastle United and Manchester City at St. James' Park on March 07, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
John Stones is a proven winner available on a free transfer(Image: George Wood/Getty Images)
England defender John Stones is available on a free transfer this summer and Arsenal have surfaced as an unexpected contender.
As per The Sun, the Gunners view the 32-year-old centre-back as a potential short-term, cost-effective solution following the loss of William Saliba to a lengthy injury - despite the England man being injury prone himself.
Stones departed Manchester City at the end of June after over a decade at the Etihad Stadium. Mikel Arteta was part of the coaching team under Pep Guardiola at the Citizens for a portion of that time, so he's already well acquainted with the former Everton centre-back.
Arsenal are yet to establish how long they anticipate being without Saliba, who exacerbated a back injury at the World Cup.
However, with French media hinting he could be sidelined for up to five months, Stones - also on Inter Milan's radar - could help fill a defensive void.
Bradley Barcola latest
Bradley Barcola (France) during Round of 16 FIFA World Cup 2026, Paraguay and France, Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia, United States on July 04 2026. (Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Bradley Barcola's price tag has been set by PSG(Image: NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Speculation linking Arsenal with Bradley Barcola refuses to fade, as the winger remains the subject of transfer talk regarding a potential departure from PSG.
With merely two years left on his contract and a possible eagerness to quit the club, there exists a window of opportunity for any side prepared to pursue his signature.
According to David Ornstein on the Athletic FC podcast, any transfer for the 23-year-old won't come at a bargain price.
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He saaid: "Bradley Barcola has been mentioned, but we don't know of active movements from Arsenal on Barcola at this moment in time. Barcola is a player Liverpool really like... PSG's standpoint is that they do not want to sell him, they would like to keep him, they'd like to renew him.
"Even if they are to sell him, the price in their mind would be higher - considerably, I think - than, say, Elliot Anderson's move from Nottingham Forest to Manchester City (£116m) because this is a player who has won Champions Leagues, competed at the highest level for club and country, scores goals, assists goals, you have got to pay the market rate.
"He does have two years to go on his contract, he doesn't appear to be signing, he appears to be open to moving."