Mikel Arteta faced the media ahead of Arsenal's clash with Manchester City in the FA Community Shield on Sunday - and transfers were high up on the agenda
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal have been linked with a summer transfer swoop for Ezri Konsa.
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal have been linked with a summer transfer swoop for Ezri Konsa.(Image: (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images))
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Mikel Arteta refused to comment on Arsenal’s interest in Jarell Quansah and Ezri Konsa - but did admit he wants to improve his squad in the remaining days of the transfer window. The Gunners have expressed interest in signing Jarell Quansah from Bayer Leverkusen, while they have also held further talks over a transfer for Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa.
The development comes after the Gunners were unwilling to meet Villa’s £60million valuation for Konsa. While it is being reported that Quansah is open to the Premier League champions and could be a cheaper option than Konsa, whom Arsenal value at about £45million.
But when asked about his side’s interest in the pair, Arteta replied: “I cannot comment. We want to improve the squad and we have detected areas that we can strengthen and we hope we can do it.”
Before he added on transfers: “We are trying to do the maximum that we can to be in the next 14 days to be in the best possible condition.”
On the prospect of outgoings and incomings ahead of the window closing, Arteta admitted: “It is always the case. We will have to see how the market responds.”