Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, applauds the fans at the end of the pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and Real Betis Balompie at Aviva Stadium on August 05, 2026 in Dublin, Ireland
Mikel Arteta wants to further bolster his Arsenal squad(Image: Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Time is running out for Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta to add to Arsenal's squad this summer. So far, the Gunners have recruited Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge for around £34million while Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes has signed for £75m.
The Gunners have also brought in goalkeeper Illan Meslier from Leeds United on a free transfer. Piero Hincapie has joined on a permanent deal after spending last season on loan from Bayer Leverkusen.
Regarding the exit door, Leandro Trossard has joined Besiktas, and Jakub Kiwior has left for Porto. Karl Hein signed for Werder Bremen while Christian Norgaard moved to Everton.
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But there is more work to be done, having already missed out on Morgan Rogers and Vinicius Jr., with the further prospect of losing out on PSG winger Bradley Barcola's signature. Here, we take a closer look at two huge swap deals that have been spoken about this summer involving Arsenal, Marcus Rashford and a star with a staggering £432m release clause.
Viktor Gyokeres for
With Arsenal looking for a marquee attacker this summer, a move for ex-Man City star Julian Alvarez, currently playing for Atletico Madrid, is one name that's been linked. A spectacular swap deal, involving Viktor Gyokeres, was also touted earlier in the summer.
Since arriving from Sporting CP last summer for an initial £55m, Gyokeres has sometimes flattered to deceive, but he has become somewhat of a cult figure. He scored 21 goals across all competitions last year as Arsenal won the Premier League.
Arsenal have previously been linked with Julian Alvarez.
Arsenal have previously been linked with Julian Alvarez.(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
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The sticking point, however, is that Alvarez is said to be keen on a move to Barcelona, rather than a return to the Premier League. Another, is his astonishing £432m release clause.
Still, according to talkSPORT, Arsenal reportedly explored offering Gyokeres as a makeweight in initial talks with the La Liga side. However, football london clarified at the time that Gyokeres remained a key part of Arteta's plans. Indeed, the Swede featured earlier this week in the 1-1 draw with Como at the Emirates.
Arsenal's Swedish striker #14 Viktor Gyokeres applauds the team's supporters at the end of the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on April 19, 2026
Gyokeres may be sacrificed to help bring Alvarez(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
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Alvarez previously spoke of his desire to leave Madrid, with the suggestion that Barcelona was the Argentinian's ideal destination.
The 26-year-old returned his club for pre-season this week after an extended break due to the World Cup. ESPN have reported that Atleti boss Diego Simeone and Alvarez were set for talks this week to discuss his future.
Although any potential swap deal involving Alvarez may be off the table, Arsenal are still said to be interested in Alvarez, despite recent links to Victor Osimhen.
Myles Lewis-Skelly for Marcus Rashford
However unlikely it may seem on the surface, a deal bringing Manchester United's Marcus Rashford to Arsenal, with Myles Lewis-Skelly heading in the other direction, could prove beneficial to both clubs. The deal has been mooted by former Gunners' defender Lee Dixon.
“Would I swap them? You know what, I probably would,” Dixon said, speaking via BestBettingSites. “And that's nothing against Myles Lewis-Skelly; it's about giving him the freedom to go and expand his game elsewhere.”
“With Marcus Rashford, he's a player who needs an arm around his shoulder, and Arteta would be great for him. Give him that love, give him the freedom to play on that left side, and yeah, I'd like to see him in an Arsenal shirt."
Marcus Rashford looks on
Marcus Rashford was rumoured with a switch to Arsenal(Image: 2026 Manchester United FC)
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Rashford has not played for the Red Devils in 18 months after falling out of favour, owing to disagreements with ex-United managers Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim. A successful loan move to Barcelona followed, where he scored 14 goals.
The striker is back at Carrington for pre-season after the Catalan side decided against making his loan move permanent.
Myles Lewis-Skelly during the pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and Borussia Dortmund at Emirates Stadium.
Myles Lewis-Skelly has been linked with an Arsenal exit. (Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA, Getty Images)
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With competition at left-back in the Gunners' locker room as strong as ever, with Riccardo Calafiori, Piero Hincapie and Jurrien Timber all capable of playing the position, Myles Lewis-Skelly, 19, was ultimately pushed into midfield last season.
Bruno Guimaraes' arrival at the Emirates has only complicated matters. The Brazilian could further reduce the youngster's minutes this season with football.london reporting Lewis-Skelly has been offered to both United and Chelsea.