Arsenal are pushing to wrap up their summer transfer business, with a reported £60m-plus swap deal being mooted
Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal during the pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and Borussia Dortmund at Emirates Stadium on August 9, 2026 in London, England.
Gabriel Martinelli could leave Arsenal in a swap deal(Image: Jacques Feeney/Offside, Offside via Getty Images)
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With the summer transfer window set to close in just 10 days’ time, Arsenal are working to finalise their remaining business.
The north Londoners have moved swiftly and decisively in recent weeks, bringing in two established Premier League performers — Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle for £75million and now Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa for £51m. These high-profile additions come off the back of shrewd recruitment earlier in the window.
Goalkeeper Illan Meslier joined on a free transfer as back-up cover, while Christos Tzolis arrived from Club Brugge for £34m and has made an immediate impression. The Greek winger delivered two assists on his competitive debut as Arsenal ran out 3-0 winners against Manchester City in the Community Shield.
Few would argue against Arsenal being the team to beat this season, and the reigning Premier League champions begin their title defence at home to newly-promoted Coventry City this evening.
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Despite an already busy window, manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta are not done yet. Here, football.london takes a look at two of the key stories currently surrounding the club.
Yildiz-Martinelli swap plan emerges
Kenan Yildiz of Juventus during the Pre-season Friendly match between Juventus and Juventus Next Gen at Allianz Stadium on August 17, 2026 in Turin, Italy.
Arsenal want to sign Kenan Yildiz(Image: Alberto Gandolfo - Juventus, Juventus FC via Getty Images)
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Arsenal's hunt for Kenan Yildiz could reportedly see the Gunners put Gabriel Martinelli forward as part of a swap arrangement with Juventus. Arteta's desire to bring in a world-class left winger this summer is well known, with Juventus star Yildiz understood to be one of his dream signings.
The Turkey international, 21, put pen to paper on a new contract earlier this year, extending his deal through to 2030. Juventus are therefore expected to demand a substantial fee for their prized asset.
The Independent reports that the Italian giants would seek in excess of £60m to sanction his departure, though one potential avenue that has been mooted is for Arsenal to send Martinelli in the opposite direction.
The report suggests such an arrangement would require considerable negotiation, as swap deals invariably do. Arsenal have made Martinelli available this summer in a bid to balance the books as they look to secure a marquee attacking addition.
The Gunners reportedly turned down a £38m approach from Galatasaray last week and are holding firm for a more substantial offer, despite the Brazilian wide man preferring to stay in north London. Yildiz's £60m valuation would be far more in line with how Arsenal rate Martinelli, suggesting a swap deal supplemented by an additional cash sum could be the key to tempting Juventus into a deal.
Konsa given stamp of approval
Ezri Konsa reacts
Arsenal agreed a deal to sign Ezri Konsa earlier this week(Image: Neal Simpson/Allstar, Getty Images)
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Rio Ferdinand has heaped praise on Arsenal's signing of Ezri Konsa. The Manchester United icon described it as "magnificent signing" and insisted that securing the England international for such a fee represents a "steal".
Offering his thoughts on his YouTube channel, Ferdinand said: "I think this is a magnificent signing. A player in his prime who knows exactly who he is and what he is. There's no frills about him. He's a solid, really, really, really good Premier League defender.
"I think it's an absolute steal in today's market. 28 years old, minimum four or five years of really, really solid, dependable service, and he provides vital cover in two areas: centre-half and right-back.
"You've got Ben White, who seems fit now, but has had injuries in the right-back area. You've got Timber, who hasn't been able to stay fit as well, and William Saliba's injury concerns as well.
"He's going to be great cover. Someone who can come in there and just play straight away, no questions asked. And that versatility at the top level, the reliability as well, both right-back and centre-half, absolute steal."
He went on to add: "If you go and get him, that just reinforces why I think Arsenal are going to go and win the league again, because it's a sensible and very good signing."
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