Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta could add the final pieces to his squad in next year's transfer windows
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta could add the missing pieces to his squad in 2027(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
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Arsenal brought in several impressive summer signings but the squad still has room for improvement. The Gunners have arguably left Mikel Arteta’s side light in attack as the manager looks to take the club to new heights.
The additions of Ezri Konsa, Bruno Guimaraes and Christos Tzolis should undoubtedly help Arsenal’s bid to retain the Premier League title. However, Arteta called on the club to be ambitious in the transfer after losing out to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final.
“We will have to start making some very important decisions if we want to reach another level,” Arteta said. “We are going to have to show that ambition because we are more than capable of doing it, but it is going to demand us to be very ambitious, very fast and very smart.”
While Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior or Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez would have fit the bill this summer, the Gunners will soon start formulating plans on how to bolster the squad in 2027. Here, football.london looks at five players the club could target in the near future.
Julian Alvarez
The transfer saga ended with Alvarez remaining with Atletico Madrid. Despite the Argentina international reportedly preferring a move to Barcelona, the forward’s stance could change over the next few months. If Arsenal were to pull off a coup for Alvarez, the 26-year-old could have a transformative effect on the club’s frontline.
Eli Junior Kroupi
Bournemouth were adamant that Kroupi would not be sold this summer and their stance was helped by the 20-year-old recovering from injury. The talented striker captured attention by scoring 13 league goals for the Cherries last term and Arsenal held an interest in Kroupi ahead of the summer transfer window, football.london understands .
The Independent reports that Kroupi will “almost certainly” be an option the Gunners consider again in January. His arrival would significantly boost Arteta’s options, in the short and long-term, with Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres jostling to be the club’s number nine.
Eli Junior Kroupi of Bournemouth
Arsenal could choose to make a move for Bournemouth's Eli Junior Kroupi(Image: Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
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Andreas Schjelderup
Should Arsenal be prepared to wait until next summer for a new left-winger, Benfica star Andreas Schjelderup could prove to be a bargain. New signing Tzolis is currently competing with Eberechi Eze on the left flank after the Gunners opted to cash in on several forwards this summer.
Schjelderup’s deal runs until 2028, meaning the Norway international will enter the final 12 months of his contract next summer, potentially leading to a cut-price fee. The 22-year-old is a bright spark with plenty of room for improvement.
Raphinha of Barcelona
Raphinha has two years left on his Barcelona contract(Image: David Ramos/Getty Images)
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Raphinha
A left-winger who would offer Arsenal a quick fix out wide. The 29-year-old is Barcelona captain but will be in the final year of his contract next summer.
The Brazilian has immense quality, scoring 80 goals and providing 60 assists in 180 games for the Catalan club. A move for Raphinha would also see Arsenal benefit from his experience and winning mentality.
Karou Mitoma
Arsenal could repeat their Leandro Trossard transfer trick by snapping up Karou Mitoma as a ready-made Premier League star from Brighton. While not a long-term strategy, the 29-year-old is in the last year of his contract and could flourish in Arsenal’s team, either as a cheap January signing or as a free agent next year.