Arsenal’s 21-player summer transfer list leaked as two Spurs players included
The 21-player shortlist targeted for transfers by Mikel Arteta’s side this summer has been revealed, with raids on Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, and even both Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur planned.
According to Sami Mokbel, via BBC Sport, the Gunners compiled a 21-player shortlist this summer, featuring the likes of Morgan Rogers, Bradley Barcola, and Yan Diomande.
Chelsea, Liverpool and Real Madrid were able to secure signatures from those players ahead of Arsenal, with the Gunners’ sole attacking signing of the window arriving in Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge.
Arteta’s side even targeted three players from their London rivals: Joao Pedro from Chelsea, and both Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven from Tottenham Hotspur.
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Arsenal’s 20-player transfer shortlist revealed
Beyond Tzolis, the Gunners were also able to obtain signatures from Bruno Guimaraes, Piero Hincapie, Ezri Konsa and Illan Meslier, bolstering their defence and midfield.
Guimaraes stands tall as Arsenal’s signing of the summer, however, the club’s 20-player shortlist has revealed that Arteta was also pursuing Elliot Anderson, for a brief time.
The ex-Nottingham Forest midfielder signed for Manchester City in one of the Premier League’s most-expensive deals this summer, and Arsenal were made aware of Enzo Maresca’s interest.
As a result, Guimaraes emerged as the club’s primary focus by mid-June, accepting that Anderson’s transfer to the Cityzens was already too advanced.
Conversely, Tottenham Hotspur centre-back duo Romero and van de Ven were perceived as secondary options to begin with, in the event of Arsenal failing to secure Konsa’s services.
The former Villa man was Arteta’s first-choice defensive option, with his ability to play at right-back further alluring the Spaniard.
The Gunners’ wish came true, with Konsa signing in a deal worth £55 million; however, Villa initially rejected an offer for £40 million and appeared reluctant to part ways with the Englishman.
Mokbel’s report also revealed that Arsenal firmly believed they stood a "realistic chance" in signing Vinicius Junior from Real Madrid, before the Brazilian penned a new contract with his La Liga club.
Elsewhere, their pursuit of Julian Alvarez was one of slightly less conviction, as it became quickly apparent that the Argentine had little interest in joining the Gunners.
Additionally, Arsenal were given the option of matching Chelsea’s bid for Villa star Rogers, but refused to do so, standing firm in a valuation far below the £117 million it took from the Blues to secure his services.
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Arsenal's transfer shortlist in full
Morgan Rogers: Aston Villa
Bradley Barcola: PSG
Kenan Yildiz: Juventus
Yan Diomande: RB Leipzig
Nico Paz: Como
Eli Junior Kroupi: Bournemouth
Elliot Anderson: Nottingham Forest
Joao Pedro: Chelsea
Vinicius Junior: Real Madrid
Julian Alvarez: Atletico Madrid
Malick Fofana: Lyon
Sandro Tonali: Newcastle
Alex Scott: Bournemouth
Amadou Onana: Aston Villa
Jeremy Monga: Leicester City
Louis Page: Leicester City
Ivan Fresneda: Sporting Lisbon
Cristian Romero: Tottenham Hotspur
Mickey van de Ven: Tottenham Hotspur
Jacobo Ramon: Como
Tarik Muharemovic: Sassuolo
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