Despite years of issues with the board, Arsenal have become known as a club who are not afraid to splash the cash in the transfer market over the last couple of years.
The Gunners have spent upwards of £500m in the last four years, to help Mikel Arteta transform the club into consistent Premier League title challengers.
The Spaniard has done exactly, but has fallen at the final hurdle in each of the last three seasons - twice to Manchester City and once to Arne Slot’s Liverpool.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reacts
However, with just three games to go in 2025/26, his side are now in pole position to end their 20-year title drought and hand a generation of fans moments to last a lifetime.
The success on the field will only make the North London outfit a more attractive proposition to transfer targets, which could see even more arrivals during the upcoming window.
Arsenal's most expensive signings of all time
Player
Declan Rice
Nicolas Pepe
Eberechi Eze
Kai Havertz
Viktor Gyokeres
Martin Zubimendi
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Noni Madueke
Arsenal enter talks to land top-level midfield star
In an attempt to add further depth and quality to the midfield department, the Arsenal hierarchy have been working hard to identify reinforcements ahead of the summer window.
Former Nottingham Forest star Danilo has emerged as just one transfer target, after recapturing his best form after joining homeland club Botafogo last summer.
danilo-botafogo
He would be a cost-effective addition during the upcoming window, with the 25-year-old only expected to cost around the £35m mark when the market opens.
He’s not the only player currently being tracked by the recruitment team at present, with Atalanta star Ederson another option who’s available ahead of the off-season.
According to Football London, Technical Director Andrea Berta has already entered talks with the player’s representatives over a potential move to the Emirates.
The report also states that Atlético Madrid hold a long-term interest in the Brazilian, but are currently looking at other targets to improve their own midfield.
Ederson-Atalanta
The 26-year-old would also be another valuable addition for Arteta’s side, with the 26-year-old available for a fee in the region of just £40m this summer.
Why Ederson would make Rice unstoppable at Arsenal
As part of the recent influx of spending at Arsenal, midfielder Declan Rice is just one player who has made a big-money transfer to bolster the Gunners’ senior ranks.
Declan-Rice-Arsenal-Leverkusen
The Englishman cost a staggering £105m in the summer of 2023, but it has proved to be money well spent given his incredible performances at the Emirates.
He’s produced so many moments of magic, but his two free-kick goals against Real Madrid in the Champions League will no doubt be the highlight of his career to date.
As a result of his tremendous displays in the Premier League this term, he’s in contention to win the division’s Player of the Season award - further proving he’s been worth every penny.
Rice has largely operated in a box-to-box role, handing him free rein to cause carnage with the ball at his feet in front of goal - whether that be with goals or assists.
Most G+A for Arsenal in the PL (2025/26)
Player
Viktor Gyokeres
Bukayo Saka
Leandro Trossard
Declan Rice
Eberechi Eze
Jurrien Timber
Mikel Merino
Gabriel
However, a deal for Ederson could see the Gunners land a new holding midfielder who will sit in front of the back four and allow the Englishman to have fewer defensive duties.
His stats from the current campaign in Italy highlight his quality at breaking up the play, which could make him the perfect summer signing for Arteta’s men ahead of 2026/27.
ederson-atalanta
The Brazilian, who’s been dubbed the "strongest defensive midfielder in the world" by Damiano Er Faina, has made a staggering 2.4 successful tackles per 90 this campaign.
Such a figure ranks him in the top 15% of midfielders in the division, subsequently highlighting his phenomenal ability to regain possession for his side.
He’s also made 5.5 ball recoveries and 1.2 successful interceptions per 90, which only reaffirms his tremendous ability to read the game without the ball.
Ederson has been a dominant force over the last couple of months, as seen by his tally of 5.6 ground duels won per 90 - also ranking him in the top 20% of players in Serie A.
He’s also thrived when having the ball at his feet this campaign, as seen by his 89% pass completion rate, along with his tally of 1.1 chances created per 90.
When combining all the aforementioned stats, there’s no doubt the Atalanta star has all the tools to allow Rice the opportunity to reach the next level in his career.
AC Milan's Christopher Nkunku in action with Atalanta's Ederson
The Brazilian’s workmanlike style and quality in possession would allow the Englishman to operate further forward, whilst being provided the chances to impress, given Ederson’s passing ability.
£40m for a player of his quality in today’s market would be an excellent piece of business and one that could allow Arsenal to be a force to be reckoned with once more next term.
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