Arsenal’s key targets in the summer transfer window

Arsenal are in the midst of their best season for 20 years and despite dropping points in their last two matches, they are four points clear at the top of the table with seven games to go and remain on course to claim their first Premier League since 2004. Manchester City are hot on their heels as they chase down an unprecedented treble but for the Gunners to be in this position after where they were last year is truly remarkable. Mikel Arteta has orchestrated a remarkable turnaround at the Emirates and a lot of credit has to go to his sporting director Edu who put together one of the club’s best summer transfer windows in recent memory and followed it up with a similarly successful January that strengthened their title charge. Zinchenko, Jesus, Jorginho, Trossard, Saliba, they’ve all made fantastic contributions to Arsenal’s superb season, catapulting the North London club to within touching distance of the Premier League crown. Courtesy of their outstanding accomplishments to date, the Gunners will also be making a return to Europe’s top table next season and whether Arsenal manage to seal the title or not, they will be hoping to compete again next year. For that the Spaniard will need to bolster his ranks in the summer so here’s a look at some of the key targets to look out for in the upcoming transfer window.

Declan Rice

With the expectation of Champions League football returning to the red half of North London, the club will likely look to consolidate their current position and go after players who they were previously unable to lure to the Emirates without the promise of competing in Europe’s elite club tournament. One such footballer is 24-year-old England international Declan Rice. It is rumoured that the midfielder has become Arsenal’s top transfer target this summer and the prospect of signing West Ham’s main man has improved after this season’s performance. Arsenal are 6/4 to sign Declan Rice this summer according to different betting sites in the uk. Rice looks certain to move away from the London Stadium this transfer window as his contract runs out and he makes clear his aspirations to play Champions League football. There is no doubt he would make an excellent addition to Arteta’s squad as his off the ball workrate demonstrates. No midfielder has made more tackles than him this season and only three have made more interceptions. Better still, his ability to recycle the ball is second to none. The signing of Jorginho understandably dampened speculation in January but with a recent return to form for the Hammers, the rumour mill started turning again. He has demonstrated his ability to win the ball back, pick the right pass and protect his defence time and time again this season and that’s exactly the kind of player Arteta will be looking for this summer.

Moises Caicedo

Another midfielder making his mark in the Premier League this season is Ecuadorian international Caicedo. The Brighton player has become one of the league’s best players during his spell at the Amex with his form drawing the attention of plenty of clubs this January, but in particular Arteta’s Arsenal. The biggest story leading into deadline day in January was Caicedo who the Gunners made two substantial offers for with Caicedo even writing an open letter to the club’s board requesting the deal to go through. To his disappointment it didn’t work out. Arsenal opted for Jorginho instead in a move that has proven to be a great bit of business, but with Caicedo continuing to make significant contributions to the Seagull’s European push in Robert De Zerbi’s side there’s a good chance Arteta will try his hand once again this summer despite the midfielder signing a contract extension. Whether the south coast club will be comfortable parting ways with a player who was crucial in helping them break into European football is yet to be seen, but either way Arsenal will be keeping tabs on the young talent.

Dusan Vlahovic

A massive concern for Arsenal midway through the season was the potential for Gabriel Jesus’ injury to derail their title charge but Eddie Nketiah stepped into the fold and did an incredible job in the Brazilian’s absence. The young Englishman has netted four times, twice in a hugely significant win over Manchester United at home, and with the help of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard the Gunners managed well. However, the dilemma brought concerns that they may lack depth up top and while the Spaniard will be delighted with the duo’s work this year, he will likely be keen to add to his attacking options. The two are very similar in style and if Arteta is looking for something a bit different to improve his tactical choices Juventus’ Vlahovic is the standout candidate. The Serbian has netted 31 times in the last two seasons with Fiorentina and Juventus and according to reports Arsenal are leading the race to sign the striker. He still has three years left on his deal in Turin so the expected fee would likely exceed £80 million but for a young prospect with proven goalscoring pedigree, he could be the man Arsenal are looking for.

Ivan Fresneda

This 18-year-old Spaniard was an unknown entity to most before Arsenal became interested in signing the right-back this January, but since then he has caught the attention of many an interested party across Europe. Juventus, Borussia Dortmund and even Newcastle are all keen on signing the defender this summer but it is once again Arsenal who are leading the charge for the youngster’s signature. He ultimately remained with LaLiga side Real Valladolid in January but it is expected he will depart from the Spanish outfit this summer to test his mettle with one of Europe’s top sides. The teenager has impressed with his performances this season and has even drawn comparisons with Zinchenko and with Kieran Tierney’s Arsenal career seemingly drawing to a close this summer, the Gunners would be delighted to welcome a talent to compete for that spot of the same caliber as the imperious Ukrainian. There is still the small matter of his £27 million release clause to deal with but compared with some of the prices of other right-backs in the market, if Arteta can lure him away it’ll be a steal.