Arsenal news: Busy summer expected for Mikel Arteta’s side

Mikel Arteta is on record saying Arsenal are in store for an “exciting” summer transfer window, so the pressure is on newly appointed sporting director Andrea Berta.

At the top of the club’s priorities will be the signing of a new centre forward. Alexander Isak is the dream option for Arteta here, but the cost of removing the Sweden international from Newcastle’s clutches means this deal is unlikely to happen.

Perhaps if the Magpies do not qualify for the Champions League, there is a glimmer of hope for the clubs courting Isak. But even then, the transfer fee – which would run way beyond £100m – would likely prove extremely prohibitive. As a result, Arsenal are exploring alternatives to Isak, with RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres among those firmly on the club’s radar.

Midfielders Thomas Partey and Jorginho are set to leave in the summer when their contracts expire but the club are well advanced in a move for Real Sociedad playmaker Martin Zubimendi.

Elsewhere, Arsenal will be in the market for a wide forward and Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams is greatly admired. However, like Isak, the cost of a deal for Williams would be very expensive.‌

Real Madrid’s young attacker Arda Guler is a player the club have considered in the past, while Wolves’ Matheus Cunha has been watched extensively. Arsenal are also among a host of clubs across Europe tracking the progress of 15-year-old Ecuadorian twin brothers Holger and Edwin Quintero.

In terms of outgoings, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Fabio Vieira, Nuno Tavares, Reiss Nelson and Leandro Trossard may leave, while Arsenal could consider an unexpected sale of one of their regular first-teamers depending on the size of any offer.

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