Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has accomplished many of his transfer goals already this summer, with just under a month to go until the start of the 2023/24 season. However, the Gunners’ recent transfer activity suggests that there remains a vacancy to be filled, with an alternative yet to be sought out after Ilkay Gundogan slipped through the net.
With Granit Xhaka leaving the Emirates Stadium and Thomas Partey threatening to follow suit, midfield recruitment was always likely to be a high priority. Arteta landed his dream signing in Declan Rice this week after thrashing out a £105million deal with West Ham.
Jurrien Timber has been signed to beef up the back-line, while interest in Mason Mount came and went before the Gunners swooped for Kai Havertz instead. But the Londoners are yet to scout out an alternative for Gundogan since the Manchester City treble winner signed for Barcelona last month.
Arteta’s interest in Gundogan suggests that he wants a crafty midfielder in and around the box, and one capable of finding the net with regularity.
Although Rice is a major signing, he doesn’t fit that brief with just 15 goals in 245 first-team matches during his time with the Hammers. Questions therefore remain over who Arteta will swoop for to complete a refreshed XI that may contain Timber, Havertz and Rice on the first day of next campaign.
One option is Gabri Veiga. The 21-year-old shone for Celta Vigo last season with 11 La Liga goals, including two in a final-day win over Barcelona, and he has been widely tipped to test his talents in a new environment.
The Gunners are reportedly joined by Tottenham, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain in tracking Veiga, who could set suitors back £34m this summer. Elsewhere, although unable to match the numbers put up by Veiga, or indeed Gundogan, Arsenal fans could be forgiven for getting excited about the prospect of signing Brazilian midfielder Bitello.
Sporting director Edu is reported to be in Brazil putting the finishing touches on an £8.6m proposal for the 23-year-old Gremio star, who scored 10 goals in all competitions last year.
A final option for Arteta is Ajax ace Mohamed Kudus. The Ghanaian has been linked with the Emirates in the past, and although his electric pace and adventurous runs don’t necessarily make him a Gundogan-style player, he could still come up with plenty of goals from midfield.
The 22-year-old scored 18 goals in all competitions last term and he has been courted by numerous Premier League clubs in recent weeks, including Brighton. Arteta may need to speak up soon if he is keen on luring in the youngster, however, as links have gone quiet since the transfer window opened.
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