Arsenal’s summer transfer window could finally kick into life with Mikel Arteta and Edu handed four big updates. The Gunners have been linked to numerous names since the trading period opened in England a few weeks ago, though Euro 2024 is currently the priority for most players.
Joshua Kimmich, Riccardo Calafiori, Martin Zubimendi, Amadou Onana and Johan Bakayoko are just a few players at the tournament to have been linked to Arsenal. However, with the competition now heading towards its latter stages, several potential targets have already left Germany.
With that in mind, the Gunners could begin activating their plans in the next few days, though it must be mentioned that the majority of those names are expected to go far in the tournament. Though Calafiori is one player already on the plane home after Italy were knocked out by Switzerland at the round of 16 stage.
Even if a player of interest to Arteta and Edu was eliminated in the group stages, it was highly unlikely Arsenal could have made anything official, however that has now changed. On Monday, July 1, the summer transfer window opened in Italy, Germany, Spain, France and Portugal – two weeks on from the Premier League trading period beginning.
Because of that, Arsenal can now sign Calafiori if they wanted to with Bologna accepting it will be impossible to keep him this summer. Juventus appear to be the leading race but contact has been made by those in north London, though Liverpool, Manchester United and Real Madrid are all interested.
The Serie A outfit look to have set his asking price in the region of £40million with the 22-year-old, as a left-footed centre-back, in high demand. Kimmich meanwhile, is still at Euro 2024 and could easily find himself still playing in the tournament until mid-July with Germany.
With his Bayern contract expiring in 2025, interested clubs will be hoping to strike a bargain deal ahead of the 2024/25 season, for as little as £30million. According to Florian Plettenberg of Sky Germany, the Gunners are joined by Liverpool, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona as the only clubs Kimmich is willing to join.
Elsewhere, with Aaron Ramsdale expected to depart, Arteta signing a new goalkeeper seems likely. Plenty of names have been linked but Espanyol star Joan Garcia appears the best fit given how similar his profile is to David Raya.
Liverpool are also interested in the £21m-rated shot-stopper though Spanish journalist Gerard Romero has boldly claimed he will soon be an Arsenal player. Strengthening in attack is also a priority of Arteta with it seeming as though he will add depth in the wide areas if a striker cannot be signed.
A move for Newcastle’s Alexander Isak remains unlikely, however a deal for Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres could be possible. The 26-year-old has a €100million (£84m) release clause in his contract which Arsenal could look to activate in search of a marquee striker signing.
The Portuguese league is another division to have seen its transfer window opened recently, alongside the other top five European leagues, with Arsenal now able to agree a deal for Gyokeres, if they so please.
