Mikel Arteta and Edu have undoubtedly already been targeting numerous transfers with the latest name linked perfectly fitting the Arsenal model. Ahead of the Gunners’ 2023/24 season-closer, Arteta spoke on the club’s transfer plans and revealed his willingness to get deals done early.
“That’s the ideal scenario,” he said when asked if Arsenal were hopeful of getting their business done at the start of the window. “Every club wants that, we want that as coaches and for the players especially. Then for the team and for the environment. When you do that something clicks there and it’s really important because it starts to give you momentum.”
In the wake of the campaign ending, Arsenal have been linked with Feyenoord goalkeeper Justin Bijlow with it looking increasingly more likely Aaron Ramsdale will leave this summer. On the topic of departures, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Emile Smith Rowe and Thomas Partey are others that could move on ahead of the 2024/25 season.
Selling numerous first-team players could allow for more marquee transfers to be made, but with that, replacements will be needed. One option that could arrive in place of Zinchenko would be Fenerbahce’s Ferdi Kadioglu with the defender capable of playing on both flanks.
Considering what Arteta craves from his full-backs, it would be an astute addition but there is perhaps a better target that has recently been linked in Leeds United’s Archie Gray. “Arsenal have been one of a number of clubs linked with Archie Gray at Leeds United,” transfer guru Fabrizio Romano revealed via Caught Offside.
“There’s interest in Gray from Germany and England, for sure. Leeds were hoping to keep both Gray and Crysencio Summerville but it might be difficult now after they missed out on promotion to the Premier League, so yes – I expect movement on these two players and we will see how Leeds will react.”
With the Whites failing to achieve promotion from the Championship, they may be forced into selling a number of star players with Gray as one that could be sacrificed. The 18-year-old endured a superb season at Elland Road with his versatility to play at both right-back and in midfield, something Arteta will certainly have taken note of.
Last summer, the Gunners signed Jurrien Timber for £34million with the plan he would be deployed in Zinchenko’s inverted role. As such, the former Manchester City man being handed less minutes looked likely but the Netherlands international’s long-term injury changed plans.
Despite that, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jakub Kiwior were often preferred to the Ukraine international and because of that, he will likely be the one sold if Arsenal move for Gray. As he is still only a teenager, a back-up role will likely be accepted with a clear plan to continue his development under Arteta.
