Arsenal are now one of the big boys in the transfer market after clever recruitment under Mikel Arteta and Edu Gasper. The carefully selective transfer process has helped the Gunners compete at the top but they are far from the finished product.
In 2023, they signed Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber and David Raya. The season before saw Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko arrive after Ben White, Martin Odegaard and Aaron Ramsdale were signed in 2022.
In Arsenal’s final game of last season, eight of the starting XI were all signed by Arteta. By the time they take to the field to face Wolves in August, there could be a couple of new faces sealed under the tried-and-tested recruitment team.
Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori is very likely to become their first signing of the summer after his impressive displays to help his employees reach the Champions League. His performances at Euro 2024 put him in the shop window for the world to see, something that Arsenal have clearly taken advantage of.
Nico Williams and Mikel Merino are two players understood to be of interest to the Gunners. The Spanish duo have both had moments of class at the tournament on the back of consistent stand-out displays at club-level in La Liga.
Another favourite of Spain’s team of finalists that is the subject of transfer interest is Dani Olmo. The RB Leipzig star was a name linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium last summer but nothing came about, but this year presents a slightly different opportunity.
At 26, Olmo’s versatility to play across the midfield and get forward, almost identical to Martin Odegaard, is the exact sort of profile that Arsenal are calling out for. Take Odegaard out of the picture and Arteta is seriously lacking an elite option to replace the club captain.
Barcelona are believed to be interested in re-signing Olmo after he left the club to join Dinamo Zagreb in 2014. His performances in Germany have placed more eyes on his future with him the joint top scorer of the tournament on three alongside four other players.
Olmo is believed to have a €60m (£50.7m) release clause in his contract at Leipzig meaning there is a clear path for any potential suitor to bite the bullet. Arsenal may not be prioritising a move for an advanced playmaker but his signing would be another piece of smart business.
