Edu offers an exciting indication of Arsenal’s transfer ambitions as the Gunners set their sights on two more signings.
Arsenal’s sporting director, Edu Gaspar, has hinted strongly that the club intends to make further additions to their squad before the transfer window closes at the end of August.
Mikel Arteta’s team secured a 2-0 victory against Lyon in the Emirates Cup on Sunday, marking the debut of new signing Riccardo Calafiori.
Despite Calafiori being the only significant new addition thus far, Arsenal has observed with concern as rivals Chelsea and Tottenham make substantial investments in the transfer market.
Nevertheless, Edu has suggested that the club is preparing to intensify their recruitment efforts following a conversation with fans during their pre-season tour in the USA.
Arsenal is anticipated to release several of their peripheral players prior to pursuing additional transactions in the transfer market, following their acquisition of Calafiori from Bologna for £42 million.
The Gunners have already transferred Emile Smith Rowe to Fulham in a deal that could escalate to £34 million and recouped the £8.5 million invested in Nuno Tavares by selling the full-back to Lazio.
Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson are reportedly being targeted by Marseille and Leicester, respectively, with the London Colney alumni expected to generate an additional £45 million for the club.
This influx could provide Edu with the necessary financial resources to facilitate two more acquisitions during the summer transfer window.
Arteta is eager to acquire another midfielder this summer to strengthen his squad, with Real Sociedad’s Mikel Merino being the primary target.
The Euro 2024 champion with Spain is available for £25 million and has reportedly expressed a wish to return to England after a short stint with Newcastle in 2017.
Merino aligns with the profile of a seasoned midfielder who can enhance the team’s capabilities as they gear up for a third Premier League encounter against Manchester City.
Additionally, the Spanish manager is looking to find a natural No. 9 to replace Nketiah, but the prospects of securing Victor Osimhen, valued at £85 million by Napoli, are diminishing as the transfer deadline approaches.
There is ongoing speculation that Viktor Gyokeres, the striker from Sporting Lisbon, is Arteta’s favored option.
However, Sporting is asking for a minimum of £70 million to release the Swedish international, who netted 43 goals across all competitions last season.
Ivan Toney has been associated with a potential move to the Gunners as a more affordable alternative, but it is uncertain if Brentford would consider selling him so near the beginning of the new season.
Edu has executed several strategic transactions in the transfer market, earning the confidence of Arsenal supporters in his ability to secure the players pinpointed by Arteta and the recruitment team.
However, with only three weeks remaining, the 46-year-old transfer expert must act swiftly, as time is not on his side with the Premier League approaching.
