Arsenal’s transfer pursuits
Arsenal are actively seeking to strengthen their squad for the upcoming 2026/27 season, with sporting director Andrea Berta overseeing transfer decisions. The club has already secured three new players: Piero Hincapie, Illan Meslier, and Christos Tzolis. Hincapie‘s loan deal was made permanent for £34.5 million from Bayer Leverkusen after a Premier League-winning season. Meslier joined on a free transfer from Leeds United to bolster the goalkeeping department. Tzolis was confirmed last week in a deal from Club Brugge.
With approximately spent so far, manager Mikel Arteta is reportedly keen to finalize deals for other priority targets. The club is also planning to move some existing players to create space for new arrivals.
Key midfield and attacking targets
Arsenal‘s pursuit of midfielder Bruno Guimaraes is ongoing. Reports indicate that Guimaraes has expressed a desire to join Arsenal, and personal terms have reportedly been agreed upon. An offer of £70 million is said to be on the table, though Newcastle is reportedly reluctant to let their captain leave, especially after the departures of Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali. Guimaraes has two years remaining on his Newcastle contract, which includes an option to extend until the summer of 2029.
In terms of attacking options, Vinicius Jr has emerged as a potential target. The Real Madrid winger is in the final 12 months of his contract, and the Spanish club might consider selling him if an extension is not secured. Arsenal reportedly has a strong interest in the 26-year-old and has internally agreed on a deal. However, negotiations have not yet commenced, and Vinicius Jr‘s contract demands, reportedly seeking per season to match Kylian Mbappe‘s earnings, could be a hurdle. If Vinicius Jr were to arrive, it could impact the future of Gabriel Martinelli, particularly with the recent signing of Christos Tzolis. Bayern Munich has previously shown interest in Martinelli.
Another long-term target for Arsenal is Julian Alvarez. Atletico Madrid is reportedly interested in Viktor Gyokeres, and a player-plus-cash swap deal involving Gyokeres for Alvarez is being considered. Arsenal is reportedly willing to allow Gyokeres to leave if it facilitates Alvarez‘s arrival this summer. One report suggests that both clubs could agree on a player-plus-cash offer. Alvarez has scored goals in two seasons for Atletico Madrid. If a deal for Vinicius Jr cannot be reached, Arsenal will continue to monitor developments regarding Alvarez‘s future at Atletico Madrid.
Potential departures and financial considerations
Several players are linked with exits from Arsenal. Gabriel Jesus, with 12 months left on his contract, is among the top earners, and his limited game time might not justify his salary. Mikel Arteta is reportedly seeking for Jesus, with AC Milan showing interest. Reports from Italy suggest a deal could be completed, with the Serie A side initiating contact.
Midfielder Fabio Vieira is also nearing a departure, with Hamburg keen on a permanent transfer. Vieira spent last season on loan in Germany, contributing to 13 goals in 31 games. Reports indicate that the 26-year-old is hoping for an imminent agreement and prefers a move back to the Bundesliga. Talks are ongoing regarding his exit, even as he trains for pre-season with Arsenal.
Striker Reiss Nelson could provide a financial boost for Arsenal due to his homegrown status, making any sale pure profit for the club. Nelson spent the last campaign on loan at Brentford, where injuries limited him to 14 appearances. Brentford did not exercise their option to make the move permanent. The 26-year-old has one year remaining on his deal, and clubs such as Fulham, Benfica, and Valencia are reportedly interested.
Source: football.london
