News Focus
- Mikel Arteta is close to signing a new contract that will make him the highest-paid manager in England.
- The Gunners have identified Morgan Rogers, Eli Junior Kroupi and Julian Alvarez as key attacking targets.
- Several first-team stars including Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli could leave to fund new arrivals.
- Arsenal must sell players to balance their books after spending £250 million last season.
- Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice are also in line for new contract extensions.
Arsenal are wasting no time in preparing for next season. The North London club held a trophy parade last Sunday to celebrate their Premier League title win. Now, their focus has shifted to the transfer market.
Manager Mikel Arteta wants to strengthen his squad immediately. He hopes to avoid the problems that Liverpool faced last season. The Anfield club won the title but then saw their manager Arne Slot lose his job just one year later.
The Spaniard’s current deal runs out at the end of next season. Talks over fresh terms were paused during the campaign. Now, discussions have restarted. Club sources expect Arteta to sign a new agreement worth at least £20 million per year. This would place him ahead of every other manager in the country.
Josh Kroenke, the club’s co-chair, has made his position clear. He stated that keeping Arteta is the club’s main priority. The manager currently earns £10 million per season. His new contract will likely run for three years or more.
On the pitch, Arsenal need new players. They want to sign a central midfielder, a forward and a full-back. The attack is the biggest priority after the Champions League final defeat to Paris St-Germain.
The club has three main targets for the forward line. Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa is the first option. The 23-year-old England star would cost more than £80 million. He can play in the centre or on the left wing. Manchester United are also interested, but Rogers reportedly favours a move to the Emirates.
Bournemouth’s Eli Junior Kroupi is another option. The 19-year-old striker scored 13 goals in his debut Premier League season. This set a record for a teenager in the competition.
Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez remains the dream signing. However, Barcelona are also chasing the Argentine forward. His transfer fee would exceed £120 million.
To pay for these moves, Arsenal must sell several players. Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli are available for transfer. Leandro Trossard could also leave as he has just one year left on his deal. The club might also sell academy graduate Ethan Nwaneri for pure profit.
Other players who could depart include Ben White, Fabio Vieira and Reiss Nelson. The club has already sold defender Jakub Kiwior to Porto for £14.7 million.
In midfield, West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes is a target. However, Myles Lewis-Skelly’s recent performances might change these plans. The young academy player impressed in the centre of the park during the final weeks of the season.
At full-back, Newcastle’s Tino Livramento is on the shortlist. The 23-year-old has struggled with injuries this term.
The club is also working on new deals for current stars. Right-back Jurrien Timber is close to signing an extension. Midfielder Declan Rice will also receive a new contract offer. These renewals add extra pressure to sell unwanted players first.