According to a report, Arsenal have listed their transfer requirements and possible targets for the summer.
Arsenal have reportedly set plans for the summer transfer window ahead of a massive squad overhaul.
In a detailed report from the Athletic, Arsenal have set plans to strengthen in every department but the attack. Goalkeepers, defenders across every position, central midfielders, and No 10s are wanted.
Despite rumors linking Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez to the Emirates Stadium, the Manchester City wingers weren’t mentioned in the report.
Goalkeepers
Despite being set to return to Brighton, Maty Ryan hopes to continue at Arsenal. The Australian had a decent loan spell in the second half of last season. But it seems Mikel Arteta has other backup options in mind for Bernd Leno.
Championship play-off final goalkeepers David Raya (Brentford) and Freddie Woodman (Swansea) are allegedly on Arteta’s shortlist.
Most Championship Clean sheets this season
2⃣0⃣ Freddie Woodman
1⃣7⃣ Bartosz Bialkowski
1⃣7⃣ Rafael Cabral
1⃣7⃣ Tim Krul
1⃣6⃣ David Raya pic.twitter.com/L2JreKtYX2— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) May 8, 2021
Central defenders
Jules Kounde is the man every team, including Arsenal, wants in their backline these days. But with the Gunners out of Europe for next season, the Sevilla man will probably consider other options.
Bayer Leverkusen star Edmond Tapsoba, therefore, has emerged as an alternative. Arsenal are ‘seriously interested’ in the 22-year-old, but he won’t come cheap.
Arteta could instead rely on William Saliba for next season if the 20-year-old impresses on his return on loan from Nice.
Full-backs
Hector Bellerin and Ainsley Maitland-Niles are reportedly on their way out in the summer transfer window. Signing a new right-back, therefore, could be on the cards.
As it stands, though, Arsenal have two left-back targets in mind in Crystal Palace’s Tyrick Mitchell and Hibernian’s Josh Doig.
Josh Doig 🤝 @scottishfwa Young Player of the Year 👏 pic.twitter.com/33uZ1FUhA4
— Hibernian Football Club (@HibernianFC) May 9, 2021
Central midfielders
Yves Bissouma has impressed Arsenal in the Premier League since joining Brighton from Lille in a €16.90 million deal in 2018. He is viewed as an ideal partner for Thomas Partey.
Sander Berge, who currently plays for the relegated Sheffield United, is also on the club’s radar as doubts grow on Granit Xhaka’s future. Dani Ceballos, meanwhile, has returned to Real Madrid after his second loan spell ended.
No 10s
The obvious man for the job is Martin Odegaard.
The 22-year-old enjoyed an impressive spell on loan. He joined Arsenal in January from Real Madrid and quickly settled in, making some key contributions in his short time. His form has sparked talk of a second loan deal or perhaps even a permanent transfer.
But Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane’s exit could keep Odegaard in Spain.
Norwich star Emi Buendia is also a reported target for the Gunners in this position.
"If they [Arsenal] don’t get Odegaard, they’ll consider Buendia."@David_Ornstein reveals that Championship Player of the Year Emi Buendia is available for £40m this summer…
LISTEN NOW 🎙️ 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗢𝗥𝗡𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗜𝗡 & 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗠𝗔𝗡 𝗣𝗢𝗗𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗧
— The Athletic UK (@TheAthleticUK) May 25, 2021