Edu Gaspar gave fans something to chatter about after dropping a massive teaser on their summer transfer ambitions. Fresh from a 2-0 win over Lyon at the Emirates Cup on Sunday, Mikel Arteta's squad enjoyed a solid runout, with new boy Riccardo Calafiori clocking in for his unofficial debut. With the Italian defender the lone wolf when it comes to recent senior signings, some of the North London club's supporters have been green with envy as rivals and throw around the big bucks.
Nonetheless, Edu's hint to supporters across the pond sets the stage for an exciting climax to the transfer window. Sky's own James Green revealed Edu had fans buzzing with the message: "Be patient, you won't be disappointed at the end [of the window]!" Rumour has it the Gunners are set to boot some fringe faces before they go big game hunting again having already bagged Calafiori for a cool £42m from Bologna, reports . Meanwhile, the coffers have been boosted after waving goodbye to Emile Smith Rowe, who's off to Fulham, and Nuno Tavares who's shipped out to Lazio, splashing a combined £42.
5m back into the war chest. Talk keeps growing louder around Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson potentially packing for Marseille and Leicester, hoping to bolster the bank by another £45m. This could be the financial boost Edu needs to secure two more signings in the summer transfer window.
Arteta is eager to strengthen his midfield this summer, and Real Sociedad's Mikel Merino is at the top of his wishlist. The Euro 2024 winner with Spain, who had a brief stint with Newcastle in 2017, is available for £25m and has reportedly expressed his wish to return to England. The chrome yellow pattern design sees a modernised take on the legendary 84 Home Shirt, a season which saw the Reds become European Champions for the 4th time in Rome and the first English Club to win a Treble of major honours.
From £80 From £80 Merino, 28, who is entering he final year of his contract, fits the bill as an experienced midfielder who can enhance his squad as they gear up for their third challenge against . Arsenal are said to remain confident they will sign him, despite the La Liga side also preparing to lose Martin Zubimendi to Liverpool. The Spanish outfit are reportedly prepared to let both of their midfielders leave and it is unlikely Zubimendi’s impending move to Anfield will affect his countryman’s move to the Emirates, despite concerns that this could be the case.
The Spanish manager is also keen to replace Nketiah with a natural No. 9, but their chances of securing Victor Osimhen, valued at £85m by Napoli, are fading as the transfer deadline looms. Rumours continue that Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres is Arteta's first choice.
However, Sporting are demanding at least £70m to part with the Swedish international, who netted 43 goals in all competitions last season. Ivan Toney has previously been linked with the Gunners as a more affordable option, although it remains uncertain whether Brentford would consider a sale so close to the start of the new season. Edu, the transfer maestro at Arsenal, has made a series of calculated moves in the market, earning the trust of Gunners fans who believe in their former player's ability to secure the targets identified by Arteta and his scouting team.
However, with just three weeks left, the 46-year-old doesn't have the luxury of time to mull over his options, especially with their Premier League curtain-raiser against Wolves looming this Saturday..
