Arsenal: 4 crucial upcoming transfers in summer window

Arsenal have yet to complete a deal at the quarter stage of the window, while only one senior player has left the club on an initial loan deal. So far, it’s all quiet on the ‘northern’ front.

Quiet it terms of the London Colney entrance buzzer, but not in terms of the speculation. It’s been full steam ahead on the rumour train with an obscene amount of players being linked with a move to Arsenal, none of which have come to fruition.

But they will. Three will, in fact.

Nuno Tavares is next up with a medical completed and all that is left to do being signing on the dotted line and lifting the shirt aloft. He will arrive as a smart signing on paper, providing vital cover in a problem area all for a relatively cheap fee, on a long contract and with age on his side.

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Arsenal: 4 crucial upcoming transfers in summer window as Mikel Arteta aims to bolster other positions following imminent arrivals

There are still question marks over his attitude and defensive capabilities, but Arsenal have tracked him heavily and Mikel Arteta signed off on the deal therefore he must feel any creases can be ironed out.

Albert Sambi Lokonga, whose name is still not followed by ‘Arsenal player’, will be followed by that soon enough and he’ll add depth in the midfield behind Thomas Partey, his most similar profile within the squad.

Ben White is a deal trying to be hijacked by Everton, an ambitious move that with some confidence – although never say never – would be hugely surprising to see pulled off. All signs point to an Arsenal arrival following England’s Euro adventure which will become a club-record signing for a defender.

Amidst all of that there will be departures possibly reaching double figuresp, as the outlays need supplementing in order to move onto the next stage. Richard Garlick and co have their hands full.

Yet should Arsenal stop there with the three players brought in, then they will be firmly up the proverbial creek without a paddle. Two backup signings and a central defender? All hell would break loose.

That won’t be the case, however, and across the rest of the squad more work is underway to plug gaping gaps elsewhere.

There are four positions to tend to following the completion of the aforementioned trio. All may not be successful as the quantity of work will leave some areas short, but the four in question are what supporters will be looking at.

And in those positions, there have been a lot of links.

1. Goalkeeper

Players linked:

• Aaron Ramsdale
• Freddie Woodman
• David Raya
• Andre Onana
• Mat Ryan

Whatever happens between now and the end of the transfer window, Arsenal will sign one goalkeeper. At least.

While it is disappointing for him, at least Bernd Leno hasn’t made it all the way to the end of the European Championships, which means work can start sooner on sorting out his future. He will still get his holiday, of course, but a sit down with all parties (if one hasn’t happened already) to discuss the next step is vital.

As of yet he’s been linked with nobody concretely. If it stays like that then he looks destined to remain as an Arsenal player, probably for one more season.

With Mat Ryan gone and both Alex Runarsson and Arthur Okonkwo due to leave on loan this summer, the need for a number two option is unavoidable.

Aaron Ramsdale appears to have jumped to the top of the list according to the rumours due to his homegrown status, age and Premier League experience, but for £30m? Really? Even by Arsenal standards it’s a hugely questionable move to throw that kind of money at a No. 2 stopper.

Andre Onana’s case has gone cold and fears are now that he’ll move to Italy.