Arsenal: 4 leading transfer targets this summer

As is widely agreed, Arsenal have completed just shy of 43% of their transfer dealings this summer. In other words, three of the seven they need to fully strengthen the team. This without factoring in sales, which is a whole different kettle of fish.

What Arsenal were in need of following the end of last season is still mostly in tact today. Nuno Tavares was a move that needed to happen six months earlier to avoid the campaign drifting away as it did, but there is no use crying over spilled milk.

The left-back has arrived to solve a problem position, making it one out of seven.

Albert Sambi Lokonga brings depth into midfield and will make up for the departure of Dani Ceballos, and to some degree Matteo Guendouzi and Lucas Torreira, even if the pair were never around to be replaced.

Arsenal: 4 leading transfer targets this summer as Mikel Arteta seeks to bolster four more positions before the window closes

Two out of seven.

Ben White may be listed as a completed transfer, which is factually incorrect, but he’s as good as done. Barring some bizarre medical mishap next week he will become the seventh most expensive defender of all time, on the basis his £50m fee ends up being slightly above that.

Three out of seven.

Everyone is mostly familiar with the other four: goalkeeper, right-back, central midfielder, playmaker. There will only be a maximum of one each for those departments save for some kind of transfer domino effect, and what we’ve learned so far indicates that Mikel Arteta has made his mind up on who to bring for those positions.

Of course, this is all speculation-based. Fans are not privy to what conversations and phone calls are made in the board room or on yachts in the Monaco pier, so we can only work off of what we’re fed. Perhaps deliberately, too.

1. Goalkeeper – Aaron Ramsdale

Club: Sheffield United
Age: 23
Contract expiry: 2024
Asking price: £32m

It’s a rumour that will not die. Why won’t it die? Because it’s not a rumour. It’s a well-documented fact at this stage.

Arsenal want Aaron Ramsdale. Mikel Arteta wants Aaron Ramsdale. He is the number one target for this position and nothing is going to change that.

Or maybe not.

With Sheffield United having knocked back two bids from the Gunners already for their goalkeeper, they’ve told Arsenal, or whoever is foolish enough, to stump up a cool £32m. Pocket money for a backup stopper!

Fortunately, the latest batch of rumours point to some reluctance.

Mike McGrath of The Telegraph reports that Arsenal are not prepared to pay £30m as an up front fee, however may revisit the transfer later in the window under some form of structured deal. If that’s the case, the idea of leaving it late for the Blades to have less time to sign a replacement and then offering worse terms than before makes absolutely no sense.

But heck, at least they’re not keen on paying £30m for a number two. That’s reassuring.

Other targets: Sam Johnstone, Marcus Bettinelli