Arsenal are already planting the seeds for huge moves this summer, as the Gunners turn their attention to Ivan Toney and Martin Zubimendi
Arsenal Transfer Exclusive
Arsenal let January pass by without a moment of panic, as they did not dive in to the transfer window blindly in hopes of boosting their title credentials – meaning Mikel Arteta now turns his focus on to key deals in the summer.
The Spaniard is prepared to commit himself to the club for the foreseeable future, despite speculation he could quit at the end of this season, and in line with that Arsenal will progress a strategy for how they can improve.
In private briefings, Arsenal sources insisted they would not be tempted to dip into the market this winter and that turned out to be true, as we now wait to see how they level-up from here.
Ivan Toney and Martin Zubimendi are two top-line targets to watch out for and the Gunners will need to make in-roads on both deals ahead of June if they are to land either player.
Toney is discussed publicly as a perfect candidate to land as Arsenal’s next No.9 and intermediaries around the player are also suggesting that the Emirates Stadium is his most likely landing spot after Brentford.
Interestingly, sources inside Arsenal actually play down their interest in the Bees front-man at the moment and only time will tell whether that stance is in line with discretion or an alternate plan they are trying to keep close guard of.
Toney has been in very good form since returning from his betting ban, scoring in successive games and putting in a particularly impressive display against Tottenham last time out that showed exactly why he is touted as being ready to lead the line for a top club.
Arsenal resisted the urge to deal in the January window for two reasons. One of those is that there is still plenty of faith in Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah, while the other comes with financial constraints in mind.
Arsenal could only have spent last month if a big-money exit had allowed more freedom to do so. In the summer, the Gunners will be in a good position in terms of the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Regulations (PSR).
Meaning Mikel Arteta’s side will be able to seriously contemplate a big signing up front, with Napoli’s Victor Osimhen also regularly linked.
Real Sociedad midfielder, Martin Zubimendi, is a name to look out for in the second half of the season, as he is viewed as a perfect midfield addition to follow the £105 million deal for Declan Rice last summer.
For the past year there have been concerns about Thomas Partey’s long-term role at Arsenal and in the summer they will finally move beyond that. Zubimendi, 24, fits the club profiling for a new midfield player, but also has a huge admirer in Arteta, who used to play for Real Sociedad and retains strong links in the region.
Further strengthening in defence and possibilities in terms of another creative player will also be considered at the end of the season.
For now all focus will be on how far they can push domestically and in the Champions League but do not be fooled by any perceived lack of ambition last month – as they still have big intent and will not stand still.
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