Arsenal’s achievements this season highlight the importance of a successful summer transfer window. The Gunners spent a club-record sum of over £250 million last year to compete on all four fronts, a strategy that has paid off. Manager Mikel Arteta refrained from making January signings, and it remains uncertain whether that decision was correct. However, it allows the north London side to spend more freely at the end of the season.
Sporting director Andrea Berta will need to sell players to fund new arrivals, but reports indicate he has already begun conducting business, suggesting confidence in his ability to do so. Here, Mirror Football examines the latest transfer talk surrounding the Premier League leaders.
Arsenal Target in Concrete Talks
Arsenal face strong competition from Eintracht Frankfurt in their pursuit of Real Madrid starlet Victor Valdepenas. The highly-rated 19-year-old shares traits with Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori, possessing high technical skill as a defender and the ability to play both centre-back and left-back. This rare profile has made him a target for Berta and Arteta. However, Sky Sport Germany reports that Frankfurt have edged ahead by holding concrete talks with Valdepenas’ camp. The 6ft 2in teenager’s contract runs for three more years, but he has a £43 million release clause. Valdepenas has made one first-team appearance this season and was reportedly shortlisted by Arsenal as a potential defensive addition earlier in the campaign.
Man Utd Told to Sign Granit Xhaka
Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel has urged the Red Devils to sign former Arsenal star Granit Xhaka from Sunderland. Xhaka played for the Gunners from 2016 to 2023, captaining the side, before seeking a new challenge in Germany. The 33-year-old won a domestic double with Bayer Leverkusen and has been impressive since returning to the Premier League last summer, guiding Sunderland to mid-table. Schmeichel believes United should sign the veteran Swiss star this summer. Such a move would likely leave Arteta red-faced, as he was reluctant to let Xhaka leave and is well aware of his qualities. Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Schmeichel said: "I think we should go and sign Xhaka. We need to build the team around Kobbie Mainoo. Casemiro is leaving, and bringing in young players like Adam Wharton or Elliot Anderson is still untried. What we need is proper leadership, which Xhaka provides. He has been amazing for Sunderland, his leadership qualities are great, he can play 80 per cent of games, and he is a really good player. We are desperate for more leadership."
