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Arsenal are reportedly nearly certain to bid for a £26 million player next year, coming after he once agreed to join Mikel Arteta at the Emirates.

Edu making Arsenal transfer plans for 2025

The north Londoners’ transfer plans, led by sporting director Edu Gaspar, are well and truly underway for next year – with reports already linking Arsenal to a host of players.

Arsenal worried that £150,000-per-week star is also nursing an injury now

The Gunners have a few key players sidelined right now.

ByEmilio Galantini Sep 24, 2024

It is believed that Arsenal are targeting a new number nine in January, and are considering a “big-money” bid, as per TEAMtalk, but it remains to be seen who they land on, as their shortlist apparently includes Inter Milan star Marcus Thuram, Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig ace Benjamin Sesko.

Appearances

42

Goals

18

Assists

2

Minutes per goal

115

Minutes played

2,057

Arsenal opted against signing a striker in the summer, instead choosing to keep their faith in Kai Havertz for the role, but a fresh centre-forward option is apparently very much on the agenda for next year.

As well as not bringing in a new forward, Arsenal also couldn’t quite get a deal over the line for Espanyol shot-stopper Joan Garcia. The Spaniard, whose contract includes a £26 million release clause, is said to have agreed to join the club and shook hands on personal terms.

Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, Garcia even commented on his failed move to Arsenal, insisting he wasn’t distracted.

“During the entire market I was quite isolated,” he said.

“I was at the Olympic Games and when I arrived La Liga was already starting. The last few days were more intense, but I was very isolated, focusing on what I had to do, which is the field. I managed not to get distracted.

“Regarding my continuity, I am very happy that people are happy that I have stayed. I have worked all these years for this – playing with Espanyol in the First Division – and this is how it is. I hope to take advantage of it.”

The Gunners ended up signing Neto from Bournemouth on loan to fill in for Aaron Ramsdale as the second-choice keeper, but that doesn’t mean they’ve given up on Garcia, far from it.

Arsenal "highly likely" to bid for Joan Garcia in 2025

As per CaughtOffside, it is “highly likely” Arsenal will make a bid for Garcia in 2025, despite missing out on a deal over the summer and bringing in Neto.

Arteta’s side still want the 23-year-old, who represented Spain at this summer’s Olympics in Paris, and have very clearly identified Garcia as their preferred number two behind David Raya.

Arsenal have a good working relationship with both the player and his representatives after reaching an agreement on terms with them, so this apparently could be one to watch.

“There have been movements. We have had to work hard. There have been conversations, situations to work through. Situations to handle,” said Espanyol sporting director Fran Garagarza.

“We are dealing with a great goalkeeper, but we are also dealing with a great person. His behaviour, his poise, his harmony and his tone of voice… for me, he’s top 10. That’s what I’ll take from him.”

It's been a wild ride for Arsenal fans over the last few years, as they have seen their side go from mid-table mediocrity to consistent title challengers under the leadership of Mikel Arteta.

The former captain of the club has been transformational in the dugout, and so have a number of his signings, be that Gabriel at the back, Leandro Trossard on the wing or even Kai Havertz up top.

However, perhaps no addition has been quite as emblematic of the Gunners' shift from also-rans to serious contenders as the signing of Martin Odegaard.

The Norwegian joined the club as a former wonderkid with plenty to prove and has become one of the most important players in the Premier League, and yet there is another Arsenal star who is worth even more than him.

Odegaard's valuation in 2024

Following a reasonably successful, if not slightly underwhelming, loan spell in the latter half of the 20/21 campaign, the Gunners decided to sign Odegaard in August 2021 for a fee that is likely to hit £34m with add-ons and to say that the move has been a success since would be quite the understatement.

For example, in his 156 appearances for the club, the Norwegian "wizard," as dubbed by former footballer Babayele Sodade, has scored 35 goals and provided 25 assists, equating to an average of a goal involvement every 2.60 games.

Moreover, he's been improving seemingly year-on-year, so who knows how many goal involvements he'll be able to rack up this season, should the injury he picked up on Monday night not be too serious.

Appearances

20

40

45

48

Goals

2

7

15

11

Assists

2

5

7

11

Goal Involvements per Match

0.20

0.30

0.48

0.45

However, it's not just his raw output that makes him such a spectacular player to watch. He's also proven himself to be a fantastic leader, as despite being just 23 years old at the time, he was named club captain in July 2022, just a year and a half after being named Norway captain as well.

In all, the former Real Madrid ace has transformed from a youngster with plenty of potential into an incredibly gifted leader who also happens to be one of the most technically gifted midfielders in England.

So, with all that said, it shouldn't come as a surprise that his valuation has shot up in recent years. According to Transfermarkt, he is now worth a whopping €110m, which is about £93m.

While that's an enormous sum of money, it's still lower than the valuation of one of his teammates.

Declan Rice's valuation in 2024

Yes, the star in question is Arsenal's £105m man, Declan Rice, whom Transfermarkt currently values at a massive €120m, which converts to about £101m, and while that is slightly less than the fee the Gunners paid for him, it's still a ringing endorsement to see him even get close a year later.

Moreover, while this sort of valuation isn't all that unusual for world-class attacking players today, there are very few defensive midfielders who are valued as highly, bar perhaps Rodri, whom Transfermarkt prices at €130m, or £110m.

That said, while it's an enormous valuation, it would be hard to argue that it isn't justified, as the former West Ham United captain was one of Arsenal's best and most consistent players last season.

For example, across all competitions, the "phenomenal" midfielder, as dubbed by respected analyst EBL, made 51 appearances for Arteta, in which he scored seven goals and provided ten assists, equating to a goal involvement on average every three games, which is a frankly ludicrous level of output for a player who started 31 games as a six, 19 as an eight and one as a centre-back.

Another massive benefit to having the England international in the team is that, despite playing consistent first-team football from such a young age, he has a remarkably clean bill of health and, as things stand, has only missed seven games across his entire career due to injury.

Ultimately, Arsenal are incredibly fortunate to have Odegaard and Rice in the team, and while they have yet to win anything in North London, it feels more like a matter of when and not if with them at the heart of the midfield.

Arsenal let their Saka regen leave for £0, now he's outscoring Martinelli

The incredible talent left for nothing.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Sep 10, 2024

BBC pundit Troy Deeney has heaped praise on an ex-Gunner who left north London in the summer, with the former Arsenal ace now really impressing at his new club.

Arsenal back to winning ways after 1-0 win away to Tottenham

Manager Mikel Arteta was in spirited mood after his side came away from their trip to Tottenham with all three points on Sunday, not to mention all the North London Derby bragging rights.

£150k-per-week Arsenal star could miss Atalanta with Calafiori and Odegaard

An update has come out of London Colney.

ByEmilio Galantini Sep 17, 2024

While Spurs dominated possession and created openings of their own, a resolute Arsenal thwarted Ange Postecoglou’s side, with star defender Gabriel Magalhaes making the home side pay for their lack of cutting edge in the final third.

Gabriel claimed Arsenal’s winner 64 minutes into the contest, rising above all others to thump a close-range header past Guglielmo Vicario from a corner, who was again made to pay for a lack of assurance in dealing with set pieces.

Tottenham failed to fight their way back from only goal of the game, with Arteta praising Arsenal’s derby display, which was made all the more impressive considering they were without a host of first-team players in club captain Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, Riccardo Calafiori, Mikel Merino and Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Date

Result

15th Sept 2024

1-0 Arsenal win

28th April 2024

3-2 Arsenal win

24th Sept 2023

2-2 draw

15th Jan 2023

2-0 Arsenal win

1st Oct 2022

3-1 Arsenal win

12th May 2022

3-0 Spurs win

26th Sept 2021

3-1 Arsenal defeat

“The people that we have, I think I already spoke about it during the week, people that are harder, they have thick skin, they love the game and they love winning,” said Arteta on Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Spurs.

“In order to love the game and win, you have to do a lot of things – sometimes people call them ugly. Enjoying doing those ugly things is a big compliment of this team right now, and when you’re able to normally, you get a good gift.

“We’ve won three years in a row here. I don’t know when’s the last time that this has happened, so that’s a big thing. I think they believe already, we’ve won a lot of big games. It’s a big week coming up and that’s going to give us a lot of energy and belief. Obviously, there are a lot of things to get better today. I don’t think we’ve done, especially with the ball, the simple things right at all. We will get better.”

Before Sunday, it was actually 35 years since Arsenal last beat Tottenham three times in a row away from home, so the Spaniard broke a record which spanned over three decades on a memorable afternoon.

Troy Deeney hails Emile Smith-Rowe after quitting Arsenal

Arsenal’s team were not the only players to enjoy a fruitful weekend, though, as midfielder Emile Smith-Rowe continues to shine for new club Fulham – after the Englishman joined them for a club-record £34 million in the summer window.

Reports claimed that Arteta would’ve ideally liked to keep Smith-Rowe, but the 24-year-old certainly won’t be regretting his switch across London so far. Indeed, he provided an assist for striker Raul Jimenez in their 1-1 draw at home to West Ham on Saturday, building upon his goal against Leicester City around three weeks ago.

Smith-Rowe is having a real influence at Fulham right now, starting all four of their opening Premier League matches, coming after saw his game time at Arsenal diminish in the seasons before leaving.

The £60,000-per-week Hale End academy graduate could be one of the signings of the season if he carries on this form, and pundit Deeney has showered praise on Smith-Rowe, naming the player in BBC Premier League Team of the Week.

“He’s decided to turn into an absolute monster and is just doing his thing,” said Deeney on Smith-Rowe’s performances at Craven Cottage. “He probably had to leave Arsenal to go to a smaller pond and be that big fish. Anything good that comes out of Fulham is through him. He was excellent.”

A £40 million Aston Villa player could still make a dramatic late exit from the Midlands in these final hours of the transfer window, with manager Unai Emery seeing changes to his squad very much possible.

Villa spend around £150m in busy summer transfer window

After qualifying for the new Champions League format last season, NSWE and Monchi made a serious effort to back their Villa head coach with an array of star signings, even if they had to part company with key men like Moussa Diaby and Douglas Luiz.

Emery's pushing: Aston Villa working on signing Konsa 2.0 in £35m star

He’s been a long-term target for Emery

ByJoe Nuttall Aug 29, 2024

Emery's side have splashed a near-£150 million on Amadou Onana, Ian Maatsen, Jaden Philogene, Cameron Archer, Samuel Illing-Junior, Lewis Dobbin, Enzo Barrenchea and Ross Barkley so far this summer, but perhaps one more could come through the door before 11pm.

Unfortunately for Villa, it appears a top late transfer target in Feyenoord star Lutsharel Geertruida may not be joining Villa after all. It is believed Villa were closing in on a deal for Geertruida at one point, but he is now on his way for a medical with RB Leipzig after the Bundesliga side hijacked their move.

While this is bad news for Villa, there is a case to be made that they've significantly strengthened in a few key areas already, but perhaps selling certain fringe members of their squad could raise last-minute funds to sign an alternative to Geertruida – if they're that eager to bolster their backline.

Striker Jhon Duran has been repeatedly linked with an exit all summer and was reportedly thought to be in talks to join the likes of West Ham United and Chelsea over these last few months, but a transfer did not come to fruition.

Duran could make dramatic late deadline day exit from Villa

The Colombian is stuck in limbo after a succession of failed moves away, but talkSPORT claim an exit is still on the cards for Duran as we fast approach the last hurrah of this window.

His price tag is set at around £40 million, according to some reports, but it is unclear whether clubs would be willing to pay it.

"Jhon Duran is a special player," said Emery on Duran.

"We have to try and help him. He is a good guy, and he needs a team behind him. He is getting our demands better. He was very clinical and today was important for him

"Today we are celebrating with our supporters, we have to push it and keep working and be consistent. We were consistent all the season. The team was being mature and always consistent in our mind. Inch by inch we did it.

"We are very proud of the season. It is not enough at the moment to get fourth. Even after we scored the two goals, we had chances. We are celebrating the season here with our supporters in Villa Park. We are only thinking of us. We will prepare for our match on Sunday, everything is in our hands."

Sky Sports journalist Michael Bridge has been left thrilled with Tottenham Hotspur as they seal the signing of James Maddison from Leicester City.

Have Spurs signed James Maddison?

On Wednesday evening, it was formally announced that Spurs have completed their third signing of the summer after Dejan Kulusevski on a permanent deal and Guglielmo Vicario from Empoli.

Indeed, Tottenham confirmed that they have put pen to paper on a deal for Maddison, who joins for £40 million from Leicester.

In the process, Spurs have finally acquired a central creative playmaker, coming over three years after former Christian Eriksen left for Inter Milan.

Maddison’s contract at Spurs will run until 2028 with midfielder Harry Winks moving in the opposite direction in a separate £10 million move to the King Power Stadium.

Tottenham have since been lavished with praise for their capture of the 26-year-old, with sections of the press calling it a “bargain” move given he outscored Kevin De Bruyne last season and created more chances than Martin Odegaard (The Mail).

The Lilywhites had been in talks for the last fortnight, according to reports, and were in a battle with Newcastle United for his signing – but Spurs eventually won the race as Maddison makes a move to north London.

Writing on Twitter, journalist Michael Bridge has also claimed supporters “should be excited” by Maddison’s arrival, claiming he will be an “excellent signing” and one which brings creativity back to N17.

Why have Tottenham signed James Maddison?

The Englishman was Leicester’s standout star last season, racking up 19 goal contributions whilst attempting more shots at goal and completing more key passes per 90 than anyone in their squad (WhoScored).

Spurs have also been called the “perfect” destination for Maddison, with pundit Gabriel Agbonlahor saying as much back in February.

““I think Spurs would be the perfect club for him,” Agbonlahor told Football Insider.

“Tottenham need a number ten like him. They keep playing this 3-4-3 formation, but they can totally change that if they get Maddison.

“It transforms into a 4-3-3 – and that means more attacking football for the fans.

“Bentancur, Hojbjerg, and Maddison as a midfield three is a really exciting prospect for Tottenham.”

Manchester United are closing in on a Premier League star, as Erik ten Hag sets his sights on bolstering his squad this summer.

A certain ace from one of the Red Devil’s rivals has been rumoured to make the switch to Old Trafford this window, with the deal moving closer.

What’s the latest on Mason Mount to Manchester United?

As reported by The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Manchester United are ‘getting closer’ to agreeing a deal to sign Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount.

The report revealed that United had their ‘improve’ bid of £45m + £5m add ons rejected by Chelsea, who are ‘countered’ with £60m + £5m add ons, with Ornstein adding that United ‘have a limit’.

It’s reported that the Blues are ‘trying to comply’ with the Englishman's wishes, while holding out for a compromise on the deal.

What could Mason Mount offer to Manchester United?

Last campaign was a sore topic for Chelsea, finishing 12th in the table having recorded just 11 wins in 38 games, having noted their worst Premier League finish since the 1993/94 term.

Mount has suffered alongside his boyhood club, contributing just five goals and assists in 24 league appearances.

Lauded as “incredible” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the Englishman registered his best season in the final third throughout 2021/22 in the Premier League, registering an impressive 21 G/A in 32 games, scoring 11 and assisting ten, via Sofascore.

The numbers from that campaign show exactly the calibre of player Ten Hag could integrate into his squad at United, with the Portsmouth-born ace showing traits that he could emulate the success of a current Old Trafford star.

In the 2021/22 campaign, Mount was compared statistically to Bruno Fernandes, who has been Ten Hag’s shining light as highlighted by his 16 G/A recorded in the Premier League this season, scoring and assisting eight goals in 37 appearances, via FBref.

The Dutchman could equip his side with a player capable of living up to the heights delivered by the Portuguese ace, as told when comparing the two via FBref based on Mount's previous highs.

As per FBref in 2021/22, the duo shone when it came to progressive play, with Fernandes averaging 2.26 progressive carries and 6.86 progressive passes per 90, with Mount just trailing with 6.25 progressive passes and excelling with 3.50 progressive carries per 90.

The Englishman also topped the United gem when it came to scoring, averaging 0.38 non-penalty goals to the 28-year-old’s 0.29 per 90, highlighting that they both show a strong competency in front of goal, via FBref.

While putting the ball in the net is the aim of the game, the duo excelled when it came to being the creators in their respective sides at the time, with Fernandes averaging a monstrous 2.5 key passes per game with Mount following with 1.8.

Based on their numbers, the two operate at similar levels when playing at their best, providing an encouraging indication of what could potentially be in store for Ten Hag’s midfield at Old Trafford next season.

Liverpool, in the last week, have held talks with the camp of Gabri Veiga over the possibility of a move to Anfield this summer.

Who is Gabri Veiga?

It was an underwhelming 2022/23 campaign for the Reds who failed to get their hands on any form of silverware and were forced to settle for a fifth-placed finish.

And in the weeks since the campaign drew to a close, there has already been multiple changes made at Anfield.

Indeed, the likes of Roberto Firmino, James Milner and Nabby Keita have all left the club following the conclusion of their contracts.

However, they have already made a major move in this summer's transfer window through the addition of Alexis Mac Allister.

But it does not seem as if Klopp will be settling for just one midfield addition this summer with the Reds linked to a host of names already in the early stages of this window.

One of them being the 21-year-old midfield talent, Veiga, who is currently playing his football in La Lisa with Celta Vigo.

The Spaniard enters the summer window off the back of an impressive campaign with the La Liga side where he was able to wrack up 11 goals and four assists in the league alone (via Transfermarkt).

And speaking on his Here We Go podcast, Fabrizio Romano has claimed the Merseyside's have already held talks over a potential move:

"So these remain two names [Khephren Thuram & Manu Kone] into the list, but I would keep it open because sometimes you can find some opportunities some new name, for example, during last and this week, Liverpool had some conversations with people close to Gabri Veiga.

"He's more kind of quality player, but he's very electric player. I really like him honestly, I think he's one of the best talents in the world."

How much is Gabri Veiga worth?

It appears it is not just Liverpool who could be in the market to sign the talented youngster this summer with a number of other clubs also credited with an interest.

Indeed, it has been suggested Newcastle United are one of the clubs who could make a move for the Spaniard over the coming weeks.

Any club who is looking to land the 21-year-old this summer will have to pay in the region of £34m as the midfielder's contract holds a €40m release clause.

After all, this is a player who has been described as a "wonderful talent" by some in the media and it is clear to see why when he is returning double figure goal returns from midfield.

Over the last year, Veiga has ranked inside the top 12th percentile for successful take-ones and progressive carries (via FBref).

Across all competitions in 2022/23, Liverpool's highest scoring midfielder was Harvey Elliott with a mere five goals across all competitions; something Veiga could potentially provide a lot more of.

Manchester United could well be eyeing a summer move for Inter Milan star Andre Onana, albeit with the Red Devils set to face competition for the goalkeeper's signature.

What's the latest on Onana to Man United?

According to the Evening Standard, the Old Trafford outfit could potentially rival Chelsea in the battle to land the 27-year-old ahead of next season, with Erik ten Hag and co able to offer the benefit of providing Champions League football.

The report suggests that the Serie A outfit are set to demand a fee in the region of £50m if they are to part ways with the former Cameroon international over the coming weeks, with the Italian giants potentially set to be forced to cash in due to their ongoing financial woes.

The former Ajax man only made the move to San Siro on a free transfer last summer and still has four years left to run on his existing deal with Simone Inzaghi's side.

Should Man United sign Onana?

There is currently much uncertainty surrounding United's goalkeeping department, with an agreement yet to have been reached with long-serving asset David De Gea over a contract extension, with the Spaniard's current deal set to expire in just a matter of weeks.

Even if the 32-year-old is to sign a new contract in the near future, there have been reports that the £375k-per-week man won't necessarily be the starting option for Ten Hag next season.

The former Atletico Madrid man has arguably become a "big problem" for the Red Devils – according to pundit Jamie Carragher – with his woes in possession having been exposed of late, with club legend Paul Scholes stating following the defeat to Sevilla that De Gea "makes the whole team nervous" when trying to play out from the back.

The signing of Onana, therefore, would be a potential upgrade as far as Ten Hag is concerned, with the 6 foot 3 titan – who played 145 times under the Dutchman in Amsterdam – having been described as "exceptional" on the ball by Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, ahead of last weekend's Champions League final.

Despite ending up on the losing side in that showpiece meeting, the 34-cap ace still "caught the eye" with his distribution, according to Manchester Evening News journalist, Tyrone Marshall.

The Inter man's greater composure on the ball was also shown in Serie A in 2022/23 as he enjoyed an average pass accuracy rate of 79% from his 24 league outings, while De Gea, by contrast, averaged just 68% for that same metric from 38 appearances, having been far more erratic when attempting to play out.

Equally, while the latter man ranks in just the bottom 30% among his European peers for touches per 90, Onana ranks in the top 11% in that regard, again showcasing that he will willingly get involved in the build-up.

As such, with De Gea having become something of a 'problem' of late, the signing of the Cameroonian machine could be just the upgrade that Ten Hag requires.

Arsenal enjoyed a remarkable season in the Premier League this year, which saw them hold onto top spot for a record 248 days before a late-season collapse allowed the imperious Manchester City to claim their third straight title.

The Gunners started last season with a string of pre-season victories in the United States against Chelsea and Everton, and fans will be hoping another American tour this summer can inspire the team to another title challenge come August.

What are Arsenal's 2023 pre-season fixtures?

The club have confirmed three pre-season fixtures so far, but if last season is anything to go by, we should expect them to start pre-season with a behind-closed-doors friendly and end it with the Emirates Cup.

The confirmed fixtures from the Arsenal official site.

Arsenal v MLS All-Stars, July 14th, kick-off: 04:30 BST Arsenal v Manchester United, July 22nd, kick-off: 22:00 BST Arsenal v Barcelona, July 26th, kick-off: TBC Where are Arsenal playing their pre-season fixtures?

For a second year running, the Gunners will be heading to the United States of America for the bulk of their pre-season, playing their three games in three different cities.

Arteta's men will kick off their tour against the MLS All-Stars at Washington DC's Audi Field. The game won't be easy for the boys in red and white, and there should be some added excitement due to ex-Manchster United legend Wayne Rooney managing the American side.

After the announcement, Rooney expressed his excitement to ESPN: "The opportunity to lead the best our league has to offer against a top Premier League club like Arsenal will be a highlight for me personally and an unforgettable experience for our passionate fanbase here in DC."

Arsenal's next game, against Manchester United, will occur in the city that never sleeps, New York. The venue for this all-English affair will be the massive Met Life stadium, home to the New York Jets NFL team.

The final game of the tour against La Liga champions Barcelona takes the north Londoners to the West Coast. Los Angeles's SoFi stadium will play host to the two teams.

SoFi stadium is owned by Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke and is the home of his Super Bowl winning NFL team, the LA Rams.

Can I buy tickets for the games?

Tickets for the first game of the tour against Rooney's MLS All-Stars are still available on Ticketmaster, but with the cheapest tickets priced at £202, it certainly isn't for the faint of heart.

Ticketmaster is also selling tickets to the game against Manchester United, with these ones being somewhat cheaper at around £136.

Those who fancy a trip to Los Angeles to see the Gunners take on the Blaugrana can expect to pay the least with Ticketmaster pricing tickets from £86.

Can I watch the games on TV in the UK?

Arsenal are yet to announce details on how fans can watch the club's matches whilst on tour, but if the last few years are anything to go by, the club will likely charge fans on a per-game basis through their own in-house media.

Fans have also been able to watch extensive highlights through Arsenal's YouTube channel during recent tours.

When does Arsenal's Premier League season start?

The Premier League season is scheduled to start on August 12th 2023, just 17 days after Arsenal's final pre-season game against Barcelona.

Arteta and co will undoubtedly have one eye on the season proper whilst in the USA.

Who is likely to go on the USA tour?

Arteta will likely bring the whole first-team squad to undergo as much preparation as possible before mounting another challenge for the Premier League title. Some of the youngsters that can expect a place on the plane would be Reuell Walters, Catalin Cirjan, Amario Cozier-Duberry and the forgotten Marquinhos. Additionally, if Edu conducts the club's transfer business similarly to last year, we could see some summer signings make their debuts in the US, looking at you, Declan Rice.

Arsenal have scheduled talks to sign Galatasary right-back Sacha Boey this week and are "expected to shake hands" on his price tag, according to reports.

Who could Arsenal sign this summer?

The Gunners and manager Mikel Arteta are to begin preparations for what will be an all-important 2023/2024 Premier League campaign.

Arsenal, after narrowly missing out on their first league title in nearly 20 years to Man City, must now shore up key areas of the squad and strengthen sufficiently.

Sporting director Edu, commenting on the club's transfer plans in April, confirmed there has already beem movement in this regard.

"Our planning has already been done," said Edu to ESPN (via 90min).It has already reached the owners. Now, we're taking things step by step. We're focused on how we will finish the season, but we've put in the planning and I'm very excited."

Arsenal are eager to reinforce in central midfield especially with reports suggesting they could make as many as two major signings in that position. As well as there, the Gunners are believed to be chasing a new full-back, leading to links with Man City's Joao Cancelo.

Boey, who has been impressing in Turkey for Galatasary, is also regularly mentioned as a target for Edu.

Newspaper Takvim on Tuesday, via Sport Witness, has some very interesting news on Arsenal and their links to the Frenchman. According to their information, the north Londoners "will hold a meeting" with Galatasary this week, and "negotiations" will take place over Boey's signing.

Despite some differences over price, with Galatasary previously asking for £22m, there is now belief that the two clubs are "expected to shake hands at €20m (£17m)".

Who is Sacha Boey?

As per WhoScored, Boey stood out as one of Galatasary's crucial players over 2022/2023, with only Mauro Icardo managing a higher match rating per 90 than the 22-year-old.

The starlet's defensive stats were solid – averaging their joint-highest rate of tackles per 90 and second-highest rate of interceptions in the Turkish Super Lig last season (WhoScored).

He could be an exceptional acquisition for Arsenal at just £17m, with former defender Bacary Sagna believing Boey is perfect for Arteta.

“Galatasaray’s Sacha Boey is a player I really like," said Sagna.“I think he will fit perfectly into Arsenal. As a right-back too, I have to say I think he’s great. I’m sure many clubs have Sacha Boey in mind.“There is a contract to sign.”