Arsenal transfer floodgates to open after £38m deal struck as Edu plans big summer finale

Arsenal are close to securing Riccardo Calafiori in a deal which could open the floodgates for Arsenal's summer transfer business

Granted, the start to the summer transfer window for Arsenal has not been what many people would have hoped. That said, it is what was predicted both by Mikel Arteta and those looking at the reality of what was going to be a tricky market.

The European Championships and Copa America combined with the Profit and Sustainability rules deadline have shaken things up and subsequently delayed move for players. Despite this, Arsenal are closing in on their first summer signing of Riccardo Calafiori.

A deal in the region of £38million is close and the Italian international is expected to join the tour in the United States once it is completed. Arsenal have just played their first pre-season game across the pond and came away with a penalty shootout win after a 1-1 draw with Bournemouth.

With Calafiori set for completion, however, this is due to free up far more resources to continue the push to reinforce the squad. football.london understands there is a confidence that the club are confident of the team being strengthened this summer and now the cogs have been turning.

Edu Gaspar and his team are keen to further recruit and there are needs in the goalkeeper, central midfield and forward areas. Mikel Merino is currently the leading candidate in midfield although so far the club have stopped short of an official offer – that could change soon, however.

There is interest from Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Chelsea in Spain’s Euro 2024 quarter-final hero. He would certainly add plenty of immediate quality and competition to the centre of midfield and the Gunners are an attractive profile with some familiarity in the form of David Raya and Martin Odegaard.

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The forward line is where the real intrigue exists, however, as there has been a lack of clear and obvious public links for some time. The club were keen on Benjamin Sesko until he decided to sign a new deal with RB Leipzig, although football.london understands the Gunners will continue to track the Slovenian international for the foreseeable future.

Centre-forward looks unlikely to be an area that the club will go to Declan Rice levels to bring in a marquee forward; however, talk of Viktor Gyokeres has re-emerged in the last week. The Swede has a €100million (£84.2million) release clause which Sporting will want paid in full.

The wide areas are, for me at least, even more of a priority as Arsenal need to add some right-sided quality to compete and cover for Bukayo Saka. Certainly preferably a left-footed right winger, unless a deal for the versatile Nico Williams became a possibility, which sadly remains a slim hope.

That said, Pedro Neto could be an option and fits the bill. The only issue here remains the Portuguese international’s fitness problems which have plagued his time with Wolves.

If he can overcome these or even cope with less regular game time for Arsenal and start to produce some of the Manchester City-beating performances he is capable of he would be a top asset to the Arsenal attack.

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