An Arsenal transfer target is set for a huge offer as the Gunners know exactly what type of player they need to sign to take the next step
Mikel Arteta is looking to make big signings this summer for Arsenal
Rumours are already swirling around Arsenal’s transfer plans this summer despite plenty more football still to be played this season.
The Gunners are awaiting the conclusion of the current international break, with several players away on duty with their countries, before taking on Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals on April 4. The break arrived at a perfect time to reflect on and recover from their disappointing 2-0 loss to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final.
Nevertheless, Mikel Arteta’s team remain at the summit of the Premier League table, which they command by nine points. They also have a Champions League quarter-final clash against Sporting CP to anticipate in the coming weeks, for which they are the favourites to progress. Here’s all the latest news from the Emirates Stadium.
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Carragher outlines transfer priority
Jamie Carragher reckons recruiting a superstar attacker should be Arsenal’s priority in the summer transfer window, reports the Mirror.
The Gunners have faced criticism this season for their shortage of creativity in the final third, made worse by key players like Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka struggling to reach the high standards they had previously established.
Saka, arguably Arteta’s finest attacker, has notched merely nine goals across all competitions thus far. And pundit Carragher believes they will need to recruit a talisman in the vein of Mohamed Salah this summer, arguing the forward line “hasn’t clicked” this season.
Carragher elaborated when dissecting Arteta’s side on The Overlap: “I don’t think it will affect the league because Arsenal have got such a big gap. But my thing with Arsenal now – and you could probably say this with every team in the Premier League – is there’s not enough special players.
“Arsenal are the best team in the league and have an amazing record but I still look at the attack and think it’s only okay. There’s no star player and sometimes you need that player when you’re not playing well, like they weren’t in the cup final.
“I don’t think Arsenal have enough special players in attack and that would worry me a bit for the Champions League. I thought two years ago that (Bukayo) Saka and (Martin) Odegaard were going to be the real deal and be like (Mohamed) Salah and (Kevin) De Bruyne. They were nearly there.
“Arsenal are probably going to win the league but if they do I don’t think any of the attacking players will think they’ve had an amazing season. It’s just not clicked.”
Julian Alvarez set to receive offer
Arsenal’s target Julian Alvarez is reportedly in line for a hefty contract offer from Atletico Madrid in a bid to retain his services.
The 26-year-old Argentine forward has been linked with a switch to the Emirates Stadium in recent weeks, ahead of the summer transfer window.
Arteta is believed to have long admired the ex-Manchester City forward, having considered a potential move before he signed for Atletico in 2024. In fact, it was Gunners’ sporting director Andrea Berta who brought Alvarez to Atletico, prior to his own move to north London.
Barcelona and Chelsea have also been mooted as possible landing spots for Alvarez. However, the striker, who has netted 17 goals this season, might be swayed to stay with the La Liga outfit as Atletico are ready to make him one of their top earners.
Mundo Deportivo report Atletico are prepared to meet Alvarez’s financial expectations after initially hesitating, with a proposed wage of around €10million (£8m) per annum – a rise on the €7m (£6m) he currently pockets. The Colchoneros are reportedly confident he will pledge his long-term future to the club, a move that would significantly complicate Arsenal’s attempts to lure him away.
The 2022 World Cup winner remains tied down until 2030 and carries a €500m (£432m) release clause, far exceeding the €100m (£87m) Barca are thought to be prepared to table for his services.
The report also highlights that official discussions over fresh terms have yet to commence, though Atletico stay confident that Alvarez and his family’s successful settling-in period in Madrid will prove decisive.
