Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has insisted that the club will still be in the market for more signings once they wrap up a deal for Oleksandr Zinchenko.
The Gunners chief is bidding to bolster a squad that missed out on a top-four finish in the final weeks of the Premier League season. Arteta has been busy already this summer and has snapped up Marquinhos, Matt Turner, Fabio Vieira and Gabriel Jesus in recent weeks.
Arsenal are now poised to conclude their second raid on Manchester City in as many weeks, with Zinchenko on the verge of sealing a £30million switch to the Emirates Stadium. But Arteta is adamant that the Londoners still have more work to do before the transfer window slams shut in September.
When Arteta was quizzed on the Gunners' transfer plans by Sky Sports, he said: "We’ve been trying to [sign players earlier] and we have two recruitments already. Until the end of the market we will keep trying to improve the squad and there are so many parties involved and sometimes things are not as quick as you want."
Arsenal have been linked with a host of names this summer, and reports claim that the Gunners could still try to prise long-term target Youri Tielemans away from Leicester City in the coming weeks - even though Zinchenko is expected to be deployed as a midfielder by Arteta.
The Athletic claimed on Monday night that the Gunners were 'finalising' a deal for Zinchenko after reaching 'an agreement in principle' with the 25-year-old on a four-year contract.
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However, Arteta was coy when he was pressed for an update on the Zinchenko deal just hours before the news broke. He added: "There is no update with anybody and when there are updates we will let you know. We’re looking at different options in different positions and we’ll give you an update when we have it."
Arsenal's move for Zinchenko comes just weeks after they prised Jesus away from Manchester City in a £45million deal to become the club's new No.9.
Arteta was desperate to boost the Gunners firepower this summer, and Jesus - who racked up 25 goal contributions for City last term - has made an instant impact during the club's pre-season fixtures.
The 25-year-old has netted in consecutive games against FC Nurnberg and Everton to leave Arteta purring. The Gunners boss said: "[Jesus] has a smile on his face and he feels important. He’s bringing a special energy to the group and big experience."
