The upcoming summer transfer window will focus on the forward and midfield areas for Arsenal with significant departures expected in the final third of the side in particular.
Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah will leave Arsenal when their contracts expire following Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang through the departure doors after his winter exit to Barcelona. The midfield will also see Mohamed Elneny leave as his deal comes to an end.
Granit Xhaka’s future also remains uncertain with Roma expected to return with interest in the summer after failing with a move for the Swiss midfielder in 2021 football.london understands. Should the 29-year-old leave, it would present the best opportunity to take the position up a couple of notches.
Upgrading the two areas will be at the top of manager Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu’s to-do list come June.
Interestingly, a central midfielder of great quality has emerged as an option for the Gunners.
According to the Mirror, Arsenal representatives have met with Fabian Ruiz’s agents to get a feel for the Spaniard’s demands after the midfielder rejected a new contract with Napoli.
With his deal expiring in 2023, this summer will be the best opportunity to extract maximum value from the player should he decide to move on. Valued at £49.5m on Transfermarkt, Arsenal will hope his contract situation allows them to negotiate a lower fee.
Left-footed, he would slot straight into the role that Xhaka has occupied in Mikel Arteta’s new 4-3-3 system that sees Martin Odegaard and the Swiss midfielder play together in a midfield two ahead of Thomas Partey.
The difference is Fabian would bring far more to Arsenal’s attacking game. Defensively, despite maybe not being as good as Xhaka, he is not lacking in the department and operates as a well-balanced central midfielder.
However, Arsenal can further their exploits in Naples and solve their striking problems by organizing a double deal with Victor Osimhen.
Napoli are reportedly open to letting the Nigerian forward leave for €70m (£58.3m) according to Gazzetta dello Sport via Football Italia.
Osimhen would offer plenty of goal threat and the electric pace lost from Aubameyang’s departure.
Although with both deals, Arsenal’s participation in the Champions League is sure to play a huge role in the likelihood of an agreement.
Napoli are in a race for the title in Serie A, three points behind leaders AC Milan with a game in hand for good measure. With Juventus lagging behind, they’re considerably clear of fifth place and will likely be able to offer players elite European football next season.
Therefore the Gunners will need to at least match this offering. Should they prove successful, moving from Xhaka and Lacazette to Fabian Ruiz and Osimhen would represent an achievement in levelling up the squad ahead of the 2022/23 season.
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