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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Ben Husband

Arsenal want £30m transfer confirmed in 'matter of days' as Edu sets firm deadline

Arsenal will conclude their pre-season preparations on Sunday when they face North London rivals Tottenham.

It will then be all eyes on Brentford as they look to get their Premier League campaign off to a fast start.

The Gunners actually ended last season in good form, only narrowly missing out on a place that would have secured European football.

However, in the immediate aftermath of his first full campaign, Mikel Arteta made it clear that the squad would need to adapt for them to continue their progression.

Thus far, Arsenal have made three signings with Nuno Tavres and Albert Sambi Lokonga arriving with an eye on the future and £50million Ben White very much for the here and now.

Arsenal technical director Edu has now turned his attentions to signing a new goalkeeper (Getty Images)

White’s arrival ensured Arteta’s top priority for the summer was achieved, but more players will be required to fully satisfy his ambition.

It is understood that following the centre-back’s arrival, Arteta and technical director Edu shifted their focus towards landing a new goalkeeper.

Arsenal decided to sanction the departure of Emiliano Martinez last summer, a decision which is threatening to come back to bite them after a brilliant first season with Aston Villa.

The man that was preferred to Martinez - Bernd Leno - has continued to divide opinion and his struggles with the ball at his feet could force the Gunners into action.

Against Chelsea last weekend, Arteta was visibly frustrated at the German after he kicked the ball out of play when under little pressure.

Arthur Okonkwo has been handed a chance during pre-season friendlies but after a blunder against Hibernian it was confirmed he would be third-choice.

Meanwhile, Runar Alex Runarsson, who was signed as a replacement for Martinez, is free to leave after error-strewn performances in his maiden season.

That means the Gunners now have a glaring need to add competition behind Leno and someone that will eventually replace him.

Aaron Ramsdale remains the club’s top target in the position and according to Football.London a fresh bid is being prepared to acquire his services.

It is expected that the offer won’t reach the £30m valuation Sheffield United have placed on the ‘keeper, but could be one that tests the Blades’ resolve.

The report adds that Arsenal want Aaron Ramsdale signed before the Championship club start their Carabao Cup run against Carlisle on August 10.

Should Ramsdale play in that fixture it would of course mean he would be cup-tied for his new club and seriously limit the amount of games he will be available to play in.

That could therefore ‘force Arsenal’s hand’ in the coming days and could see talks swiftly accelerate.

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