For the first time in a while, a clear blueprint is in place at Arsenal ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Gunners' season may not see the perfect ending everybody was hoping for, but there continues to be a positive feeling around the place under Mikel Arteta's management. Missing out on the Premier League title will only be a minor bump in the road if the recruitment is spot on at the end of the season.
A big summer awaits Arsenal in both departments. Players like Granit Xhaka and Folarin Balogun face likely exits from N7 while most areas of Arteta's squad could be strengthened ahead of the Gunners' return to the UEFA Champions League in September.
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Owner Stan Kroenke is expected to back Edu Gaspar and Arteta in the summer, with recent claims saying £200 million will be made available for new recruits. football.london understands that West Ham star Declan Rice is a priority, with Brighton ace Moises Caicedo another name on the club's radar.
Other than midfield, Arsenal are also keen to bolster their attacking options with Bayer Leverkusen's Moussa Diaby linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium. However, investing in a player capable of filling a number of positions could prove valuable.
PSV Eindhoven superstar Xavi Simons is one of Europe's hottest prospects after his first season in the Netherlands. The 20-year-old has contributed to 31 goals in 46 appearances and has been Ruud van Nistelrooy's best player since Noni Madueke and Cody Gakpo left in January.
Capable of playing as a false nine, winger and attacking playmaker, Simons has become one of Europe's hottest talents in the space of 12 months. The CIES Football Observatory has him valued at €50m ($54.4m), but it's probable that PSV will demand nearly double that.
However, Arsenal may hold an advantage over others in the race for his signature. Last week it was announced that the player has switched representatives to English agents Darren Dein and Stuart Peters - who represent former Arsenal players Cesc Fabregas, Alex Song and Gael Clichy.
The decision to switch his management could lead to a move to north London, according to former PSV boss Aad de Mos. "It indicates that he is searching. Maybe he's thinking about Arsenal," De Mos told the Eindhovens Dagblad.
"His new agents have many contacts at Arsenal. Arsene Wenger was also there. I hope Earnest Stewart (PSV's technical director) manages to keep Simons here."
Simons may not be at the top of Edu's shopping list this summer. But the playmaker's move to switch agents certainly provides Arsenal with an edge.
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