TRANSFER EXPLOSION: Arsenal’s £162m Masterplan to DOMINATE the Premier League!
Dream Arsenal Lineup After £162m Transfers: Kimmich and Calafiori Sign, Gyokeres Deal
Arsenal announced their first summer signing on Thursday, with more changes anticipated. David Raya has officially joined Arsenal following a successful loan from Brentford last season. The Gunners activated the £27 million purchase option agreed upon last summer.
Reports from football.london indicate that Raya’s signing is just the beginning. Edu and Mikel Arteta aim to bolster other areas of the squad.
Key Targets: Riccardo Calafiori and Joshua Kimmich
One target is Bologna’s versatile defender Riccardo Calafiori. The 22-year-old, who excelled as both a center-back and left-back in Serie A, helped Bologna secure a Champions League spot and impressed at Euro 2024 with Italy. Arsenal is competing with Chelsea for Calafiori, but Arsenal’s Champions League qualification and Premier League ambitions give them an edge. Bologna is asking for €50 million (£42.5 million) for Calafiori. If signed, he could address uncertainties around Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior, and provide backup for Gabriel at center-back.
Arteta is also seeking a central midfield upgrade. Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard were regulars last season, but the third midfield spot rotated among Jorginho, Thomas Partey, Fabio Vieira, and Emile Smith Rowe. A potential addition is Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich. With his contract ending next year, Kimmich might leave Bayern. He can play as a defensive midfielder or right-back, allowing Rice to play as a left-sided No. 8 more often. Kimmich, currently with Germany at Euro 2024, might cost around €40 million (£33.9 million) if Bayern decides to sell him. Kimmich has expressed some uncertainty about his future, focusing on the European Championship before making any decisions.
Forward Options: Viktor Gyokeres and Others
Arsenal is also in the market for a new forward. They were interested in Benjamin Sesko, but he extended his contract with RB Leipzig. Other targets include Nico Williams, Johan Bakayoko, and Alexander Isak. Another option is Viktor Gyokeres. The 26-year-old had an outstanding season at Sporting CP, scoring 43 goals and providing 15 assists in 50 games. Gyokeres, who joined Sporting from Coventry last summer, brings experience in English football. Arsenal would need to meet his €100 million (£85.7 million) release clause to sign him. If they do, Gyokeres would likely lead Arsenal’s attack for the 2024/25 season, alongside Bukayo Saka and either Gabriel Martinelli or Leandro Trossard.
A potential Arsenal lineup after these transfers could be: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Kimmich, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli.
