After a summer of cautious optimism, Arsenal’s Premier League campaign got off to the perfect start on Friday night.
The high-profile arrivals of Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Fabio Vieira have given cause for excitement to expectant Gunners supporters. And - on the opening day at least - they delivered on that promise, navigating their way to a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
But Mikel Arteta has hinted that their transfer dealings are not yet complete as they look to return to the Champions League after a six-season hiatus. “We are going to try. If we can do them, great. But now it's work with the players we have, the focus should be with the players we have,” he told Sky Sports.
It appears that a wide forward is high on the list of Arteta’s remaining priorities, having already missed out on Raphinha. The identity of that player remains unknown however, with amateur Arsenal sleuths attempting to unmask the ‘mystery winger’ all over social media.
With that in mind, Mirror Football takes a look at the potential candidates to fill Arteta’s biggest need in the remaining weeks of the summer window.
Cody Gakpo
PSV forward Gakpo has been the name most often linked with a switch to the Emirates this summer. Coming off the back of a campaign which saw him score 21 goals and register 15 assists, the Dutchman is a player in demand.
Football.London have reported that Gakpo is on Arsenal’s radar and would likely be available for around £40million. Mirror Football understands that Manchester United have emerged as a potential rival to his signing after Erik ten Hag switched his attention to the player in the wake of their failed pursuit of Ajax’s Antony.
On PSV’s part, while they will not stand in the way should the 22-year-old be subject of an appropriate bid, but they would prefer to keep him for a few more weeks in order to help them reach the Champions League group stage.
Moussa Diaby
Along with Gakpo, Diaby appears to be the most credible of all the targets to be the aforementioned ‘mystery winger’. He would likely cost a little more than Gakpo - Bayer Leverkusen value him at £60m - but his profile matches what the Gunners are looking for.
Spurious reports over the weekend had suggested that Stan Kroenke had given the green light to sign Diaby, although that appears premature at this point. Leverkusen are ready to play hardball in any negotiations as well, having already fought off interest from Newcastle.
There is no pressure from the player’s side as well, with Diaby making it clear he is more than content to stick with the German giants: “I’ve made my decision and will play for Bayer Leverkusen again next season.”
Pedro Neto
If a move for Diaby appears unlikely, landing Pedro Neto is closer on the scale to the 'far-fetched' end of the scale. Wolves ’ imminent transfer of Goncalo Guedes had heightened anticipation that one of their other Portuguese stars could be on the way out.
And while things could change, the likelihood of Neto leaving Molineux this summer appears slim to none. Wolves hold all the chips in negotiations having tied him to a long-term contract earlier this year.
The Wanderers are reportedly holding out for £40m to allow Morgan Gibbs-White to join Nottingham Forest. Any approach for his team-mate would probably be closer to double that.
Leroy Sane
The winger only joined Bayern Munich in 2020, but has so far underwhelmed since his £55m switch from Manchester City. Reports have been rife that the German champions could cash in on the winger, with plenty of interest from the Premier League.
Mirror Football reported that United made a surprise enquiry for the 26-year-old over the weekend, but Arsenal’s interest dates back further. Sky Sport Germany claims Emirates bosses have made contact with Bayern chiefs, although they are reluctant to sell having yet to see the best of him.
