As with a number of transfer targets in the past, Arsenal look set to face significant competition in the market this summer. That is going to be no different in the upcoming window. As Mikel Arteta aims to beat the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur to a Champions League place come the end of the season, he may have to fight off the Gunners’ Premier League rivals off the pitch too.
The starkest threat to Arsenal’s summer transfer plans appear to be Ralf Rangnick’s Red Devils, with United holding an interest in a number of the Gunners’ key targets. And a United move to bring Erik ten Hag to be the club's new manager, could have an even bigger impact. The first is Benfica forward Darwin Nunez - the Uruguayan having long been a name associated with a switch to the Emirates Stadium.
After 26 goals in all competitions for the Portuguese giants this term, there is hope that he could potentially be the ideal forward that Arsenal are searching for - especially after they missed out on the signing of Dusan Vlahovic in the summer. It will certainly not be easy to secure his services, though.
READ MORE: Arsenal sent Youri Tielemans transfer message as Leicester begin ‘talks’ over summer transfer
The striker is apparently valued at €80million (£67m) by Benfica and it’s the Red Devils who appear to have stolen an early march. According to The Telegraph, United’s negotiations for the forward are considerably more advanced than Arsenal’s own efforts to secure Nunez, whilst Newcastle United are also noted as admirers.
Whilst Arsenal of course have other options on their shortlist - the likes of Alexander Isak, Victor Osimhen and Dominic Calvert-Lewin having all been mentioned - the blow of losing a significant target to a direct rival would be a blow. The same could also be said in midfield.
The Gunners have long been linked with Leicester City star Youri Tielemans and it is looking increasingly likely that the Belgian will wave goodbye to the King Power Stadium sooner rather than later, with his contract set to expire next summer. The former Monaco and Anderlecht man is under consideration as an addition to the centre of the park due to ongoing doubt over Granit Xhaka’s future at the Emirates Stadium.
Having sparkled for the Foxes over recent seasons, there is also expected to be significant competition for his services - particularly from Old Trafford. Manchester United themselves also need additions in midfield, with Paul Pogba looking likely to leave. The Red Devils have been noted as admirers of Tielemans in the past, whilst as per The Telegraph, Liverpool and Real Madrid are also keeping a close eye on developments.
Like Nunez though, a deal for the Belgian is not expected to be cheap. He is currently valued at around £37million by the CIES Football Observatory - whilst reports suggest that a fee of £25million would be enough to tempt Leicester into selling. Both Tielemans and Nunez would be excellent additions to the Arsenal line-up and would strengthen two positions within the squad that need the most investment. However, Manchester United create particular problems ahead of the window - and it is down to the Gunners to solve those.
