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Football London
Football London
Sport
Bailey Keogh

Edu given serious Arsenal reminder as European rivals complete deals for ideal summer targets

Transfers from around the footballing world recently should have sent Edu a key reminder for the summer transfer window. Arsenal were unable to sign a player in the winter market as the club were caught on their heels for a few deals, which cannot happen again.

The club have not got off to the best of starts as two possible bargain transfers are set to make moves away from their clubs already ahead of next season. Mikel Arteta’s side will need major investment in the summer if the club are to progress to being a regular Champions League side.

With the summer window opening in less than six months, it is imperative that Edu begins working on deals now. Arsenal have already lost out on potential signings in Franck Kessie and Divock Origi from Liverpool.

READ MORE: Mikel Arteta's proposed £46m striker transfer has passed his Arsenal audition thanks to Chelsea

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According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Kessie has signed as a new Barcelona player until June 2026. The Ivorian midfielder was available on a free transfer.

The north London side have previously been linked to Kessie. The Mirror had claimed that Arsenal, along with Manchester United and Spurs, are interested in securing the Ivorian's services.

Kessie is still only 24-years-old but has the necessary Champions League experience, and has been a Serie A regular for over five seasons. He has been crucial for AC Milan in recent years having played 214 games for the Rossoneri and contributing to 52 goals.

However, Arsenal missed out on this transfer steal. Kessie would have been a good acquisition as the Gunners will be in desperate need of a new midfielder at the end of the season.

This was an opportunity missed for the north London side. It further shows that Edu must be proactive ahead of the summer transfer window to avoid losing out on excellent deals.

Italian news outlet Calciomercato have reported that Origi has verbally agreed to join AC Milan on a free transfer at the end of the season. This was another deal that certainly could have been explored by Arsenal.

Origi shouldn’t be considered as Arsenal’s main striker signing for the summer. But he would certainly be an excellent backup option ahead of next season, and signing him on a free transfer would mean that the Gunners would not have needed to overspend to secure his services.

Kessie and Origi were certainly two opportunities missed for Arsenal ahead of the summer transfer window. It should also have provided Edu with the key reminder that he must be proactive to give Arteta the best chance of competing next season.

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