Mikel Arteta is set to strengthen his Arsenal squad this summer and has drawn up a six-man transfer target list including Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo.
The Gunners will compete in the Champions League for the first time in five years next season and Arteta is keen to bolster his ranks ready for Europe's elite competition. Arsenal mathematically confirmed their place in the competition last week with five matches to go - despite a slight drop-off in form.
However, Arteta doesn't want to settle for a top-four place and believes the title race is still in the balance after the Gunners beat Chelsea 3-1 on Tuesday night. Even if they don't win the Premier League this term, there has been massive progress at the Emirates Stadium - improvement Arteta wants to continue.
With that in mind, the Gunners are expected to be busy in the summer window. According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal are tracking the services of six players, with Rice and Caicedo at the top of their midfield shopping list.
Rice has emerged as Arsenal's priority midfield target in recent weeks - and Arteta is 'increasingly confident' he can lure the England international to the Emirates Stadium. The Spaniard is hoping to hold talks with the 24-year-old before the end of the season, with Rice's current deal out next summer.
However, West Ham are adamant he is not for sale despite rejecting several offers. They want to keep Rice at the club long-term and have the option to extend his contract for a further 12 months to 2025.
Meanwhile, Caicedo is also on Arsenal's radar - four months since his proposed January switch was scuppered on deadline day. The Ecuadorian looked set to move to the Gunners in a deal worth around £70million before Brighton made their stance clear that he was not for sale.
But the Gunners will go again to try and sign Caicedo at the end of the season. The 21-year-old released a statement admitting his desire to leave Brighton for Arsenal in January, and although he has since spoken about his progress at the Seagulls, he could be tempted to finally make his dream move to the north London club.
Rice and Caicedo aren't the only two midfield options. Southampton starlet Romeo Lavia is being tracked by the Gunners after impressing at St Mary's this season. The Belgian made the move from Manchester City last summer and has shone despite Saints' dreadful Premier League form.
Arsenal are also looking at new wingers. Wilfried Zaha has been named as a target with his Crystal Palace contract out of contract this summer. Zaha has been linked with a move for the Gunners over the years and could provide competition for Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
Moussa Diaby is the one that has excited a lot of Arsenal fans, however, with the Frenchman tipped to leave Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the campaign. Diaby has scored nine times and provided eight assists in 29 appearances for the German side so far this season - and Newcastle are amongst his other admirers.
As for the final target, Arteta is likely to add another centre-back given Rob Holding's mixed form since William Saliba's injury. Palace's Marc Guehi has impressed since his move from Chelsea in 2021 and is being monitored by the Gunners ahead of the summer transfer window.
