Mikel Arteta is set to make a major change to his transfer plans for the summer transfer window.
According to The Sun, The Arsenal boss is scaling back on his plans for a major spending spree after initially targeting up to seven new signings. It is believed that he will now focus on three signings for the upcoming season.
The report goes on to claim that the Gunners’ failure to qualify for the Champions League at the end of the campaign has resulted in the decision to change Arsenal’s transfer plans. Edu spearheaded an overhaul to the squad last season as Arsenal spent £150million in the summer. A similar theme was expected to be followed ahead of this window.
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After missing out on the Champions League by two points to rivals Spurs, Arteta made it clear how important the upcoming transfer window will be for Arsenal.
"We are going to have certain resources. Not unlimited resources, certain resources. With those resources, we have to do what we have to do in the best possible way.
"We don’t know what the rest are going to have in terms of resources, which I assume is going to be challenging because now it’s not a top-three or top-four league, there’s a top eight, or 10 teams that are involved. That’s why we have to find a way to do again what we did last summer." Arteta said in his final pre-match conference of the 2021/22 season earlier in the month.
If the Gunners are to only sign three players ahead of next season, then it seems likely that Arteta will target a full-back, midfield and striker signing.
football.london understands that Arsenal are in the hunt for a full-back with Bologna defender Aaron Hickey a possible signing. This comes alongside reports that Nuno Tavares could be sent away on loan to another club.
The Gunners have also been heavily linked to Gabriel Jesus. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Gunners are preparing the opening bid for Jesus. Manchester City want around £50million to sell the forward, even if his current deal won’t be extended. Romano went on to claim that Arsenal already discussed a transfer with Jesus’ agent. "We like the project," Marcelo Pettinati told Romano.
Youri Tielemans is the midfielder that Arsenal have been linked to Romano also claiming that the Belgian is Arsenal's primary midfield target. Meanwhile, Ruben Neves and Arthur Melo continue to be admired.
He wrote in his Caught Offside column: "Arsenal are taking their time in choosing the new midfielder.
"Ruben Neves and Arthur Melo have been two names on the list for some time, two very popular players in the club; the priority as of now goes to Youri Tielemans."
If Arsenal only manage to sign three players in the summer transfer window then it would certainly be a decision that is questioned by the supporters. The Gunners were close to Champions League qualification in the last campaign, but a strong push in the transfer market could give Arsenal the advantage for a top-four finish next season.
