Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is also set to have a major say in sporting director Andrea Berta’s transfer plans, and the Spaniard is pretty keen for his new transfer chief to instigate a deal for one high-earning forward.
Arsenal targeting new winger alongside a striker
Talks over Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig Benjamin Sesko have dominated the headlines around N5 for the last few weeks, but Berta remains in the market for a new winger as well.
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Arsenal submit “concrete offer” to sign star who wants over £250k-per-week
The Gunners have lodged their opening bid.
Arsenal were thought to be genuine contenders to sign Leroy Sane on a free transfer from Bayern Munich, and even held talks with the German’s representatives.
|
Arsenal transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports) |
Money on new signings |
|---|---|
|
19/20 – winter |
£0 |
|
20/21 – summer |
£81.5m |
|
20/21 – winter |
£900k |
|
21/22 – summer |
£156.8m |
|
21/22 – winter |
£1.8m |
|
22/23 – summer |
£121.5m |
|
22/23 – winter |
£59m |
|
23/24 – summer |
£208m |
|
23/24 – winter |
£0 |
|
24/25 – summer |
£101.5m |
|
24/25 – winter |
£0 |
However, as per Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, the north Londoners communicated their desire for Sane to stall on his decision, with Galatasaray ultimately moving ahead of Arsenal and winning the race for his signature.
“There were many offers. But Galatasaray as a whole impressed me greatly,” Sane said after his switch to Turkey was confirmed, with Galatasaray supporters waiting to catch a glimpse of his arrival at the airport for hours on end.
“I was very impressed by the atmosphere, by the size of the club, by how much they wanted me, by how much interest they showed in me. That’s why I’m here at Galatasaray.
“I’m very grateful to the fans. It means a lot to me that they came here at this hour. I’m really looking forward to my first game in front of these fans.”
The 29-year-old was by no means Berta’s only wide target, though. The Italian has apparently held “numerous” talks over wingers, and one of them is believed to be £204,000-per-week Real Madrid star Rodrygo.
The Brazilian remains high on Arsenal’s shortlist after weeks of links, especially when it comes to Arteta.
Arteta wants Rodrygo with Arsenal set for “crucial” meeting
According to Football Transfers, Arsenal are set for “crucial” internal talks over a deal for Rodrygo this week, as they attempt to figure out how they can land both the 24-year-old and Sesko.
Financially, the transfers will be hard to pull off, so Gunners chiefs will debate how to get Sesko and Rodrygo through the door without damaging their balance sheet.
Negotiating a fee below Sesko’s £68 million release clause will be key to this, and it is believed Arteta is “convinced” that Arsenal should sign Rodrygo as well as the Slovenia international.
Fabrizio Romano has claimed that the Real star is a “dream” target for Arsenal, which is hardly surprising considering his experience at the top level and flashes of excellent form under Carlo Ancelotti last season.
However, the arrival of new Real boss Xabi Alonso will likely have a major say on whether Arsenal can indeed pull off a move for Rodrygo.
