Arsenal can complete four more major transfers once Riccardo Calafiori deal is clinched

Mikel Arteta and Edu will undoubtedly working hard on more transfers after Arsenal confirmed the signing of David Raya on Thursday. The Spaniard spent last season on loan at Emirates Stadium from Brentford with a £27million buy-option activated to make his move permanent.

The Gunners will be keen to recruit in several areas following a second consecutive season of marginally losing out on the Premier League title to Manchester City. football.london understands a priority for Arteta is to bring a new midfielder to the club.

Having missed out on the signing of Benjamin Sesko, Arsenal’s transfer plans altered slightly with the addition of a right-sided winger mooted. However, it looks as though the Gunners will first attempt to strengthen their defensive options with talks for the transfer of Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna ongoing.

As exits are also likely to occur, replacements may be needed with Aaron Ramsdale potentially one to leave. With all of that being said, football.london has taken a look at five transfers Arsenal could complete this summer following on from the arrival of Raya.

Though plenty of clubs across Europe have been linked to Calafiori, Arsenal look set to sign him ahead of the 2024/25 season. Having already reached an agreement on personal terms with the 21-year-old, as per reports, Arsenal are now in negotiations with Bologna over a fee, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.

The last 12 months have been excellent for Calafiori with his performances in Italy helping Bologna finish in a Champions League qualification spot. More dominant defensive displays at the European championships saw interest increase significantly with Juventus, who had led the way for his signature, pulling out of the race as Arsenal advanced.

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Viktor Gyokeres

Losing out on Sesko was a blow for Arteta and Arsenal, but there are still affordable alternatives out there. Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres is certainly one of those following his fantastic first season in Portugal after leaving Coventry City.

From 50 appearances in all competitions, the 26-year-old scored an incredible 43 goals with Sporting winning the Portuguese league title. Arsenal and Chelsea have been among the clubs linked to Gyokeres with his asking price now at £85million.

While not quite the £55m-rated Sesko, Gyokeres is far cheaper than his fellow Swedish international Alexander Isak. Newcastle were demanding a triple-figure fee to sell Isak with the club’s financial concerns well-documented.

Youssouf Fofana

With Partey expected to be sold, Arsenal will need a new defensive midfielder and AS Monaco’s Youssouf Fofana may be the perfect replacement. The France international, still at Euro at 2024 after scoring his penalty in the quarter-final win over Portugal, sees his contract expire next summer with it therefore likely he is sold this summer for a fee.

Considering his contract situation, Arsenal could sign Fofana in a cheap deal with no major interest from elsewhere. With his future up in the air, the 25-year-old offered his verdict which seemed to suggest he will be leaving. “I have spoken about it with the hierarchy, it isn’t a secret,” he told a press conference.

“We had exchanges and they agreed to accompany me in this new stage. “If [a move] doesn’t happen, I still have a year left and I will be happy to stay. We were in agreement that we would accompany each other in this process in which everyone should be a winner, be it me or the club.”

Johan Bakayoko

Acquiring depth for Bukayo Saka has been an Arsenal transfer aim for some time. The 22-year-old, while regularly excellent, often has to contend with minor injuries as he is given minimal time to rest and recover. Reiss Nelson is certainly an option to fill in, but Arteta does not appear to trust the 24-year-old, who has since been linked to an exit.

PSV star Johan Bakayoko has been one name linked to a Premier League transfer with Arsenal as an option. Liverpool are also said to be eyeing a move for the Belgium international, though Nico Williams may be more of a priority.

Having managed 28 goal contributions from 48 appearances last season, Arsenal certainly know what they are getting from the winger if he were to make the move with €50million (£43m) set as his asking price.

Joan Garcia

Signing a new goalkeeper will ultimately depend on the future of Aaron Ramsdale. With Raya through the door permanently now, it looks as though Ramsdale could push for a move elsewhere, given he is clearly no longer the No.1.

Multiple potential replacements have already been linked with Espanyol’s Joan Garcia the best fit for Arteta and Arsenal. Having only recently got into the first-team, Garcia helped Espanyol achieve promotion back to La Liga with 11 clean sheets during his tenure between the sticks.

The 23-year-old is also of a very similar profile to Raya with the two Spanish goalkeepers experts with the ball at their feet.