Manchester City are splashing the cash. Liverpool are not too far behind them. Chelsea are trying to but have tied themselves in knots. That is the state of the early summer transfer window.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are biding their time. Despite this being a pivotal few months for Mikel Arteta and new sporting director Andrea Berta, it has been a low-key start.
The only major business has been a new contract for Gabriel Magalhaes. Usually it would be said that this could be Arsenal’s biggest signing of the summer but in this case it would be a surprise.
Arsenal are in need of a mini rebuild across the squad with fringe players set to depart and key positions ready to be upgraded. A winger, striker, midfielder, and goalkeeper are all priorities.
Depending on the exits, this could amount to significantly more. For example, if Thomas Partey does leave at the end of his contract later this month (like Jorginho, who has gone to Flamengo in time for the Club World Cup), then surely another body will be required as well as the expected deal for Martin Zubimendi.
Despite things being in order since January, Zubimendi is yet to be totally completed by Arsenal, although the expectation is that he joins. That is the biggest real piece of activity for Arsenal so far.
They are progressing in a surprise move to bring in Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea, football.london understands, but that is to fill the backup goalkeeper role. They will, at least, save money with Kepa. He has a £5million release clause in his contract which makes him at least £10million cheaper than alternative option Joan Garcia.
How will Arsenal use those additional funds? It waits to be seen. The main position of interest is a No.9, and there has been no secret in the plans to buy one.
The direction of travel points towards Benjamin Sesko but Viktor Gyokeres remains available. Both players have been on Arsenal’s radar for well over 12 months.
That has not made for speedy work this summer, though. Things are still bubbling under as Berta continues to lay the groundwork for several moves at once before deciding what the final play will be further down the line.
It is an approach which differs to that of City, Liverpool, and Chelsea specifically. With the demands of the Club World Cup, City have accelerated their squad overhaul and have added Tijjani Reijnders to Rayan Ait-Nouri for new additions this summer.
Rayan Cherki has also joined Pep Guardiola’s side. That comes after Vitor Reis, Abdukodir Khusanov, and Omar Marmoush were purchased in January. They have already committed to £113.5million worth of summer transfers.
Liverpool, on the other hand, have announced Jeremie Frimpong and are working on Florian Wirtz doggedly for a record transfer fee. Milos Kerkez is in line to go to Anfield as well.
Chelsea are rarely the example to follow but have got Liam Delap over the line early, addressing one of their main needs. They have also been active in pursuing Mike Maignan and Jamie Gittens.
Manchester United are hardly rivals of Arsenal right now but they have been sharp to get a move on investing in Ruben Amorim. Matheus Cunha is through the door whilst Bryan Mbeumo is being pursued. These are all the signs of clubs taking advantage of the window opening earlier than usual.
Arsenal have no such immediate deadline with the Club World Cup and can therefore be a bit more relaxed. However, their approach to the summer has certainly been different to their elite rivals and it will raise questions around Berta if things do not start moving once the window re opens on June 16.
