Arsenal can give Xavi Simons dream welcome gift if Andrea Berta seals £60m transfer

Arsenal have already secured the signing of Noni Madueke this summer and are closing in on a deal to bring Viktor Gyokeres to Emirates Stadium, too.

football.london understands that business will not stop here, though, with a third attacking player likely to arrive through the door before the transfer window slams shut on September 1. Eberechi Eze is understood to be the priority target with both Xavi Simons and Rodrygo other names to have been considered.

Simons is the name doing the rounds more so than the others at the minute, with the 22-year-old apparently making it clear that he wants to leave RB Leipzig this summer. The attacking midfielder, who can also play on the left, scored 11 goals and made eight more in 33 appearances last season.

New sporting director Andrea Berta has already brought in Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Madueke this window. Cristhian Mosquera is expected to arrive from Valencia in a £15million deal in the coming days, while talks with Sporting over a move for Gyokeres continue with an agreement over how the add-ons are paid yet to be struck.

Simons could well be the third attacker to arrive in north London, although Chelsea are said to be interested as well. Any move is likely to cost around the £60million mark but the Gunners can offer something the Blues cannot.

After initially wearing the No.20 shirt during his time at Leipzig, Simons swapped to No.10 for the 2024/25 season and appeared to favour the number. He has also worn the number while playing for PSG’s youth sides and at international level with the Netherlands.

At Arsenal, the No.10 shirt number is currently unoccupied. Emile Smith Rowe was the last player to wear No.10 on the back of his shirt at Arsenal but he left for Fulham last summer. That means, then, should Simons move to Arsenal in the coming weeks he could be given the ultimate welcome gift – his dream shirt number.

It remains to be seen if Simons does indeed join the north Londoners but Arteta made it clear on Monday that he wants additional signings to be made. “There’s still a long time in the window and we are seeking still, in terms of numbers, we are short and we have to improve the depth and quality of the squad,” the Spaniard admitted.

“We are constantly looking in the market. Until that happens, focus on the players we have and focus on them and I’m very pleased with what I have seen in the last 10-15 days.”

He added: “I’m very pleased, that’s all I’ll say. There are a lot of parties and things that we have to bear in mind to get a player over the line and here. I’m very hopeful that we are going to do it very soon.”