Arsenal have an obvious £55m transfer priority after striker search ends

Arsenal find themselves in an unusual position this summer as they await the transfer window reopening on Monday.

On the face of things, they are not far off where they need to be. They finished runners-up again in the Premier League and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League but, of course, Mikel Arteta knows that he needs to take the next step with this team.

When a team is so close to getting the job done, it can be hard to prioritise where they need to strengthen to get over the finish line. Initially, the challenge does not seem overly complicated as the Gunners severely lacked options in the centre-forward position this season.

In an ideal world, both Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres will arrive at the club but even if just one of those targets arrives, it will still be a good bit of business for the club. After that, it feels at first like a left-sided winger should be brought in considering the lack of depth in that role.

However, in our opinion the priority after the striker search concludes should be obvious. Arsenal need to get the deal for Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi over the line.

There is an argument to suggest that this deal should be sorted even before a striker arrives considering all the uncertainty that currently hangs over the fanbase. From all accounts this deal, which is thought to be about to cost Arsenal £55m, is as good as done but as we all know that clearly does not make it official.

Real Madrid are thought to have been sniffing around Zubimendi and while it appears they were too late to that party, it is now the time for the Gunners to sort this deal and move on with the rest of their summer business. After that, a move for a left-sided winger could be easier considering the statement of intent that signing the Spanish international would be.

This deal has been talked about for long enough now, that’s why it should be Arsenal’s top priority once the striker search ends.