Mikel Arteta has been handed some big updates on three of his Arsenal summer transfer targets. The Gunners are yet to confirm any arrivals ahead of the 2025/26 season but two deals are all but wrapped up while further incomings are being worked on by Andrea Berta.
Spanish duo Martin Zubimendi and Kepa Arrizabalaga are expected to be Arsenal players going forward while progress has been made in their pursuit of Benjamin Sesko. A few setbacks and twists over other targets have emerged, however.
Signing a wide forward is one aim for Arsenal this summer with Arteta a keen admirer of Rodrygo and Nico Williams. Barcelona are clear favourites for the latter while their La Liga rivals Real Madrid have provided a fresh update on the Brazilian.
With all of that being said, football.london provides a fresh perspective on the latest Arsenal transfer news and rumours.
Rodrygo and Gyokeres twists
In the last 24 hours, fresh updates on Rodrygo and Gyokeres have come to light. For the latter, despite Sesko appearing as the main striker target, talkSPORT’s Alex Crook has provided an intriguing update.
“I had a message 24 hours or so ago suggesting that Viktor Gyokeres has told friends and family he expects to join Arsenal,” he said.
“Sporting are going to play hardball, [though]. There’s been a fallout between Gyokeres and the club because his agent has suggested that they had a gentleman’s agreement he could leave for £60million, I think they’re looking for nearer £80m.
“Arsenal are juggling both him and Benjamin Sesko, they’ve opened talks with Leipzig as well but at the moment, I would say Gyokeres looks the more likely.”
For Rodrygo, it is the complete opposite with the 24-year-old likely wanting to remain at Real Madrid. He grabbed an assist during their opening clash at the Club World Cup and he later issued a clear message after the 1-1 draw.
On Instagram, alongside some action shots, he said: “Tough debut, so happy to be back… let’s go!”
football.london says: Arsenal are likely going to face very different complicating factors when trying to sign Rodrygo and Gyokeres.
The latter’s private feelings over confidence in joining the Gunners is certainly interesting when taking into account the talk surrounding Sesko. There is a world in which both may be signed but that is highly unlikely due to the finances involved.
As for Rodrygo, that was just a brief reminder of his quality and though he was in the starting XI, a prominent role under Xabi Alonso is not guaranteed. Kylian Mbappe was absent from the clash and the system Alonso wants to deploy involves getting the best out of him and Vinicius Jr which leaves Rodrygo in a tough spot.
Williams ‘agreement’
Arsenal’s hopes of signing Williams have taken another big hit as he has now agreed personal terms with Barcelona. An admiration from Arteta has been present prior to his breakout displays at Euro 2024 but his own demands have always been a stumbling block.
The La Liga champions have seemingly got past that with relative ease however, and thus it is sure to be a matter of time before his release clause is activated.
football.london says: This is a real cruel blow to Arteta with Williams having been his dream wide forward target for the last two summer windows.
The impact elsewhere is also quite significant with Rodrygo really the only elite-level addition remaining on the club’s shortlist. There are potential financial complications in that deal as well, however.
Avoiding the nightmare scenario from last summer when a last-minute loan deal for Raheem Sterling was sanctioned has to be the priority. Even if Williams and Rodrygo do not move, Arsenal need a suitable back-up option that is not a panic move.
