Dream Arsenal transfer window as Viktor Gyokeres and Nico Williams ‘deals agreed’ and five leave

Mikel Arteta will be hoping Andrea Berta can significantly upgrade his squad this summer. Not only will the new Arsenal sporting director be under pressure to welcome lots of new faces to the Emirates Stadium, but he’ll also be expected to offload deadwood and tie big names down to new deals.

Fortunately for Berta, the Gunners boss already knows who he wants to bring in. Speaking to reporters ahead of Arsenal’s clash against Southampton at the weekend, Arteta claimed that he wants to ‘add goals and creativity’.

“What is clear with the amount of injuries we had in the frontline is that we need a goal threat,” said the Spaniard. “We need the firepower out there.

“We cannot rely just on the numbers we had before. We have to add goals, we have to add creativity, and we have to add numbers, and that will be in different positions.”

On whether he has an idea of how many players he wants to bring in, Arteta grinned and said: “Yes.” So, with that being said, football.london has looked at what the perfect summer transfer window looks like for Arsenal.

Five players free up millions on the wage bill

Before Berta welcomes any new faces to the Emirates Stadium, he must trim the squad. Jorginho and Thomas Partey, who will leave when their contracts expire next month, shouldn’t be handed extensions, while Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu are marked for sale.

Unless Jakub Kiwior is happy to continue deputising for Gabriel Magalhaes, he should also be offloaded. If Arsenal can draw a line in the sand before the summer transfer window bursts open next month, Arteta and Berta will have a clearer idea of how to strengthen the squad.

Arsenal agree deals for Gyokeres and Williams

Once the Gunners know exactly what positions need strengthening, Berta should waste no time in wrapping up deals for Viktor Gyokeres and Nico Williams. By signing the duo early doors, Arsenal will send a statement of intent to the rest of Europe.

football.london understands Arsenal are longer-term admirers of Gyokeres, with interest dating back to his spell at Coventry City in the Championship. Despite impressing during his first season in Portugal, the Gunners, like many other clubs, decided against making a bid.

The Sweden international has continued his excellent form this term, making him one of the most attractive options on the market. football.london understands that Berta is an admirer, but – as it stands – an official offer hasn’t been submitted.

As for Williams, football.london understands that Arsenal hold a long-term interest. It’s claimed that Arteta is a very big fan of the £59m-rated Athletic Club winger, who caught his eye well before bursting on to the scene at the Euros last summer.

Not only will the Gyokeres and Williams significantly bolster Arteta’s side, they’ll make the Emirates Stadium a far more attractive destination for other top players. Once they agree deals, the likes of Martin Zubimendi will be begging to join.

football.london understands that Arsenal are long admirers of the Real Sociedad midfielder, who has a release clause worth €60m (£52.3m) in his contract. It’s believed that the Gunners have been keeping tabs on Zubimendi, with interest dating back to the summer of 2023.

It’s understood that Arsenal are under the assumption that they’ll be successful in the race to sign the Spain international. Once Berta welcomes the trio to north London, he should then begin looking to find a replacement for Neto, who will soon return to Bournemouth from his season-long loan.

Joao Garcia, who recently been linked with a move, wouldn’t be a bad option, but it’s unlikely that he’d be satisfied with playing second fiddle.

Berta ties down five big names

Berta will be spinning plates this summer. While the Italian works hard to bring star-studded quality to the Emirates Stadium, he mustn’t forget to tie down his own players to new deals.

Leandro Trossard will enter the final year of his stay next month, so he needs a contract extension. More worryingly, Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães and Gabriel Martinelli all see their current deals expire in two years.

Berta mustn’t let either of them enter the final 18 months of their contracts; otherwise, rival clubs will begin to circle. The last thing a title-challenge side needs is speculation clouding the task at hand.