It has been a relatively quiet start to the summer transfer window for Arsenal but that could soon change following the conclusion of Euro 2024 and Copa America. David Raya has been the only first team arrival so far, with the 28-year-old making his loan move from Brentford permanent in a deal worth around £27million.
Edu and Mikel Arteta have been working hard behind the scenes and a number of players have already departed the club. Cedric Soares and Mohamed Elneny left following the expiry of their contracts while Albert Sambi Lokonga’s loan move to Sevilla was confirmed on Monday. Defender Nuno Tavares also departed north London on Monday, joining Italian side Lazio on a season-long loan.
Arsenal supporters will be keen for the club to announce further incomings, however, which is something Arteta believes is necessary to take the Gunners to the next level. “We are looking to improve in every possible department,” Arteta told ESPN earlier this month.
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“With the new regulations, there are certain things we have to respect and be conscious of and then obviously the Euros and Copa America are slowing everything down. Hopefully now it is going to pick up a little bit.” The Spaniard added: “I think both ways [players coming in and going out of the club]. There are things that we have to improve, that’s for sure, and we are going to try to. But the market is tricky.
“We have been very aggressive, we are very determined and we have a clear idea obviously of what we want to do. It will come down to finding the right agreements at the right time.”
If things go to plan, it’s possible Arsenal will announce two new signings this week. Riccardo Calafiori has been heavily linked with a move to Emirates Stadium and Bologna and the Gunners remain locked in talks regarding a move for the defender.
The two clubs are yet to agree on a fee for the highly-rated 22-year-old, who can play at either centre-back or left-back. It’s believed the Italian international is valued at around £45million, although the structure of the deal is what is causing a delay, with personal terms not expected to be a problem. Calafiori himself is currently away on holiday but is due to report back for pre-season at Bologna at the end of this week so you would think it’s best for all parties if a deal is struck sooner rather than later.
Arsenal could announce another signing this week is that of Ajax goalkeeper Tommy Setford. The Gunners have agreed a fee of around €1million (£840,000) for the England Under-20 international, who is expected to undergo a medical in the coming days.
Setford was into the last year of his contract at Ajax and is expected to sign a four-year deal with the Gunners, The Athletic reports. The goalkeeper is highly regarded and has been tipped to have a bright future. Young goalkeepers Ovie Ejeheri, James Hillson, and Arthur Okonkwo were all released by the club this summer while 18-year-old Lucas Nygaard joined the north Londoners from FC Nordsjaelland.
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