Arsenal transfer updates: Latest on Calafiori, Merino & Gyokeres

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The start of the 2024/25 season is on the horizon and Arsenal are gearing up to head off on their pre-season tour of the USA. The Gunners kick things off against Bournemouth on July 25th before playing Manchester United and Liverpool. We’ll then head back to take on Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen in a friendly at the Emirates Stadium before playing Lyon in the Emirates Cup in our final pre-season game.

Mikel Arteta is busy preparing the squad for the upcoming campaign but the Arsenal boss is also working hard trying to strengthen his team. After narrowly missing out on the Premier League title in each of the last two seasons, Arteta is determined to finally get the better of his mentor, Pep Guardiola, and beat Man City to the title next season.

In order to do that, Arsenal need to add more quality to the squad and we’re reportedly in the market for a new left-back, central midfielder and attacker. Fans with Arsenal tickets are expecting new arrivals this summer but so far the club have failed to get any major deal over the line.

A number of players have been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium in recent weeks, let’s take a look at some of the transfer rumours doing the rounds in the media involving Arsenal:

Calafiori saga drags on

Arsenal have identified Riccardo Calafiori as their prime defensive target and were thought to be on the verge of sealing a deal for the Bologna star earlier this month. Calafiori is wanted by a number of top European clubs after impressing in Serie A last season and continued to forge a reputation as one of the best young defenders in Europe with some fine displays at Euro 2024.

The 22-year-old has reportedly agreed personal terms with Arsenal and has his heart set on a move to North London following talks with Arteta. However, the proposed move has hit a snag as the two clubs are struggling to agree a fee.

Arsenal are refusing to meet Bologna’s £42m asking price and are instead wanting to seal a deal at £34m. The two clubs are now £8m apart in their valuations and Arsenal have even tried to use Jacub Kiwior as bait in a swap deal – something Bologna aren’t keen on.

We’ll have to wait and see how things develop over the coming days but it looks increasingly unlikely Calafiori will be on the plane when the Arsenal squad fly out to the US this weekend.

Gyokeres to sign in £86m deal?

Most Arsenal fans are hoping a new striker arrives this summer as it was seemingly the missing piece in the jigsaw last season. After missing out on top target Benjamin Sesko, the rumours have died down with Arteta reportedly now looking at a new winger instead.

However, reports coming out on Portugal, as reported by the Standard, claim that Arsenal have now agreed a deal in principal to sign Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon after identifying the hitman as a serious target.

The report claims that Arsenal are willing to pay £86m to sign Gyokeres after watching him score 43 goals in 50 games last season. The Swedish international is big, strong, quick and clearly knows where the goal is, so he would certainly be an exciting addition to the Arsenal squad if he does join.

However, it’s difficult to see the club paying £86m on a striker when we also desperately need to strengthen other areas such as right wing, central midfield and left-back. Unless there are some big-money sales on the way, I struggle to see how Arsenal could afford to buy Gyokeres for £86m and conduct all the other business within budget.

Neto talks

Taking of wingers, TEAMtalk are reporting that Arsenal have held talks with Wolves over a potential deal for Pedro Neto. Arsenal have a long standing interest in the Portuguese international and it appears we could now be ready to formalise that interest if the price is right.

Neto has struggled with injury issues in recent years, and only managed 2 goals and 9 assists in his 20 league appearances last season, so he could be viewed as a risky signing. Especially as Wolves want at least £50m for his signature.

However, his talent is undeniable and he’d be an excellent addition to the squad if he could stay fit. The 23-year-old is lightning quick and can play on either flank, so he’d provide some much needed support for the likes of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli on the wings.

Neto is also well adjusted to the Premier League so wouldn’t take time to settle, unlike Nico Williams – who’s also been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal in recent weeks following his heroics at Euro 2024.

However, given Neto’s injury history and the fact that Williams is cheaper due to his £42m release clause, the Spanish international would be a much better signing. The only problem for Arsenal is that Williams reportedly wants to join Barcelona.

Arteta eyeing Merino

Arsenal need to bring in another central midfielder and reports suggest that Arteta is keen on signing Real Sociedad star Mikel Merino.

Thomas Partey is in the final year of his contract and could be sold if a suitable offer arrives. Jorginho is in the final years of his career and can’t be replied upon to start week-in, week-out, so Arsenal desperately need a top class central midfielder to play alongside Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.

We’ve been linked with the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Amadou Onana and Douglas Luiz in recent months but Arsenal haven’t formalised their interest in any of them. Martin Zubimendi was also reportedly a key target but he’s reluctant to leave Sociedad.

Merino has now emerged as a serious option following his superb displays for Spain this summer. He also starred alongside Zubimendi for Sociedad last season and Arteta is impressed by his physicality – something he feels Arsenal lack at times in the middle of the park.

Merino is in the final year of his contract so he should be available at a reasonable price. At 28, he’d be a lot older than most of Arsenal’s recent signings but he would bring experience with him so a deal would make a lot of sense if we could get him at the right price.

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