Arsenal are set to reach out for talks with a highly-rated forward, with one key issue thwarting Barcelona and their attempts to sign the player.
Andrea Berta plans summer rebuild at Arsenal
This highly-anticipated summer transfer window at Arsenal will be sporting director Andrea Berta’s first since his appointment in late March.
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The Gunners have set their sights on a defender, who they have followed for years.
Much has been made of Berta’s arrival after 12 fruitful years working for Atlético Madrid, where he orchestrated some high-profile deals and made a real name for himself as an astute operator in La Liga.
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Arsenal’s final Premier League games |
Date |
|---|---|
|
Bournemouth (home) |
May 3rd |
|
Liverpool (away) |
May 11th |
|
Newcastle United (home) |
May 18th |
|
Southampton (away) |
May 25th |
Mikel Arteta and Berta are set to work in tandem on the club’s transfer plans ahead of a potentially more successful Premier League title challenge next campaign, and some reports suggest that the Gunners could splash up to £300 million on new signings, in what would be a major rebuild.
Left-back Kieran Tierney is set to join Celtic when his contract expires, while Jorginho is also in line to leave on a Bosman in July as things stand. Arsenal are working to extend Thomas Partey’s contract, but there is no guarantee they will reach an agreement on terms, with ESPN reporting the Ghanaian will have to take a pay-cut.
Oleksandr Zinchenko will be put up for sale by Arsenal as well, and back-up keeper Neto is set to return to parent club Bournemouth when his contract expires.
With uncertainty surrounding the long-term futures of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard right now, there is also a firm belief that Arsenal could look to sign a new winger on either flank, not to mention a main man to lead the line.
It is set to be a busy debut summer for Berta in N5, and a diverse range of targets are being linked, especially in the attacking areas. It is no secret that Arsenal need a prolific forward to lead the line, which was made all the more evident by Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus’ long-term injury absences.
Versatile Atalanta star Ademola Lookman could be Arteta and Berta’s solution, following another excellent Serie A campaign, where he’s bagged 18 goals in all competitions.
The Nigerian, who scored a hat-trick in last year’s Europa League final to win Atalanta the trophy and end Bayer Leverkusen’s historic 23/24 unbeaten run, has predominantly played as a second striker under Gian Piero Gasperini this term.
However, he’s also starred as a traditional centre-forward across 24/25, whilst being used out-wide occasionally, and this could really appeal to Arteta.
CaughtOffside report that Arsenal are planning to hold talks with Lookman, with a “serious obstacle” threatening Barcelona’s attempts to sign the 27-year-old. The Catalans’ financial problems mean they’re unlikely to afford his expected £55 million price tag, opening the door for Berta and other elite English sides to tempt him.
The African could be a versatile alternative to Matheus Cunha, who is believed to be on the verge of joining Man United (Fabrizio Romano). Called a “top player” by Gasperini, a move back to the Premier League appears to be a serious option for him.