Arsenal<\/a> are in the strongest position that they can possibly be heading into the transfer window. Even after recent blips, the Gunners remain the heir to the throne in the Premier League<\/a> and will be looking to add further gems to their crown this summer.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Andrea Berta already made his mark in his first summer in charge and will be hoping for a repeat in the coming months. This time around, it could be all about building a side capable of an era of dominance rather than one-time success in the Premier League.<\/p>\n Now that Arsenal are almost there, they won’t want to be making the climb down the mountain anytime soon and the best way to avoid that is through further recruitment.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Winning a league title is tough in itself, but defending that title one season later is another challenge altogether. Just ask Liverpool and they’ll be quick to tell everyone just how quickly things can change.<\/p>\n Should Arsenal seal glory this season, those at Anfield have provided the blueprints of what to avoid. Don’t change style entirely, don’t sell big stars and don’t change several parts of what was a title-winning squad just yet.<\/p>\n Instead, it’s all about refinement. Mikel Arteta<\/a> still has a number of weak points to strengthen at the Emirates. There are still question marks about his side’s ability in open play, for example, and it’s becoming clear that he needs to welcome further midfield depth this summer.<\/p>\n As successful as Declan Rice<\/a> and Martin Zubimendi have been as a duo, the drop off beyond them has stood out whenever Arsenal have been forced to make a change, especially with the latter struggling to manage the schedule of English football.<\/p>\n As a result, the Gunners are looking to add to their midfield ranks, with West Ham United’ Mateus Fernandes on their radar.<\/p>\n According to a report from Caught Offside,<\/a> Liverpool have held talks with the players’ agency in recent weeks as they weigh up a move for the Portuguese.<\/p>\n The Merseysiders are not the only club interested, with it stated that Fernandes has received ‘admiring glances’ from Arsenal and Manchester City.<\/p>\n If Fernandes is to leave West Ham behind, the report notes that a bid of \u00a355m is likely to be accepted.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It wasn’t so long ago that Arsenal welcomed a transformative signing from West Ham by luring Rice to the north of the capital.<\/p>\n That \u00a3105m fee<\/a> looks a better bargain by the week with shock Ballon d’Or<\/a> shouts even starting to emerge and the Gunners would be remiss not to return to the London Stadium for another star.<\/p>\n This time, it’s Fernandes who’s stealing the headlines. Even as the Hammers head for relegation, the midfielder has been excellent in recent months. If Nuno Espirito Santo’s side do avoid the drop, then he will have played the most important part.<\/p>\n For \u00a355m, the former Southampton man could quickly look like a bargain deal if he follows in the footsteps of Rice. At 21 years old, he’s only likely to get even better in the coming years, too.<\/p>\n In one move, Arteta would have a complete midfield. At this stage of the season, having the ability to turn towards someone like Fernandes over the lethargic Zubimendi would be enough to get the Gunners over the line. It may even have been enough to keep their treble dream alive.<\/p>\n PL stats 25\/26<\/p>\n<\/th>\n Rice<\/p>\n<\/th>\n Fernandes<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n Minutes<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 2,585<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 2,399<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Recoveries<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 154<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 143<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Passes per 90<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 54.94<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 39.47<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Tackles<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 57<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 81<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Duels Won<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 121<\/p>\n<\/td>\n 158<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n It’s easy to see why Fernandes is on Arsenal’s radar. He is very much the complete midfielder. In possession, in a struggling side, he completes almost 40 passes per game, whilst outperforming Rice in certain metrics off the ball.<\/p>\n As a pair, they’d thrive as duel winners and elite ball carriers. The West Ham man has been a duel-winning monster all season and where Zubimendi has dropped off, Fernandes has become a key man at the most important time at the London Stadium.<\/p>\n The numbers suggest that he’d have no trouble stepping up to the champions-elect this summer, handing West Ham another problem if Arsenal come sniffing for another star midfielder three years on from signing Rice.<\/p>\n \n Arsenal looking to sign their new Declan Rice<\/strong>
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\n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n![\"Arsenal](\"https:\/\/static0.footballfancastimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/arsenal-summer-transfer-window-2025-timeless-gyokeres-eze-zubimendi-mosquera-madueke.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2\"\/)
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\n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n Why Fernandes could become the new Rice<\/strong>
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