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Arsenal 'identify three priorities for summer transfer window'

Arsenal 'identify three priorities for summer transfer window'
© Reuters
Arsenal reportedly plan to prioritise the signing of a new defender, midfielder and forward in the summer transfer window.

Arsenal have reportedly earmarked the three priority areas for strengthening in this summer's transfer window.

Another sustained period of progression under Mikel Arteta has seen the Gunners push Manchester City all the way in the title race, which will go down until the final day of the season.

Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League table by virtue of a 1-0 success over Manchester United on Sunday afternoon, where Leandro Trossard struck the only goal of the game at Old Trafford.

Consequently, Arteta's troops are one point clear of Man City having played a game more, but beating Everton on the final day will not be enough if the champions win their last two matches.

However, the Gunners are guaranteed another top-two finish, and the owners are prepared to back Arteta and sporting director Edu in the transfer market ahead of another Champions League campaign.

Arsenal's Leandro Trossard celebrates scoring their first goal with Ben White and teammates on May 12, 2024© Reuters

Arsenal 'to target defender, midfielder and forward this summer'

According to the Evening Standard, Arsenal want to bring in one new defender, one new midfielder and a fresh face in attack during the summer window, similar to last year's three marquee signings of Jurrien Timber, Declan Rice and Kai Havertz.

A new left-back has been mentioned, but Timber's return to fitness will give Arsenal four options in that area alongside Jakub Kiwior, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Oleksandr Zinchenko.

The former two and Timber can also be deployed in a central position, but a number six is expected to be a priority, in spite of Jorginho's contract extension and Thomas Partey's recent revival.

Everton's Amadou Onana, Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes, Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz and Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi are among the names to have been mooted, as has Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich, but the German has reverted to a right-back role this term.

Guimaraes's fellow Magpie Alexander Isak is now believed to have emerged as the number one target in the final third, after the Gunners cooled their interest in Brentford's Ivan Toney.

Arsenal 'also eyeing new goalkeeper for 2024-25'

Aaron Ramsdale in action for Arsenal on December 12, 2023© Reuters

In addition to the three outfield positions, the report adds that a goalkeeper is lower down the priorities list, but the Gunners are still expected to be in the market for a new stopper if Aaron Ramsdale heads elsewhere.

The England international was relegated to second choice behind David Raya during the September international break, and he is expected to push for an exit in the summer transfer window in search of regular minutes, otherwise his spot in the Three Lions' squad will come under threat.

Both Karl Hein and Arthur Okonkwo - who spent the 2023-24 season on loan with League One-bound Wrexham - could depart as free agents this summer, and the Gunners are thought to be targeting Sunderland's Anthony Patterson as a possible replacement.

Arteta's men will spend at least 48 hours at the summit of the Premier League table before Man City head to their North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday night, where anything other than a win for the Citizens puts the fate of the title in Arsenal's hands heading into the final weekend.

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Written by
Ben Knapton

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta pictured on April 23, 2024
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256


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