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Mikel Arteta refuses to rule out further Arsenal signings

Mikel Arteta refuses to rule out further Arsenal signings
© Reuters
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta refuses to rule out the possibility of more players arriving at the Emirates after the signings of Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber and Kai Havertz.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has refused to rule out the prospect of more players arriving at the Emirates Stadium before the transfer window closes for business.

The Gunners have already forked out in excess of £200m on the signings of Jurrien Timber, Kai Havertz and Declan Rice, the latter of whom commanded a British-record £105m fee to poach from West Ham United.

Ahead of Arsenal's return to the Champions League, Arteta is seeking to build a squad capable of challenging for Premier League glory with enough depth to juggle their domestic and continental commitments successfully.

Despite already adding to their midfield ranks with the captures of Rice and Havertz, Arsenal are being tipped to bolster their engine room further, with Southampton's Romeo Lavia supposedly earmarked as a top target.

Speaking to Sky Sports News after touching down in the USA for a pre-season tour, Arteta insisted that there is still time for more incomings, as well as an expected glut of outgoings.

West Ham United's Declan Rice kisses the trophy after winning the Europa Conference League Final on June 7, 2023© Reuters

"Let's see, there is a lot of time still in the market and a lot of expectation in some of our players," the Spaniard responded when asked about future transfer plans.

"So we will have to see how things develop in the next couple of weeks. We will be alert, there is still time to do things, there is still time for exits as well obviously. I'm sure things will move."

Arsenal have only added £27.4m to their coffers through player sales so far, offloading Granit Xhaka to Bayer Leverkusen and seeing Pablo Mari's loan move to Monza turn into a permanent deal.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles has also bid farewell after the expiration of his contract, but a plethora of fringe players are also expected to head for the exit door in the coming weeks.

None of Nicolas Pepe, Albert Sambi Lokonga or Cedric Soares travelled to the USA with the team, and all three should be allowed to leave for the right price this summer.

Folarin Balogun celebrates scoring for the USA on June 19, 2023© Reuters

Kieran Tierney, Alex Runarsson, Rob Holding and Auston Trusty all boarded the plane to the United States but could also depart, as may Folarin Balogun, whose future is one of the major talking points at the Emirates.

The USA international netted 21 Ligue 1 goals during a stellar loan spell with Reims last season, and he is thought to be on the radar of AC Milan, Inter Milan and Chelsea.

Arsenal could apparently hold out for a £50m fee to let Balogun seek pastures new, but Arteta remained coy on whether the Hale End product could also be sold, saying: "He's done incredibly well.

"Now we have to think what is best to do. We want to see him, we want to experience him in the next few games, he played against Nuremberg and will do again in the next few games, and then we will make the best decision."

Arsenal kick off their USA tour against an MLS All-Star team on Wednesday evening, where Timber and Rice could both make their non-competitive debuts for the club.

Following the midweek clash at Audi Field, Arteta's side will then head to New Jersey for a date with Manchester United on July 22 before taking on Barcelona in Los Angeles on July 26.

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