Mikel Arteta has undoubtedly started preparations for what will likely be a big summer transfer window at Arsenal. The Gunners brought in no new signings during the January transfer window despite the need for attacking reinforcements with that misstep brutally exposed soon after.
In the space of seven days, both Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz were hit by hamstring injuries. Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka already being unavailable due to long-term issues has seen Arteta left with limited attacking options for the weeks ahead.
While nothing can be done in the immediate, Arteta and interim sporting director Jayson Ayto will have most likely had a number of discussions over how to approach the upcoming summer window. Signing Alexander Isak is the dream, but that may not be possible due to a number of factors.
Alternatives will have certainly been drawn up with a fresh one emerging recently but it is possible the Gunners may not need to look elsewhere having receive a financial boost. With that said, football.london has rounded up the latest Arsenal transfer news and rumours.
Ekitike as Isak alternative
Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike is the latest striker to be linked with Arsenal as a potential transfer alternative to Newcastle star Alexander Isak.
According to Foot Mercato, the Gunners ‘appreciate his profile’ and are one of many teams keeping tabs on his situation. The report adds that that the German club could demand up to £66million (€80m) to sanction a sale. Ekitike only joined Frankfurt permanently last summer and has scored 17 goals so far this season.
football.london says: Ekitike is quite clearly an impressive striker in his own right. The bright start to life at Manchester City for Omar Marmoush after he joined from Frankfurt is further proof that he could adapt to English football, but he is no Isak.
His struggles at Paris Saint-Germain perhaps further prove he may not be able to handle the big occasion that Isak clearly can. As evidenced by his superb all-round display up against William Saliba and Gabriel, there is no suitable alternative.
Signing him will require a triple-figure sum and also Newcastle to not qualify for the Champions League with Isak’s ambitions likely to increase over time.
Financial results make summer stance clear
Two years on from spending £105million on Declan Rice, Arsenal seemingly have the capabilities to go big again this summer. On Wednesday, the club’s financial accounts were released which saw the overall loss drop from £52.1million to £17.7million from 2023 to 2024.
Such an improvement appears to suggest that Arsenal are in a position to spend without majorly worrying about profit and sustainability rules.
football.london says: Just because there are no financial concerns currently, it does not guarantee that Arsenal will look to sanction several marquee summer transfers.
However, a mini-midfield rebuild is needed and a refresh in a number of other departments could also help the Gunners take that next step towards winning more trophies. Following on from a summer window that raised the floor of the squad, it certainly appears time to raise the ceiling once again.
While Rice was the man to do that in 2023, a striker, or at least a versatile elite-level attacker, will almost certainly be that huge change this summer.
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