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Ivan Toney doubt, Alexander Isak links, Emile Smith Rowe future - Arsenal transfer latest

Football.London 2024/6/1

football.londontakes a look at how Arsenal's transfer plans are shaping up for the summer

Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith Rowe
Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith Rowe

All focus at Arsenal right now is on the end of the season. The Gunners have put themselves in a position where they have a chance of winning a first Premier League trophy in 20 years. With Manchester City in the driving seat though, it does appear to be a long shot right now.

Behind the scenes Arsenal have already began planning for the summer however. The next transfer window promises to be a huge one for Mikel Arteta's side as they look to compete in both the Premier League and the latter stages of the Champions League.

Here football.london takes a look at how things are shaping up.

Goalkeepers

The goalkeeping situation is a fluctuating one for Arsenal right now. The Gunners fully intend to make David Raya's loan move from Brentford permanent and this will be the first deal they get done over the summer.

This means that Aaron Ramsdale's place a second choice will be cemented. As a result the England 'keeper will likely want to leave. Newcastle are the leading suitors for his signature. The 26-year-old has two years left on his contract, so Arsenal would be open to selling.

Ramsdale would need replacing however. Arsenal want that replacement to ideally be home grown. The chances of Karl Hein being promoted seem slim as the Estonian would like to move on to get first team football. With Arthur Okonkwo also leaving, the Gunners will have to turn to the market.

Freddie Woodman is a player the Gunners have looked at. Wojiech Szczesny has also been linked with a surprise return to Emirates, although the Polish international's wages could be a problem.

Defence

At the back Cedric Soares will finally move on from Arsenal this summer. Kieran Tierney and Nuno Tavares are also expected to leave the club when they return from their loan periods.

That means that, with Jurrien Timber fit and available again, Arsenal will have seven available defenders to choose from. Mikel Arteta would like to add another to that group.

Ajax's Jorrel Hato is a player the Gunners have been tracking since before January. The Dutch international signed a contract extension with Ajax, but Arsenal are still interested. Marc Guehi is also a player who has been looked at.

Keep an eye on Oleksandr Zinchenko's situation as well. The Ukrainian has two years left to run on his contract in north London, and has lost his starting spot. At 27-years-of-age, Arsenal are unlikely to offer him a new contract unless his standing in the team changes and could be open to offers on him this summer. Bayern Munich have been linked.

Midfield

Midfield is the area of the squad that could see the most flux this summer. Mohamed Elneny is set to leave the club when his contract expires this summer. Albert Sambi Lokonga and Charlie Patino are also set to move on despite decent spells on loan at Luton and Swansea respecitvely.

Thomas Partey could also leave the club. Arsenal were looking to sell him last summer, but after a suitable offer failed to come in, he ended up staying. With just 12 months left on his contract, Arsenal are likely to be open to selling the 30-year-old once again.

Arsenal have already sorted a contract extension for Jorginho, but that is only a year-long. They are looking at longer-term solutions to provide competition and cover for Declan Rice. Martin Zubimendi is a player who they have looked at and Real Sociedad would be open to selling the Spanish international who has a release clause of around £52m. The player's willingness to come is in doubt though.

Douglas Luiz and Bruno Guimaraes are both players who have been heavily linked as well. As things stand though, it is understood that those deals are looking unlikely.

Further forward, Emile Smith Rowe's future is in doubt. The England international has quite fairly been frustrated by his lack of game time this season after overcoming lingering hip issues. He has two years left on his contract, and if the right offer comes in Arsenal could be open to selling.

With Kai Havertz moved further forward, the Gunners are also likely to look at the prospect of bringing in an advanced midfielder on the left side. Lucas Paqueta has been linked, although the Brazilian is a strong target for Manchester City.

Forwards

This is the position where Arsenal are most keen to strengthen. The club's decision makers have acknowledged that they need a killer in the final third to get them over the line to win the biggest trophies.

It is unlikely to be an out-and-out nine. The Gunners have been linked to the likes of Ivan Toney and Ollie Watkins, but neither looks likely.

Instead Arsenal will be on the look out for a more versatile forward. Alexander Isak is a player who Arteta feels can play on the wing, and he is certainly admired by decision makers in the club. But Newcastle are unlikely to want to sell the Swede who hasn't indicated a desire to leave as things stand.

Eddie Nketiah meanwhile looks like he could move on this summer. The England forward hasn't started a game in 2024 for Arsenal and has interest from a host of Premier League teams including Crystal Palace. Arsenal could also be open to offers on Reiss Nelson as well.

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