Football News: Arsenal £115m transfer window - Will it work?
Arsenal had parted with £145 million ($174million) during last summer's transfer window, more than any other European club. Likewise, they splurged this year with the signing of Oleksandr Zinchenko
which increased their amount to £115million ($138million). It only proves that Stan Kroenke believes in Mikel Arteta's vision despite the Gunners' poor performance towards the end of the last season. However, after welcoming Zinchenko along with four other players - Gabriel Jesus, Fabio Vieira, Matt Turner and Marquinhos - Arteta seems happy about the new entries. He is exceptionally rooting for Gabriel Jesus, who was pulled in £ 30 million ($36million) from Manchester City.
Is Arsenal concluding their summer business, or is there more in store?
Arsenal is looking for a right winger after the departure of Bukayo Saka. They failed to bring Raphinha from Leeds United, as Barcelona's offer came with a heftier price tag for the 25-year-old. Although the club bought Nicolas Pepe last year for £72million ($86million), he is not a part of Arteta's long-term plans. If they find an interested buyer, he will have to bid farewell before the summer transfer ends. Another addition to their attacking clan will only improve the squad. They might sign another midfielder as per discussions. In one of their new entries, Zinchenko became famous as a left-back after his stint at Manchester City. However, he is well suited to play further up the pitch.
The Ukraine international is expected to provide cover for Kieran Tierney. Still, at the same time, he will be a part of the Arsenal midfield as a number eight alongside Martin Odegaard. On the other hand, Youri Tielemans was their next target. Still, they refrained from making a firm bid for the Belgium international, which Leicester would offload, considering he has just one year left on his contract. Arsenal might revive their interest in the 25-year-old, but they might have to let go of a top-notch player for Tielemans to arrive at the ending phase of the summer transfer. Meanwhile, the return of William Saliba from the loan has strengthened their defence. However, he might not cover for Takehiro Tomiyasu at right-back with Cedric Soares still at the club.
Will Arsenal let go of old or existing players?
Players like Bernd Leno, Hector Bellerin, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Lucas Torreira, Reiss Nelson and Pablo Mari could depart if takers are found. Zinchenko's entry might lead to Nuno Tavares leaving the club loan, as many clubs, including Atlanta, want to sack the full-back. Arteta does not wish to keep unhappy players who are disappointed for not getting game time. So they might offload a few players to regain the £260million ($311million) they gave away over the previous two summer windows. With that, Arteta hopes to focus his squad's attention on a few players, adopt an attacking game and deploy his best men on the field after a massive splurge, hoping to improve his team strength. It is to be whether his tactics work in the upcoming season.
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