HERE WE GO: Arsenal is planning to intercept a ‘blockbuster deal’ for a player targeted by Chelsea, while also considering a swap deal with Newcastle.
Arsenal may attempt to disrupt Chelsea’s potential swap deal for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen this summer, following Paris Saint-Germain’s withdrawal from the race, according to reports.
The Gunners have already made two signings this summer. David Raya, who was on loan at the Emirates Stadium last season, has joined from Brentford for £27 million, and Riccardo Calafiori has been acquired from Bologna in a deal worth around £42 million.
Arsenal is still seeking to add a new striker this summer, with Eddie Nketiah likely to move to Marseille, despite Arsenal rejecting the French club’s latest offer.
Earlier this week, David Ornstein confirmed that Chelsea and Napoli were negotiating a deal involving Romelu Lukaku, and they were also discussing the possibility of Osimhen moving in the opposite direction.
Now, Football Insider reports that Arsenal “could hijack Chelsea’s plans to sign Victor Osimhen in a blockbuster deal,” as Mikel Arteta is “still looking to sign a number nine this summer.”
The report adds:
“The Gunners have been interested in the Napoli striker for some time, but signing him won’t come cheap. However, the Gunners could now hijack that transfer by pushing to sign Osimhen themselves. A striker is seen as the last piece of the jigsaw for Arsenal, as Arteta looks to bridge the gap between them and Man City next season in the Premier League.”
Another position Arteta is trying to fill is central midfield. The Gunners have been linked to several players and might attempt to make a deal for Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes before the end of the month.
The Brazilian reportedly has a release clause in his contract set at around £100 million, but there are rumors that Newcastle might consider selling him for over £80 million.
TeamNewsAndTix has suggested that Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, valued at about £30 million, could be included in a deal for Guimaraes.
In a podcast, it was stated: “The clubs aren’t really clear on it, but they just feel that Newcastle aren’t out of the woods in terms of finances, that’s what I was told. I was initially told that by someone at Arsenal and, if they’re not, we could be looking at a deal with them for Bruno and Ramsdale going the other way.”
Mikel Merino has been the most heavily linked midfielder in recent weeks. Journalist Charles Watts, who has covered Arsenal for years, believes the Gunners will increase their interest in the Spaniard now that the deal for Calafiori is complete.
Watts wrote in his Caught Offside column: “I’m fully expecting Arsenal to step up their attempts to bolster their midfield now their move for Riccardo Calafiori has been confirmed. We know that Mikel Merino is a player they like. The club had identified him as a target before the Euros and his brief performances for Spain in Germany only confirmed that he is a player who could make an impact in the Premier League.
“There is believed to be rival interest in Merino from clubs in Spain, as he is expected to be available at a good price due to his contract status at Real Sociedad. But I do think Arsenal will step up their interest in the 28-year-old having finally secured the signature of Calafiori.
“There have been links to other midfielders. I’ve seen Fabian Ruiz mentioned recently. That’s not one I’ve heard anything on myself yet, but he is a fine player of course. I still think Merino is the main target, though, and he would be a fine addition. He would add versatility, which is so important to any signing who comes in under Mikel Arteta. Physically, he looks well suited to the Premier League and, along with Calafiori, looks like he could really bolster Arsenal’s left-sided options for the new season.”