Arsenal are racing to complete their summer recruitment before the transfer window shuts in just over a week. The club are exploring a potential swap arrangement worth more than £60million.
Gabriel Martinelli could depart Arsenal as part of a player-plus-cash exchange(Image: Jacques Feeney/Offside, Offside via Getty Images)
With the transfer deadline approaching rapidly, the north London club are striving to finish their remaining transfer activity.
The side have acted quickly and decisively in recent weeks, securing two experienced Premier League players — Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle for £75million and now Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa for £51m. These marquee signings follow sensible recruitment earlier in the window.
Goalkeeper Illan Meslier arrived on a free transfer as backup, while Christos Tzolis joined from Club Brugge for £34m and has made an instant impact. The Greek winger provided two assists on his first competitive appearance as Arsenal triumphed 3-0 against Manchester City in the Community Shield.
Few would dispute that Arsenal enter the campaign as the side to beat, and the current Premier League holders commence their title defence at home against newly-promoted Coventry City this evening.
Arsenal remain active in the market despite an already hectic window. Manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta still have work to do. Here, football.london examines two major stories currently circulating around the club.
Yildiz-Martinelli swap proposal surfaces
Arsenal are keen to acquire Kenan Yildiz(Image: Alberto Gandolfo – Juventus, Juventus FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s pursuit of Kenan Yildiz could reportedly involve offering Gabriel Martinelli as part of a swap with Juventus. Arteta’s ambition to sign an elite left winger this summer is no secret, with Juventus playmaker Yildiz understood to be among his top targets.
The Turkish international, aged 21, committed his future to the club earlier this year by signing an extended contract running until 2030. Consequently, Juventus are anticipated to seek a significant fee for their prized asset.
According to The Independent, the Italian club would demand in excess of £60m to approve his sale, though one possible route being discussed involves Arsenal sending Martinelli the other way.
The report indicates such a deal would require extensive negotiations, as exchanges typically do. Arsenal have made Martinelli available this summer to help balance their books while seeking a major attacking acquisition.
The club reportedly rejected a £38m offer from Galatasaray last week and are standing firm for a higher bid, despite the Brazilian wanting to remain in north London. Yildiz’s £60m price tag would align more closely with Arsenal’s valuation of Martinelli, suggesting a swap plus additional cash could be the solution to persuading Juventus to agree.
Konsa receives backing from Ferdinand
Arsenal reached an agreement to sign Ezri Konsa earlier this week(Image: Neal Simpson/Allstar, Getty Images)
Rio Ferdinand has offered effusive praise for Arsenal’s acquisition of Ezri Konsa. The Manchester United legend described it as an outstanding signing and maintained that obtaining the England international for that fee represents excellent business.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ferdinand stated: I believe this represents an outstanding signing. A player at his peak who possesses complete clarity about his abilities. He offers no unnecessary complications. He is a dependable, highly capable Premier League defender.
I consider it tremendous value in today’s market. At 28 years old, he can offer a minimum of four or five years of highly reliable, consistent service, and he offers crucial versatility in two positions: central defence and right-back.
You have Ben White, who appears to have recovered from injury but has had problems at right-back. You have Timber, who has similarly struggled to maintain fitness, and William Saliba’s injury issues as well.
He will provide excellent depth. Someone capable of stepping straight into the side without any concerns. That positional flexibility at the highest level, combined with his dependability in both right-back and centre-half positions, represents tremendous value.
He further commented: Securing his signature reinforces my belief that Arsenal will retain the league title, as this represents a shrewd and excellent acquisition.