MX23RW : Thursday, May 23 14:14:30| >> :60:1694:1694:

Arsenal 'identify three priorities for summer transfer window'

Arsenal 'identify three priorities for summer transfer window'
© Reuters
Arsenal reportedly plan to prioritise the signing of a new defender, midfielder and forward in the summer transfer window.

Arsenal have reportedly earmarked the three priority areas for strengthening in this summer's transfer window.

Another sustained period of progression under Mikel Arteta has seen the Gunners push Manchester City all the way in the title race, which will go down until the final day of the season.

Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League table by virtue of a 1-0 success over Manchester United on Sunday afternoon, where Leandro Trossard struck the only goal of the game at Old Trafford.

Consequently, Arteta's troops are one point clear of Man City having played a game more, but beating Everton on the final day will not be enough if the champions win their last two matches.

However, the Gunners are guaranteed another top-two finish, and the owners are prepared to back Arteta and sporting director Edu in the transfer market ahead of another Champions League campaign.

Arsenal's Leandro Trossard celebrates scoring their first goal with Ben White and teammates on May 12, 2024© Reuters

Arsenal 'to target defender, midfielder and forward this summer'

According to the Evening Standard, Arsenal want to bring in one new defender, one new midfielder and a fresh face in attack during the summer window, similar to last year's three marquee signings of Jurrien Timber, Declan Rice and Kai Havertz.

A new left-back has been mentioned, but Timber's return to fitness will give Arsenal four options in that area alongside Jakub Kiwior, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Oleksandr Zinchenko.

The former two and Timber can also be deployed in a central position, but a number six is expected to be a priority, in spite of Jorginho's contract extension and Thomas Partey's recent revival.

Everton's Amadou Onana, Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes, Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz and Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi are among the names to have been mooted, as has Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich, but the German has reverted to a right-back role this term.

Guimaraes's fellow Magpie Alexander Isak is now believed to have emerged as the number one target in the final third, after the Gunners cooled their interest in Brentford's Ivan Toney.

Arsenal 'also eyeing new goalkeeper for 2024-25'

Aaron Ramsdale in action for Arsenal on December 12, 2023© Reuters

In addition to the three outfield positions, the report adds that a goalkeeper is lower down the priorities list, but the Gunners are still expected to be in the market for a new stopper if Aaron Ramsdale heads elsewhere.

The England international was relegated to second choice behind David Raya during the September international break, and he is expected to push for an exit in the summer transfer window in search of regular minutes, otherwise his spot in the Three Lions' squad will come under threat.

Both Karl Hein and Arthur Okonkwo - who spent the 2023-24 season on loan with League One-bound Wrexham - could depart as free agents this summer, and the Gunners are thought to be targeting Sunderland's Anthony Patterson as a possible replacement.

Arteta's men will spend at least 48 hours at the summit of the Premier League table before Man City head to their North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday night, where anything other than a win for the Citizens puts the fate of the title in Arsenal's hands heading into the final weekend.

ID:543496:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect7101:

Click here for more stories about Mikel Arteta

Click here for more stories about Arsenal

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta pictured on April 23, 2024
Read Next:
Arsenal 'want up to four marquee signings this summer'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CManchester CityMan City38287396346291
2Arsenal38285591296289
3Liverpool382410486414582
4Aston Villa382081076611568
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs382061274611366
6Chelsea381891177631463
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle381861485622360
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd38186145758-160
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham381410146074-1452
10Crystal Palace381310155758-149
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton381212145562-748
12Bournemouth38139165467-1348
13Fulham38138175561-647
14Wolverhampton WanderersWolves38137185065-1546
15Everton38139164051-1140
16Brentford38109195665-939
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3899204967-1832
RLuton TownLuton3868245285-3326
RBurnley3859244178-3724
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd38372835104-6916


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!