After the international break, Arsenal can finally begin their summer transfer business next week.
Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta and managers around the world are experiencing a first in a World Cup year, which could help them close deals in the summer transfer window.
For the first time, football’s biggest tournament will not be held in May, June, or July, as an announcement was made over a decade ago to move it to November and December later this year to avoid the intense heat in Qatar during the summer months.
While FIFA’s decision to hold the tournament in the winter rather than the summer will cause havoc with Arsenal’s fixture list at the start of next season, Arteta is on track to avoid a scenario that has previously hampered Arsene Wenger’s attempts to strengthen the squad during a World Cup year.
“From my experience, World Cup years have always been very quiet until the end of the World Cup, with no players reachable,” the Frenchman told the Mirror in 2014. “Everyone in the country is focused on their national team, and there isn’t much going on.” People have left. This year, I believe you will have to wait until July 15 to begin going.
“You are not the only one who decides when the business is done because it is determined by the availability of players and the clubs that sell.”
To Wenger’s point, Arsenal’s transfer targets will be available earlier than usual in a World Cup year, but due to the remaining qualifiers, UEFA Nations League fixtures, and crucial friendlies that have been taking place over the past week, many deals have been put on hold until the international break is over.
For the Gunners, nearly every player linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium has been or is currently on international duty, which may explain the lack of signings despite the fact that the summer transfer window only officially opened on Friday (June 10).
But the good news is that the summer transfer window can soon get into full swing as the aforementioned UEFA Nations League group games, World Cup play-offs, Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, and friendly matches are to conclude on Tuesday night, thus giving teams the green light to kick start their business.
With that said, here are eight deals Arsenal can look to speed up as soon as the international break is over.
Gabriel Jesus
Because Brazil did not play Argentina in a friendly on June 11, Arsenal could now move faster to sign Gabriel Jesus, who is Mikel Arteta’s first-choice option to fill the void left by Alexandre Lacazette’s contract expiration at the end of the month.
“I’m looking to see what’s best for me and, above all, for my career,” the 25-year-old said last weekend, putting any talk of his future on hold until after Brazil’s games against South Korea and Japan. “We’ll see what works best starting Tuesday.”
Now those fixtures are out of the way, maybe the Gunners can press ahead by reaching an agreement with Man City over a transfer fee before sorting out personal terms and a medical for Gabriel Jesus. They’ll have to do so quickly as Chelsea is said to be watching developments closely.
Youri Tielemans
However, the Gunners will have to wait until after next Tuesday at the earliest to complete a potential £25 million deal for Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans, as Belgium is in UEFA Nations League action against Poland after facing Wales on Saturday evening.
Tielemans, who has one year left on his contract at the King Power Stadium, could be available for a bargain price, and he hasn’t ruled out leaving the club this summer: “That is not completely out of the question. I’m very happy in Leicester; I was welcomed with open arms from the start.
“I give everything for the club until the last day. But of course, you have to listen to other opportunities, you have to look at your career, and sometimes you have to make choices. Maybe one will come my way.”
Aaron Hickey
The same applies to versatile defender Aaron Hickey as Scotland concludes their international fixtures away at Armenia on Tuesday following a UEFA Nations League clash with the Republic of Ireland.
As previously reported by football.london, Edu is hopeful of securing an £18million deal for the 19-year-old Bologna defender whose versatility by operating on both flanks means he can act as cover for both Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu should he join the Gunners this summer.
Matt Turner
Matt Turner to Arsenal might be the worst-kept transfer secret in the world. As reported by football.london, the plan has been to confirm the signing of the New England Revolution goalkeeper when he flies over to complete a medical this month.
According to Turner, Arsenal is on track to make their first signing of the summer transfer window within the next fortnight, as the USMNT goalkeeper is expected to arrive in London around June 19th – though he won’t be able to register until July 1.
“My official release date [from Revolution] is June 24th,” he told Fox Sports earlier this month. “I believe the Revs have games on June 19th and 26th. As a result, I’d be available for selection on the 19th but not on the 26th. My flight is scheduled to depart immediately following the game on the 19th.”
Nicolas Pepe
Arsenal’s most expensive signing ever looks set for a departure this summer after instructing his agent to find him a new club. Those plans can be stepped up as Nicolas Pepe has completed his international commitments with Ivory Coast – although he didn’t feature in either Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Zambia or Lesotho.
Nuno Tavares
According to The Athletic, Arsenal is considering sending Nuno Tavares out on loan next season to aid his development. This could be dependent on the club signing Hickey, but nevertheless, an exit must wait until the left-back wraps up with the Portugal U21s and their 2023 UEFA European Championships qualification campaign.
Lucas Torreira
It’s no secret the midfielder wants to Arsenal on a permanent basis this summer. However, Lucas Torreira may not get his wish to join Fiorentina following a successful loan spell as the two clubs can’t agree on a fee. But as Uruguay played their final game of the international break on Saturday night, perhaps his future can be sorted shortly.
Daniel Ballard
After impressing on loan at Millwall last season, Daniel Ballard is available to leave Arsenal on a permanent transfer this summer football.london understands. A scorer for Northern Ireland against Kosovo on Thursday, the defender can sort out his next move from Sunday.
Other deals
Of course, Arsenal’s transfer business may not end with signing Gabriel Jesus, Tielemans, Turner, and Hickey or selling Pepe, Tavares, Torreira, and Ballard – if they do manage to complete all eight deals – as Gianluca Scamacca, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Ruben Neves, Serge Gnabry, Tammy Abraham, Cody Gakpo, Raphinha and Richarlison just a few names linked.
Just as important as player signings and sales for Arsenal this summer is securing new contracts for Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, and Gabriel Martinelli, whose contracts are set to expire in 2024. As of now, because Brazil’s international fixtures have been completed, talks can begin with the latter.
However, talks with Saliba and Saka can resume next week, as they will be finished with international duty on Monday and Tuesday, respectively.
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