Football
Arsenal transfer priority emerges as £35m Barcelona ‘offer’ made
Arsenal face a vital summer as they look to close the small gap to Manchester City.
Mikel Arteta‘s side finished the 2023/24 season just two points off Pep Guardiola’s dominant Premier League champions. Only minor changes will be needed to ensure the Gunners give themselves an even better chance of lifting a first league title since 2004.
And attention will now fully turn to the transfer window which opens on June 14. With that being said, football.london have taken a look below at the latest transfer reports and speculation surrounding the Emirates Stadium…
Arsenal’s Raphinha ‘bid’
Arsenal are reportedly set to offer Barcelona €40million (around £35m) for former Leeds winger Raphinha. It is said that the Brazilian is surplus to requirements at the Nou Camp with Chelsea also interested according to claims via Football365.
football.london says: Raphinha is an exciting talent but he likes to play in Bukayo Saka’s favoured right-wing position. Barcelona signed the forward for around £50m in 2022 and whilst they are unlikely to get anywhere near a return on that fee, he won’t be cheap.
Arsenal could certainly use some cover there to take the load off Saka, but it all comes down to cost. The 27-year-old is unlikely to go somewhere to be a substitute, so despite his talent, this would make very little sense for Arsenal unless they can strike a good deal.
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Smith Rowe latest
The Telegraph claim that Fulham have made Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe a ‘priority’ signing this summer. It is said that the Cottagers are ready to bid early in the summer transfer window to secure a deal.
football.london says: If the Gunners can get a good offer for Smith Rowe then they should snap Fulham’s hand off. Arsenal like most clubs need to be mindful of the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). Selling Smith Rowe would boost this as he represents pure profit due to his homegrown status.
Injuries have taken their toll on the 23-year-old and it’s unlikely he will get anywhere near Arsenal’s starting line-up in the near future. A move would be best for both parties.
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