Arsenal transfer plan laid bare as Martin Zubimendi signs, £180m striker request and four exits

Arsenal are expected to splash the cash this summer, with Mikel Arteta determined to finally get his hands on the Premier League. This season, the Gunners looked set to take the title race to the wire, but an injury crisis extinguished any chance of lifting the trophy.

football.london understands that Arteta wants to get business done quickly this summer, with the hope that the north Londoners can move swiftly in the opening weeks of the window. Andrea Berta has managed to offload a few players, but he's yet to welcome any new faces to the Emirates Stadium.

There's still plenty of time to bolster the squad. So, with that being said, football.london has rounded up everything you need to know about Arsenal and the summer transfer window.

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What has Arteta said?

In an interview with Sky Sports in May, Arteta was asked if the Gunners need any new faces. He replied: "We need that, for sure. With the numbers that we started the season and [the numbers] to provide for next season, with the demands we're going to have and especially with the players that we have who are coming through long-term surgeries, it's very unrealistic [to deliver trophies]."

On whether a new striker is a priority, Arteta said: "Everything that is in both boxes that makes you better, I think - at the end of the day - it's a key element. We all know that."

Arteta also promised a 'very exciting' transfer window. The Spaniard added: "It's going to be a very exciting summer. First of all, reviewing what we have done. Finding ways to increase the level of the team.

"Finding big margins where we can still develop our game model and our players, then putting those plans together, playing the pre-season. And then if we don't have enough from that, then it's about what do we need to recruit now to make the difference."

Then, speaking to reporters ahead of the Gunners's clash against Southampton the following week, Arteta claimed that he wants to 'add goals and creativity' to his side. The Spaniard said: "What is clear with the amount of injuries we had in the frontline is that we need a goal threat.

"We need the firepower out there. We cannot rely just on the numbers we had before. We have to add goals, we have to add creativity, and we have to add numbers, and that will be in different positions."

On whether he has an idea of how many players he wants to bring in, Arteta grinned and said: "Yes."

What has Berta said?

Following his appointment as the new sporting director at Arsenal, Berta claimed that he wants to 'shape a successful future'. Speaking to the official club website, the Italian said: "I am thrilled to be joining Arsenal in what is a hugely exciting period for the club.

"I have watched with great interest the way Arsenal has evolved in recent years and I have admired the hard work that has gone into re-establishing the club as a major force in European football with a passionate following around the world.

"The club has great values and a rich history, and I am looking forward to playing my part in shaping a successful future with a great team. I cannot wait to get started in my new role and I am really looking forward to experiencing my first game at Emirates Stadium together with our supporters."

Who do Arsenal want to sign?

With Arteta desperate to bolster his attacking options, it comes as no surprise that Arsenal have Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko on their radar. football.london understands the Gunners are long admirers of the Sporting striker, with interest dating back to his spell at Coventry City in the Championship.

Berta is thought to be a 'big fan' of Gyokeres, but – as things stand – Arsenal are yet to submit an official offer. football.london also understands that the Gunners were interested in signing Sesko last year, but talks never reached an advanced stage.

The 22-year-old striker wanted to resolve his future at Leipzig before Euro 2024, but Arsenal couldn't commit to a deal with Eddie Nketiah still at the club. By the time the Hale End graduate eventually left, Sesko had already penned a contract extension at the Red Bull Arena.

Despite missing out, football.london understands that the north Londoners continued to monitor the Slovenian's progress, and they remain keen on securing his signature – even if his stock has fallen a little.

Martin Zubimendi has also been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal this summer. football.london understands that the Gunners are long admirers of the Real Sociedad midfielder, who has a release clause in his contract worth €60m (£51.4m).

Arsenal have been keeping tabs on Zubimendi since the summer of 2023, with Arteta said to be a big fan. It's understood that the Gunners are under the assumption they'll successfully secure his signature.

On Friday, The Athletic reported that Zubimendi was in London to meet officials from the club and wrap up the formalities of his transfer. Arsenal could also be in the market for a new shot-stopper following the end of Neto's loan from Bournemouth.

According to Sky Sports, Kepa Arrizabalaga has a £5m release clause in his contract at Chelsea, which the Gunners could trigger. The report claims Arsenal are progressing with a deal to sign the 30-year-old goalkeeper.

With Transfermarkt pricing Gyokeres and Sesko at a combined €145m (£124.2m), Berta could have to fork out as much as £180m – and that's before the north Londoners begin strengthening other areas of the field.

Who could leave Arsenal?

Arsenal have already offloaded a few players this summer, and more could leave the Emirates Stadium. Jorginho and Kieran Tierney left following the expiration of their contracts, joining Flamengo and Celtic, respectively, while Nuno Tavares joined Lazio on a permanent basis and Marquinhos stayed at Cruzeiro.

As it stands, it remains to be seen whether or not Thomas Partey will extend his stay in north London, with his current deal set to expire this month. Meanwhile, Leandro Trossard, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Oleksandr Zinchenko have recently entered the final year of their contracts.

In an interview with Sky Sports in May, Arteta admitted that Arsenal are set to lose 'a lot of players'. He said: "We have to address that [squad depth] and we're going to do everything we can to improve it.

"Especially because we are going to lose quite a lot of players. There are players out of contract, there are players who have come here on loan. So the squad becomes really thin on top of the injuries that we have.

"We know we have that duty, that necessity and we have players in the academy that can help. Great, but if not we know what we have to do."