Arsenal transfer news: After Mikel Arteta’s side finished barely outside the Premier League’s top four last season, this summer’s transfer window will be interesting (and crucial) for the Gunners.
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Arsenal will at least be back in the Europa League when the 2022-23 season begins, after ending two points behind north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur owing to back-to-back defeats on matchweeks 36 and 37 with UEFA Champions League qualifying practically secured. Following a year away from European action, Arsenal’s young squad will return to continental competition to continue their growth.
Following the departures of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Barcelona, in January) and Alexandre Lacazette (end of contract, this summer), Arteta will undoubtedly like to see a new striker (or two) unveiled at the Emirates Stadium in the coming weeks.
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As Joe Prince-Wright (JPW), Nicholas Mendola (NM), and Andy Edwards (AE) guide you through a frenetic next few months, we pick up the latest done deals, reports, and speculations and give our insight on Arsenal transfer news.
Transfers and acquisitions for Arsenal season 2022-23 have been confirmed.
In
None at all (yet)
Out
Alexandre Lacazette is a French actor (end of contract)
Today’s Arsenal transfer news and rumors are live!
11 June — The Gunners are looking at signing Raphinha.
Arsenal is known to be prioritizing the acquisitions of Gabriel Jesus and Youri Tielemans this summer, but The Telegraph reports that they are also keeping an eye on Raphinha. The Leeds and Brazil winger, 25, has just two years left on his contract at Elland Road and he’s widely expected to leave this summer. Barcelona, Liverpool and many other teams have been linked with Raphinha in the past but there’s be no movement even though his agent (former Portugal legend Deco) has repeatedly discussed his client moving on soon.
Is this a wise decision for Arsenal? They already have a lot of similar players to Raphinha and strengthening in midfield and up top (ahem, Tielemans and Jesus) should be their priority. If Raphinha is still available after that then he’s worth looking at but is he want Arsenal need? They have Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli around in the attacking midfield roles and this seems like it would be a luxury signing and a little unnecessary. But if the price is right (around $61 million is the asking price) his quality is undoubted. (JPW)
June 10 – Young forward Marquinhos set to join Gunners for $3.7 million
Marquinhos, 19, is set to join Arsenal from Sao Paulo, according to The Guardian. They say that Arsenal have ‘won the race’ to sign the Brazilian forward, who will sign a five-year contract. Marquinhos is definitely a player for the future after he broke through at Sao Paulo last season and has been capped by Brazil at U17 level. As for a player for the here and now, this report states that Gabriel Jesus remains Arsenal’s main target. If they can bring in Jesus then Arteta will be delighted as the Gunners’ young squad continues to move in the direction as they battle for a top four finish. (JPW)
June 9 – Alexandre Lacazette rejoins Lyon, who he left to sign for Arsenal
Alexandre Lacazette’s Arsenal departure was already confirmed, but we now know that the 31-year-old French forward has rejoined Lyon on a free transfer. Lacazette spent seven season in the Lyon first team, where he scored 129 goals in 275 appearances (all competitions) from 2010-2017, before leaving the Ligue 1 side to sign for Arsenal. He made 206 appearances for the Gunners and scored 71 times in five seasons at the Emirates Stadium. (AE)
June 4 – Arsenal one of a few clubs interested in Leeds’ Raphinha
With Nicolas Pepe expecting (or, at least hoping) to leave the club this summer, Arsenal could soon have two things in abundance: 1) room in the wage bill (Pepe earns $175,000 per week), and 2) playing time for a star attacker (this was present already). That’s why Arsenal are reportedly considering making a move for Leeds star Raphinha, though they’re likely to face stiff competition from other clubs as well as Leeds, who have dug their heels in and said that Raphinha will only leave if a club meets their valuation. Though he and Bukayo Saka play a similar role, Raphinha is versatile enough that he could play in other attacking positions to get Arsenal’s two best (theoretical) attackers on the field together. (AE)
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