01 March 2023 , 14:20
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta wants to bring in two central midfielders, a left-back and a winger during the summer transfer window.
The Gunners are two points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League with a game in hand, but squad depth is a concern - particularly with a Champions League campaign on the horizon. As such, sporting director Edu is analysing the market.
West Ham captain Declan Rice is thought to be Arsenal's primary transfer target, and they made a late attempt to sign Moises Caicedo from Brighton in January. Those two central midfielders are set to be at the top of Arsenal's transfer shortlist in the summer.
Rice, 24, is a regular for England - helping Gareth Southgate's side reach the final on Euro 2020 - and has made nearly 200 Premier League outings. He is expected to leave West Ham in the summer after admitting his desire to play Champions League football.
Rice has 16 months remaining on his existing deal, although the Hammers can automatically extend that contract by a further 12 months. The experienced international's value is likely to be at its highest this summer, which could persuade West Ham to sell.
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In terms of Caicedo, Brighton may sell the Ecuador international in the summer. The 21-year-old starred for his country at the World Cup in Qatar and is enjoying a breakthrough season in the Premier League, with Arsenal submitting a £70million bid in January.
Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo are both on Arsenal's transfer shortlist (Getty Images)Who do you want Arsenal to sign in the summer? Let us know in the comments below!
It is believed the main reason for the rejection was the timing, as Brighton would not have been able to replace Caicedo so late in the transfer window. As such, a similar bid could be accepted in the summer - although other teams could be interested.
Arsenal's need for at least one new central midfielder is obvious. Jorginho, 31, Thomas Partey, 29, and Granit Xhaka, 31, are all in or approaching the latter stages of their respective careers.
Signing Rice and Caicedo could cost Arsenal more than £200m, which would severely limit their transfer budget. As reported by The Times, Edu could raise some funds by selling Kieran Tierney, Nuno Tavares and Albert Sambi Lokonga in the summer.
Tierney, 25, has impressed since his move from Celtic three-and-a-half years ago but has lost his place to Oleksandr Zinchenko this season. The Scot still has three-and-a-half years left on his existing contract and Arsenal could receive a hefty transfer fee for him.
Tavares, 23, has done well during his loan spell at Marseille but, like Tierney, will be behind Zinchenko in the pecking order on his return. Lokonga, also 23, has struggled since he arrived from Anderlecht in July 2021 and is currently on loan at Crystal Palace.
Selling those three players would give Arteta the opportunity to bring more players in, with a winger and left-back - someone to play second fiddle to Zinchenko - on their shortlist.
Another potential sale is Folarin Balogun, who is currently on loan at Reims and is the second-highest scorer in Ligue 1 with 15 goals.
A number of clubs will be interested in signing the prolific 21-year-old forward - potentially allowing Arsenal to cash in - but he is expected to stay at the Emirates. He will not want to be third-choice striker behind Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah, however.
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