Edu issues Arsenal reality check after Rice transfer preference comes to light
Arsenal sporting director Edu has stressed that he is only interested in acquiring players who are capable of taking the club to the next level in the summer transfer window.
The Gunners enjoyed a remarkable season in the Premier League under Mikel Arteta after emerging as unlikely title contenders. And although the Londoners eventually came up short in the title race against Manchester City, Arsenal have already clinched a second-placed finish ahead of the season finale and qualified for next season's Champions League.
Arteta is expected to be handed a significant transfer budget to strengthen his squad in the upcoming transfer window. However, Edu has made it clear that the club are only interested in players of the highest calibre ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.
After he was asked about the club's transfer plans, Edu told ESPN: "It's identifying very well where we can improve. If they are individual, isolated positions, if they are units, if they are 'final third', as we call it here, if they are midfield, defensive part. This diagnosis we already have because we already have a very clear style of play for Arteta.
"Today, you see Arsenal playing and you identify, you know that is Arsenal's style. So now it's time to understand where we can boost the units, so that the team can improve and go to another level of performance. And I think there is another level, we have one more level.
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"Me and Arteta talking, we believe that we have a level to improve in terms of performance. And now make a good transfer window, understand the need, to hit the athlete, the characteristic, the mentality of the athlete we want, to once again raise the level of our squad."
Join the debate! Where do you think Arsenal need to strengthen this summer? Let us know here.
Declan Rice is Arsenal's top summer transfer target (Getty Images)Although Arteta is hoping to strengthen in a number of positions in the upcoming transfer window, a deal for West Ham captain Declan Rice has emerged as the Spaniard's top priority in recent weeks.
The Hammers talisman is valued at around £100million by his club and is likely to attract significant interest from some of the Premier League's other top sides, including Manchester United. However, Mirror Football understands that Rice's preference would be a move to the Emirates.
Rice is expected to be given the green light to move on from West Ham this summer - if a club who can offer Champions League football is willing to meet the Hammers' huge valuation.
Arsenal are also interested in Brighton maestro Moises Caicedo with club stalwart Granit Xhaka set to make an exit. The Swiss midfielder is being courted by Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen and Arteta would not prevent a move if a deal can be agreed.
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