Arsenal Transfer News Roundup: Gunners eyeing Euro 2024 star, club plan Mikel Arteta renewal, and more - June 25, 2024
Arsenal could only manage a second-placed finish in the 2023-24 Premier League season, despite leading the league table for much of the year. Mikel Arteta is expected to invest in his squad over the summer as he aims to wrestle the league away from Manchester City next campaign.
Meanwhile, the Gunners are interested in a Spanish forward. Elsewhere, the north London side are planning to hand Mikel Arteta a new deal.
On that note, let's take a look at the major Arsenal transfer news from June 25, 2024.
Arsenal eyeing Nico Williams
Arsenal are ready to trigger Nico William's €58 million release clause this summer, according to Caught Offside. The Spanish forward was in blistering form in the 2023-24 campaign with Athletic Bilbao, registering eight goals and 19 assists from 37 outings across competitions.
His efforts have made him a wanted man this summer. Despite signing a new deal with the Basque club last December, Williams is largely expected to be on the move this year. The Gunners are monitoring his situation with interest, as they aim to add more firepower to their attack ahead of the new season.
Mikel Arteta wants a new forward to share the goalscoring burden with Bukayo Saka and has found his man in Williams. The 21-year-old reportedly has a release clause in his deal which the Gunners are willing to exercise.
However, they will face competition from Chelsea, who also have their eyes on the Spaniard. Williams has seen his stock rise further amid his red-hot form for La Roja at Euro 2024.
Gunners plan Mikel Arteta renewal, says Fabrizio Romano
Mikel Arteta is likely to commit his future at the Emirates soon, according to acclaimed journalist Fabrizio Romano. The Spanish manager has done a commendable job since taking charge of the club in 2019.
Arteta has transformed his team into title contenders and two back-to-back second-placed finishes have further bolstered his CV. Arsenal are happy with his efforts and want to end speculation regarding his future.
The Spanish manager's contract expires in 2025 and he is already attracting attention from potential suitors. Barcelona were previously eyeing him with interest but have since settled on Hansi Flick.
In his column for Caught Offside, Romano added that the north London club are confident that Arteta will agree to an extension.
“I think soon. I don’t think it’s going to be long. Arsenal already had some conversations with the agents of Mikel Arteta. And they are quite relaxed because they are very happy with Arteta and Arteta is very happy with Arsenal. They believe all together in this project for the present and future,” wrote Romano
He continued:
“So this is why they are not in a rush. Obviously, they want to get it done as soon as possible, but they feel that Arteta is not entertaining talks with any other club."
He concluded:
“He only wants to focus on the Arsenal project and they are more than happy with him so I think it’s just a matter of time before they meet again they can fix the details of the new contract, but the initial conversations already took place and so I think it’s a matter of time and then we will see Mikel Arteta signing a new contract.”
Arteta has previously expressed a desire to return to Spain at one point in his career, but all signs indicate that he is staying at the Emirates for now.
Arsenal not in advanced talks for Viktor Gyokeres, says Fabrizio Romano
Viktor Gyokeres is not in advanced talks to move to the Emirates this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Swedish striker enjoyed a stunning 2023-24 campaign with Sporting, scoring 43 goals and setting up 15 more from 50 games across competitions.
His efforts have apparently convinced Mikel Arteta, who is looking for a new No. 9 this summer. A recent report from Leonino stated that the 26-year-old is all set to join the Gunners this summer.
However, in his column for Caught Offside, Romano has refuted those claims.
“In the last 24, 48 hours, we had some rumours about the deal being closed, being very advanced. I also saw something from Portugal, like almost completed and I am told this is not true,” wrote Romano.
He added:
“At the moment, Arsenal are not at that advanced stages of their negotiation for Gyokeres. They made contact on the player side already months ago, it was between April and May. They are also informed about the conditions of the €100million release clause, but also the cost of the deal in terms of salary and all the rest."
Romano went on to add that the north London side are yet to make a decision regarding Gyokeres.
“They have still not decided what they really want to do in that position or who is the priority target. They want to take their time to assess the options, so at the moment with Gyokeres, it is not something imminent or close, but it’s an option," wrote Romano.
He concluded:
“I don’t think Arsenal will go for crazy money [for Gyokeres] so it has to be maybe a different structure of the deal or Arsenal could look at different opportunities.”
Gyokeres is under contract at Sporting CP until 2028.