Arsenal Transfer News Roundup: Gunners eyeing Serie A ace; Jakub Kiwior not in talks to leave, and more - June 28, 2024
Arsenal are looking to upgrade their squad after narrowly missing out on a Premier League triumph in the 2023-24 campaign. Mikel Arteta's team finished second in the league, two points behind Manchester City.
Meanwhile, the Gunners are interested in Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez. Elsewhere, the north London side are not working to offload defender Jakub Kiwior this summer.
On that note, here's a look at the key Arsenal transfer stories as on June 28, 2024:
Arsenal eyeing Lautaro Martinez
Arsenal have set their sights on Lautaro Martinez, according to Fichajes. The Gunners are looking for a new No. 9 this summer to take the team to a new level.
Arteta is not entirely convinced by the performances of Gabriel Jesus. Meanwhile, Eddie Nketiah is linked with an exit from the Emirates and could be allowed to leave in the summer.
The manager had his eyes on Benjamin Sesko to address the situation. However, Arteta has been forced to consider alternatives following the Slovenian's decision to stay at RB Leipzig.
Martinez is a long-term target for the Gunners and is coming off a stunning campaign with Inter Milan. The Argentinian scored 27 goals and set up seven in 44 games across competitions, helping his team to the Serie A title.
The north London side are monitoring his performances at Copa America, where he has scored in both appearances. The 26-year-old reportedly has a €110 million release clause in his contract, so prising him away would be a costly affair.
Jakub Kiwior not in talks to leave, says Fabrizio Romano
Arsenal are yet to receive an offer for Jakub Kiwior this summer, according to acclaimed transfer guru Fabrizio Romano. The Polish defender was in and out of the first team in the 2023-24 campaign, registering 30 appearances across competitions.
Kiwior remains linked with a return to Serie A this summer, with AC Milan, Napoli and Juventus apparently eyeing him with interest. The 24-year-old isn't indispensable to Arteta and could be offloaded this summer.
However, Romano added that none of Kiwior's suitors have knocked at the door for the player so far.
“Jakub Kiwior has been linked with a possible exit from Arsenal again, and he’s always being linked with Italian clubs after his impressive form when he was in Serie A with Spezia,” wrote Romano.
He continued:
“However, it’s not something concrete or close so far. AC Milan, Juventus, Napoli all appreciate Kiwior, they know him well since he was at Spezia but that’s it at the moment. Arsenal have still received no formal proposal for Kiwior and he remains a player trusted by Mikel Arteta.”
Kiwior is under contract with the north London side till 2028.
Gunners were not interested in Serhou Guirassy, says Fabrizio Romano
Arsenal were not eyeing a move for Serhou Guirassy this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano. The transfer guru has confirmed that the Guinea striker will leave VfB Stuttgart this summer to join Borussia Dortmund.
Guirassy enjoyed a stunning 2023-24 campaign, plundering 30 goals and setting up three in 30 games across competitions. The Gunners are in the market for a new striker, and the 28-year-old was previously named as an option.
However, in his column for Caught Offside, Romano said that Guirassy doesn't match the profile desired by Arteta.
“Everything is in place for Guirassy to join Dortmund after he agreed on the contract and the salary, but we’ve also had many rumours about other clubs, including Arsenal.
"My understanding is that Arsenal were never really interested in Guirassy as they’re looking at a different kind of player. Same for Chelsea, who were linked but who were never really pushing for Guirassy, while AC Milan was another name mentioned but they’re also focusing on different players,” wrote Romano.
He continued:
“Many clubs were interested in Guirassy, for example West Ham, but now it’s ‘here we go’ for him to join Dortmund as we just wait for the formal steps to be finalised.
"Dortmund were always the clear favourites for this deal – the truth is they were planning with Guirassy to join since March. Yes, he was open to the Premier League or Serie A but BVB decided to go very strong for him and this was appreciated on the player side.”
Guirassy's age could also have been a dealbreaker for the north London side, who have invested in younger players recently.