Arsenal Transfer News Roundup: Gunners urged to sign English ace, club pushing to offload Eddie Nketiah, and more - August 8, 2024
Arsenal finished second in the Premier League last season and are now working to bolster their squad ahead of the new campaign. Mikel Arteta has already roped in Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna and is eyeing further reinforcements.
Meanwhile, the Gunners have been urged to sign an English striker this summer. Elsewhere, the north London side are eager to offload Eddie Nketiah this year.
On that note, let's look at the major Arsenal transfer news from August 8, 2024.
Arsenal urged to sign Ollie Watkins by former player
Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit believes that the club should move for Ollie Watkins this summer. The Gunners were interested in Benjamin Sesko earlier this summer, but the Slovenian striker decided to stay put at RB Leipzig.
The north London side have since been linked with multiple strikers, including Napoli's Victor Osimhen and Sporting hitman Viktor Gyokeres. However, a move for either player is yet to materialize.
As cited by GoonerTalk, Petit insisted that a new No. 9 should be Mikel Arteta's priority this summer.
“Signing a striker should be Arsenal’s number one priority in the transfer window. They need someone that is good in the air and can also be physically imposing. It’s good to have different options, and with Arsenal, you know how they will play on the attack, and it can be too predictable," said Petit.
He continued:
“With the amount of balls they put into the box, they need to find someone to score headers. That is one part of the attack that must improve."
Petit went on to name Watkins as a perfect fit for his former side.
“There are a few players who tick all these boxes on the market. I’m a huge fan of Ollie Watkins. I love him! He’s strong physically. He has the pace to run in behind defenders," said Petit.
He concluded:
“He’s able to fight with two defenders all the time and can hold up the ball. I think he would be perfect for the football that Arsenal play. He has the ability to play one-on-one combinations and I think he would fit like a glove into an Arsenal team and system.”
The 28-year-old was in superb form for Aston Villa last season, scoring 27 goals and setting up 13 more from 53 games across competitions.
Gunners pushing to offload Eddie Nketiah
Arsenal are prepared to relax their demands to facilitate a deal for Eddie Nketiah, according to Foot Mercato. The English forward is no longer part of Mikel Arteta's plans and will be offloaded this summer.
The Gunners are already in talks with Marseille regarding a move for the 25-year-old. The Ligue 1 club's opening offer for Nketiah was swiftly rejected by the club. Marseille have returned with an improved proposal of €27m, but it has been turned down by the north London side as well.
Arsenal are reportedly holding out for €35m to let the Englishman leave, but Marseille have made it clear that they won't match that figure. The Gunners are now willing to reduce their asking price in a bid to offload the 25-year-old.
The Ligue 1 giants have already agreed a deal to sign Youssouf Moukoko from Borussia Dortmund and are also eyeing Lens' Elye Wahi. As such, it is unclear if they will return for Nketiah this summer.
Mikel Arteta eager to sign Mikel Merino
Mikel Arteta is pushing to bring Mikel Merino to the Emirates this summer, according to acclaimed journalist Fabrizio Romano. The Spanish manager has identified his compatriot as the perfect addition to his already impressive midfield.
Arteta is working to improve his side after narrowly missing out on the Premier League title last season. Merino has been outstanding for Real Sociedad of late and was also part of the Spain squad that returned triumphant from Euro 2024.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Romano insisted that the 28-year-old is eager to move to the Emirates this summer.
“He knows that Mikel Arteta is a big fan. Mikel Arteta has been very influential this summer for Arsenal. He was pushing a lot to have Calafiori, now, similar with Merino, he is another player he would love to have at the club," said Romano.
He continued:
“And so the player is keen, very keen on the move. Now it depends on the clubs when they can reach an agreement on the package and on the structure of the deal.”
Merino's contract with the La Liga club expires in 2025 and he hasn't agreed to a renewal.