Arsenal had more than 20 players on shortlist to capitalise on title win
Senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel goes inside Arsenal's bid to capitalise on their Premier League title and strengthen their squad this summer.
As Premier League champions, Arsenal entered the summer transfer window with high hopes, identifying a prime opportunity to bolster their squad. A list of more than 20 potential targets reportedly existed, including players from Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, and Tottenham. The club's most notable signing was Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United for £75 million.
Other midfielders considered included Sandro Tonali and Alex Scott, both of whom joined Tottenham for substantial fees. Meanwhile, Amadou Onana from Aston Villa was ruled out due to injury. Manager Mikel Arteta prioritized proven talent to elevate the starting XI, with Guimaraes and Konsa emerging as the club's primary targets. Despite Berta's strong relationship with Guimaraes' representatives, securing the deal proved challenging, although the ownership's involvement ultimately sealed the transfer.
However, concerns have been raised regarding the combined £126 million price tag for Guimaraes and Konsa, and whether their longevity will impact the natural evolution of the squad.
Written by urgent.news from BBC Sport Football's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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