Arsenal’s pre-season tour continues as manager Mikel Arteta continues to assess his first-team squad ahead of the start of the 2024/25 campaign.
Arsenal are looking to build on last season’s second-placed finish in the top flight and may need to make additional signings to close the gap on reigning champions Manchester City.
Arteta’s side are close to signing Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori and will hope to add some new muscle to the Italian’s squad in the coming weeks.
As August approaches, Arsenal continue to be linked with a number of players and the rumours don’t look like they’ll be dying down anytime soon.
Ezequiel Fernandez’s Interest
Arsenal are among the clubs thought to be plotting a move for Boca Juniors midfielder Ezequiel Fernandez.
Fernandez, who is currently playing for Argentina at the Olympics, has “decided to play abroad” despite recently extending his contract with Boca until 2028.
An update from ESPN, via Bolavip, reveals that Arsenal have informed Fernandes’ entourage of their interest in signing the 22-year-old, but that no formal offer is yet to be submitted.
He added that Atletico Madrid, Brighton, Sevilla, Benfica, Real Betis, Girona, AC Milan and Porto are also on the radar of the youngster who has impressed in a short time.
football.london states: “Fernandez would not be the first player to leave Argentina’s top flight and then enjoy success in England. Arsenal would be taking a risk with such a move, but the question is whether the potential reward is worth it. Judging by the evidence, Edu and Arteta could do little wrong by gambling on someone like this.
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Sergi Roberto Competition
Arsenal had previously been linked with being a possible destination for Barcelona star Sergi Roberto, who became a free agent this summer after 14 years as a first-team player for the La Liga giants.
The versatile 32-year-old is now a highly sought-after player as he prepares to choose the next club for his career, and it was revealed earlier this week that Arsenal had been “in contact” with the player’s agent about a deal.
Manager Fabrizio Romano reports that Ajax are “genuinely interested” in signing Roberto and that the midfielder will now “consider all his options”.
football.london says: This would be a fantastic free transfer if Arsenal go ahead with it. Roberto will likely have the opportunity to sign with multiple clubs and will consider a range of factors when making a decision. Arteta’s Spanish connections and the ability to offer Champions League football could work in Arsenal’s favour.
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