Arsenal transfer rumours: Who could join this summer? Rating every possible signing
Sports Mole rounds up every player linked with joining Arsenal this summer, and rates the chances of each possible incoming actually happening.
After another agonising Premier League campaign of close yet no cigar – watching Manchester City lift the title while they stare at their silver medals – Arsenal will dip their toe into the market once more this summer in an attempt to decrease the gap even further.
No marquee signings akin to £105m Declan Rice are expected, but reinforcements are apparently being targeted in the attacking slots – both up front and out wide – a new defensive midfielder, a new left-back and possibly a new goalkeeper too.
Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at every player to have been linked with a move to Arsenal this summer and rates their chances of joining Mikel Arteta’s team.
Alexander Isak
© Reuters
Current club: Newcastle United
Age: 24
Position: Centre-forward
Rumoured asking price: £100m
Transfer value: £59.2m
Career appearances: 271
Career goals: 112
Honours
DFB-Pokal (1): 2016-17
Copa del Rey (1): 2019-20
After ending their interest in Brentford’s Ivan Toney, Arsenal are understood to have switched their focus to Newcastle United hotshot Alexander Isak, whom they were also tipped to sign during his Real Sociedad days.
However, the Magpies will drive an extremely hard bargain for Isak’s sale – potentially asking for as much as £100m – which has supposedly seen Arsenal leave the battle as quickly as they entered it.
Our verdict: Very unlikely
Benjamin Sesko
© Reuters
Current club: RB Leipzig
Age: 21
Position: Centre-forward
Rumoured asking price: £55m
Transfer value: £42.3m
Career appearances: 165
Career goals: 69
Honours
DFB Super Cup (1): 2023
Austrian Bundesliga (3): 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23
Austrian Cup (1): 2021-22
Formerly rumoured to be Arsenal’s number one attacking target, Benjamin Sesko could have been available for £55m due to a release clause in his previous RB Leipzig contract, but he has now penned a new deal until the summer of 2029.
The Slovenian’s renewal supposedly includes a gentleman’s agreement allowing him to depart in the future, but Arsenal’s hopes of a deal this time around are almost certainly dead in the water.
Our verdict: Very Unlikely
Victor Osimhen
© Reuters
Current club: Napoli
Age: 25
Position: Centre-forward
Rumoured asking price: £113m
Transfer value: £84.6m
Career appearances: 223
Career goals: 114
Honours
Serie A (1): 2022-23
Also set to be on the move in the summer transfer window, Napoli striker Victor Osimhen’s exit has already been confirmed by the Partenopei’s president, and he is alleged to be holding out for Arsenal to make an offer for his services.
Moves to Real Madrid or Saudi Arabia are off the cards, but Arsenal will certainly now bow to Napoli’s £113m release clause, which is less than can be said for Paris Saint-Germain, who apparently want the Nigerian to lead them into the post-Kylian Mbappe era.
There was brief talk of a part-exchange deal involving Emile Smith Rowe and Takehiro Tomiyasu, but Arsenal are now said to have baulked at Napoli’s price demands are are moving onto other targets.
Our verdict: Very unlikely
Joshua Zirkzee
© Reuters
Current club: Bologna
Age: 23
Position: Centre-forward
Rumoured asking price: £51.1m
Transfer value: £42.3m
Career appearances: 158
Career goals: 42
Honours
Bundesliga (1): 2019-20
DFB-Pokal (1): 2019-20
Champions League (1): 2019-20
DFB-Supercup (2): 2020, 2022
UEFA Super Cup (1): 2020
Fresh from leading Bologna to an unexpected place in the 2024-25 Champions League, Joshua Zirkzee – crowned the best young player in Serie A in 2023-24 – could be available for around £50m in the upcoming market.
However, Arsenal are facing intense competition from Manchester United and clubs in Italy – including Juventus and AC Milan – to sign the former Bayern Munich product, who will likely stay put in Serie A.
Our verdict: Unlikely
Viktor Gyokeres
© Reuters
Current club: Sporting Lisbon
Age: 26
Position: Striker
Rumoured asking price: £68.5m
Transfer value: £55m
Career appearances: 280
Career goals: 119
Honours
Primeira Liga (1): 2023-24
One of the hottest attacking properties on the continent right now, Viktor Gyokeres set the world alight for Sporting Lisbon last term and has reportedly caught the eye of Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and PSG over the past few months.
However, the Sweden international has now undergone knee surgery and is set for a spell on the sidelines, which will almost certainly scupper his chances of signing for the Gunners.
Our verdict: Very unlikely
Marcus Rashford
© Reuters
Current club: Manchester United
Age: 26
Position: Left winger
Rumoured asking price: £70m
Transfer value: £50.8m
Career appearances: 402
Career goals: 131
Honours
FA Cup (2): 2015-16, 2023-24
Europa League (1): 2016-17
EFL Cup (2): 2016-17, 2022-23
Community Shield (1): 2016
After fleeting links with Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford in 2022, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has allegedly spoken with the Englishman over a switch to the Emirates this summer, as offers of £70m could be accepted by the Red Devils following his 2023-24 struggles.
Man United will certainly be reluctant to let Rashford join a direct Premier League rival, though, and Arteta needs right-sided attackers more than he does left-wingers at this moment in time.
Our verdict: Very unlikely
Michael Olise
© Reuters
Current club: Crystal Palace
Age: 22
Position: Winger
Rumoured asking price: £60m
Transfer value: £46.5m
Career appearances: 163
Career goals: 23
Honours
None
Michael Olise memorably snubbed Chelsea in 2023 to sign a contract extension with Crystal Palace, but the Eagles tying him down to new terms was primarily financially-motivated, ensuring that they can garner the most money possible through an inevitable sale.
Even though Champions League football is on offer in North London, Olise is now rumoured to have agreed personal terms with Chelsea in spite of last year’s rejection, forcing Arsenal to turn elsewhere.
Our verdict: Very unlikely
Desire Doue
© Reuters
Current club: Rennes
Age: 19
Position: Winger
Rumoured asking price: £34.1m
Transfer value: £25.4m
Career appearances: 76
Career goals: 8
Honours
None
The performances of 19-year-old Rennes attacker Desire Doue with Rennes have reportedly caught the eye of Arsenal, Man United and Bayer Leverkusen, all of whom could be quoted a modest £34m to sign the 2005-born winger in the coming weeks.
Game time may be a problem for Doue at the Emirates, but he should not arrive with the expectation of becoming a regular starter right away, and with patience, he could become a key figure for the Gunners in years to come.
Our verdict: Likely
Bruno Guimaraes
© Reuters
Current club: Newcastle United
Age: 26
Position: Midfielder
Rumoured asking price: £100m
Transfer value: £71.9m
Career appearances: 293
Career goals: 32
Honours
Copa do Brasil (1): 2019
Copa Sudamericana (1): 2018
Olympic gold medal (1): 2020
Amid the expectation that Bruno Guimaraes will leave Newcastle United this summer, Arsenal were alleged to have made the Brazilian their number one defensive midfield target, but there is a £100m release clause in his contract that can only be triggered before the end of June.
Once that window closes, Arsenal will be at Newcastle’s negotiating power and have reportedly cooled their interest for now, although it could be revisited if the midfielder makes a concerted effort to leave St James’ Park.
Our verdict: Unlikely
Martin Zubimendi
© Reuters
Current club: Real Sociedad
Age: 25
Position: Midfielder
Rumoured asking price: £51.2m
Transfer value: £42.3m
Career appearances: 237
Career goals: 12
Honours
UEFA Nations League (1): 2022-23
Copa del Rey (1): 2019-20
Martin Zubimendi would certainly be a cheaper alternative to Guimaraes and is thought to be aware of Arsenal’s interest, but the Gunners have been dealt a hammer blow in their hopes of a £51.2m agreement.
Indeed, reports have claimed that the Real Sociedad man has no interest in joining Arteta’s side or Man United, and he would only leave his current team if Real Madrid or fellow suitors Barcelona came calling.
Our verdict: Very unlikely
Youssouf Fofana
© Reuters
Current club: Monaco
Age: 25
Position: Midfielder
Rumoured asking price: £20m
Transfer value: £25.4m
Career appearances: 250
Career goals: 15
Honours
Coupe de la Ligue (1): 2018-19
An even more cut-price midfield option, Youssouf Fofana may be allowed to leave Monaco for a mere £20m in the summer transfer window, and the Frenchman has confirmed that an exit from the Ligue 1 club is a real possibility before the start of next term.
However, Fofana does not really fit the number six profile that Arsenal are looking for, and even though they may only have to pay relative pennies to sign him, it is difficult to see a move coming to fruition.
Recently, the Gunners were also dealt a blow in their efforts to sign Fofana by ex-midfielder Cesc Fabregas, who claimed that the France international is supposedly bound for AC Milan.
Our verdict: Unlikely
Douglas Luiz
© Reuters
Current club: Aston Villa
Age: 26
Position: Midfielder
Rumoured asking price: £50m
Transfer value: £59.2m
Career appearances: 290
Career goals: 27
Honours
Olympic gold medal (1): 2020
Arsenal fans were sent into a Douglas Luiz frenzy in the summer of 2022, going as far as to track the Brazilian’s every move in the last knockings of the transfer window, but they were apparently rejected by the Lions twice and have not gone back in since.
Two years later, the Gunners are rumoured to be considering reigniting their interest, but they were apparently repelled by Villa’s initial nine-figure demands and therefore focused their search elsewhere.
However, it has now been reported that Villa are making headway in negotiations with Juventus, who are set to pip Arsenal to the post with a player-plus-cash deal.
Our verdict: Very unlikely
Ferdi Kadioglu
© Reuters
Current club: Fenerbahce
Age: 24
Position: Left-back
Rumoured asking price: £25.6m
Transfer value: £17.7m
Career appearances: 258
Career goals: 27
Honours
Turkish Cup (1): 2022-23
Ostensibly chosen as the man to reinforce Arteta’s left-back ranks, Ferdi Kadioglu is already understood to have been the subject of one failed bid from Arsenal, but Fenerbahce’s arm could be twisted by an offer of around £25m.
Reports have claimed that the 24-year-old has already given the green light to personal terms with Arsenal, who should have no qualms about shelling out a few million more to get their man.
Our verdict: Likely
Mikayil Faye
Current club: Barcelona
Age: 19
Position: Centre-back
Rumoured asking price: £17m
Transfer value: £4.2m
Career appearances: 45
Career goals: 5
Honours
None
Despite a string of impressive displays at youth level, teenage Barcelona defender Mikayil Faye did not earn his first-team debut for the Catalan giants last year and is now understood to be considering his options.
Faye’s Barcelona contract supposedly includes a release clause of £340.6m, but it has since been claimed that offers of just £17m may be entertained by La Blaugrana, putting Arsenal on red alert.
While a new centre-back would not go amiss at the Emirates, it is not Arteta’s top priority for the summer window, so Man United and Liverpool could instead compete for Faye’s services.
Our verdict: Unlikely
Archie Gray
© Reuters
Current club: Leeds United
Age: 18
Position: Right-back/midfielder
Rumoured asking price: £51.1m
Transfer value: £15.2m
Career appearances: 53
Career goals: Zero
Honours
None
Bursting onto the Leeds United scene and excelling as both a right-back and central midfielder, Archie Gray has been tipped to move up a league, especially after Leeds’ failure to return to the top flight of English football.
While Arsenal’s name has been floated about, the likes of Bayern Munich and Liverpool are considered the prime contenders to sign the 18-year-old, whose £51m price tag could also put the Gunners off.
Our verdict: Very unlikely
Justin Bijlow
© Reuters
Current club: Feyenoord
Age: 26
Position: Goalkeeper
Rumoured asking price: £10m
Transfer value: £11m
Career appearances: 143
Career clean sheets: 54
Honours
Eredivisie (2): 2016-17, 2022-23
KNVB-Beker (2): 2017-18, 2023-24
Dutch Super Cup (2): 2017, 2018
Formerly linked with Manchester United, Feyenoord goalkeeper Justin Bijlow appears to be on the chopping block with the Dutch giants, who could supposedly accept just £10m this summer before he enters the last year of his contract.
As a result, Arsenal should jump at the opportunity to sign an established 26-year-old goalkeeper for such a price, although he would have to be content with the number two spot behind David Raya.
Our verdict: Likely
Brahim Diaz
© Reuters
Current club: Real Madrid
Age: 24
Position: Attacking midfielder
Rumoured asking price: £50.8m
Transfer value: £33.8m
Career appearances: 204
Career goals: 34
Honours
Premier League (1): 2017-18
EFL Cup (1): 2017-18
Community Shield (1): 2018
La Liga (2): 2019-20, 2023-24
Supercopa de Espana (2): 2020, 2024
Champions League (1): 2023-24
Serie A (1): 2021-22
Reports from Spain have claimed that Arsenal are showing interest in a deal for Real Madrid playmaker Brahim Diaz, who played second fiddle to Jude Bellingham throughout the 2023-24 campaign.
However, the ex-Manchester City starlet would be in the exact same situation in North London, and his rumoured £50.8m asking price also makes a deal impossible to envisage.
Our verdict: Very unlikely
Viktor Tsygankov
© Reuters
Current club: Girona
Age: 26
Position: Winger
Rumoured asking price: £25.4m
Transfer value: £25.4m
Career appearances: 289
Career goals: 105
Honours
Ukrainian Premier League (1): 2020-21
Ukrainian Cup (2): 2019-20, 2020-21
Ukrainian Super Cup (3): 2018, 2019, 2020
After playing a key role in Girona’s third-placed finish in the 2023-24 La Liga season, Viktor Tsygankov has allegedly been the subject of an approach from Arsenal, whose manager Arteta is ‘in love’ with the Ukrainian.
Tsygankov would walk out to the Champions League anthem no matter whether he snubs the Emirates or jumps at the chance, and he may feel that now is the time to move up the club ladder.
Our verdict: Likely
Raphinha
© Reuters
Current club: Barcelona
Age: 27
Position: Winger
Rumoured asking price: £84.6m
Transfer value: £42.3m
Career appearances: 332
Career goals: 81
Honours
La Liga (1): 2022-23
Supercopa de Espana (1): 2023
Taca de Portugal (1): 2018-19
Taca da Liga (1): 2018-19
Two years on from losing out to Barcelona in the race for Raphinha, Arsenal have allegedly made an offer of around £34m to sign the Brazilian, who has long been linked with a move back to the Premier League.
However, Barca will likely try to offload the winger to Saudi Arabia if he does express a desire to leave, as they would undoubtedly bank a higher fee from their Middle Eastern counterparts, potentially as much as £80m or more.
Our verdict: Unlikely
Dominic Solanke
© Reuters
Current club: Bournemouth
Age: 26
Position: Striker
Rumoured asking price: £65m
Transfer value: £33.7m
Career appearances: 270
Career goals: 85
Honours
None
After a standout 2023-24 Premier League season, Dominic Solanke has been tipped to climb the English football ladder with Arsenal, and his Bournemouth deal allegedly includes a release clause of around £65m.
However, only select unnamed clubs can trigger that option, and Arsenal are now thought to have turned their attention away from signing a new striker entirely following Sesko’s snub.
Our verdict: Unlikely
Nico Williams
© Reuters
Current club: Athletic Bilbao
Age: 21
Position: Winger
Rumoured asking price: £42.1m
Transfer value: £50.5m
Career appearances: 152
Career goals: 29
Honours
Copa del Rey (1): 2023-24
Should Arteta prioritise the signing of a new winger this summer, Athletic Bilbao and Spain starlet Nico Williams could be an intriguing option, as there is a release clause of approximately £42m written into his contract.
Strong performances at Euro 2024 would benefit Williams’s chances of a move to the Emirates, and as Arteta is said to be a keen admirer, a transfer is not impossible to envisage.
Our verdict: Likely
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