Sport
Florentino Perez eyes replacement
Arsenal are prepared to bid for a Real Madrid player this summer, as the La Liga side’s president Florentino Perez eyes a potential replacement.
As reported by reliable journalist Simon Collings, sporting director Edus Gaspar and the Gunners wish to make four key signings across Mikel Arteta’s team
Indeed, it is believed Arsenal want to bring in a new goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and forward over the coming weeks – as Arteta looks to challenge Man City for another PremieSr League title next season.
Despite the fine form of Kai Havertz, who shone in a makeshift central forward role under Arteta last campaign, Arsenal want to bring in a partner or competitor for the Germany international.
A midfielder could come in to replace Thomas Partey, with the Ghanaian’s future uncertain. He’s entered the final 12 months of his contract at Hale End, and Partey is reported to have held talks over a move to Saudi Arabia.
Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba have shone at the heart of Arteta’s backline, but the Spaniard is apparently keen to bring in an alternative to the pair, as Takehiro Tomiyasu, Jakub Kiwior and Ben White are all used in the full-back areas much more often than centrally.
A new shot-stopper, and back up to current number one David Raya, will be required if England’s Aaron Ramsdale does in fact depart north London. Ramsdale has been heavily linked with an exit after losing his spot to Raya, and journalist Charles Watts believes it is inevitable he’ll depart.
“It’s a matter of when Ramsdale leaves, not if,” said Watts to CaughtOffside.
“The key thing for Arsenal is getting value for money. I saw an initial fee of £15 million mentioned in reports last week and that is quite frankly ridiculous. Arsenal signed Ramsdale for nearly £30m two years ago and he has developed into a far better keeper since then.
“He’s still young, he’s homegrown, an established England international and has a long-term contract. Yes, interested clubs will know that Arsenal’s stance in any negotiations will be weakened somewhat given he is now clearly behind David Raya in the pecking order, but that shouldn’t mean the club should basically give him away.”
