Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has indicated at incoming signings before the transfer window closes, suggesting things could move faster late in the window.
Arsenal’s summer window has been relatively slow but steady so far. The fans and manager believe the squad is still somewhat incomplete, with key areas yet to be addressed. A goalkeeper, an attacking midfielder, and a forward are the most important requirements now, while other positions can wait.
The club have already spent more than £75 million this summer on Nuno Tavares, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Ben White. These players fill up three key areas that Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu Gaspar identified and acted upon. However, the manager suggests more players might come between now and the end of the window.
Arsenal are set to make a significant windfall from the sale of Joe Willock to Newcastle, which will understandably increase their purchasing power. They are heavily linked with a move for James Maddison, who is their primary attacking midfield target, potentially costing £60 million.
They were also on the trails of Aaron Ramsdale but have since pulled out of negotiations owing to Sheffield United’s fee demands. Elsewhere a host of high profile forwards remains linked, including Lautaro Martinez, Dusan Vlahovic and Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham, who is intent on a move to north London.
?️ "We will see what we can do"
Mikel Arteta has the latest on Arsenal's transfer situation – with signings and sales expected before the deadline pic.twitter.com/5BfPYPwE87
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) August 12, 2021
However, with fans growing impatient at the lack of signings, Arteta has indicated things may happen between now and the end of the window. Speaking to Sky Sports, the Arsenal boss gave his thoughts on the club’s workings in the transfer market.
He said, “Anything is possible, and there are still a lot of things to be done and a lot of clubs involved. You can see that the ball starts to roll at a different speed in the last week or so. It’s been a really difficult transfer window, and probably a lot of things will happen in the last week or so.
“It’s how deals develop, and sometimes something that is not possible to do on the 12th of August is possible to do on the last day. Whether you are happy bringing the player in or not, I think is more important.”
Arteta continued to speak about how things are run at the club and insight into the ownership. He continued, “We have owners that are willing to invest in the team, and they want to get the team better and with bigger aims. We are trying to find a balance because, at the same time, we need to be really careful. We need a financial position that is sustainable and healthy for the club.
“It’s been really busy. We are talking about the most difficult transfer market in this industry over the last years for sure, and we are trying to adapt. The club, the owners and myself, we all have the same interest, which is to make this team much stronger. We know we still have things to do to get what we want.”
So can Arsenal fans look forward to a bumper end to the current transfer window? They certainly should, while also having a bit of patience in the working of their manager, who is keen to bring the necessary addition to strengthen the current team.
