Arsenal and Chelsea look set to fight over a number of players in the summer transfer window as both teams look to bolster their respective squads. Mikel Arteta wants to reinforce his squad ahead of the Gunners' return to Champions League football next season with the club prepared to sell a number of fringe players to raise transfer funds.
football.london reported in January that Arsenal are prioritising a move for West Ham captain Declan Rice this summer. Reports have suggested Arteta wants to hold direct talks with the England international after the 2022/23 campaign has finished with the Gunners preparing a £92million bid to sign Rice.
Moises Caicedo is another player of interest to the north Londoners after they had two bids for the Ecuadorian midfielder rejected by Brighton during the January transfer window. Chelsea have been heavily linked with a move for Rice and Caicedo in the past and could fight the Gunners over potential signings yet again ahead of next season.
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The Blues pipped Arsenal to the signing of Mykhailo Mudryk in January before allowing Jorginho to leave Stamford Bridge and complete a £12million move to the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners are said to be monitoring Mason Mount's situation at Chelsea and could make a move for the 24-year-old if he does not sign a new contract with the Blues.
Incoming manager Mauricio Pochettino wants to add a new central midfielder, centre-back and striker to the Chelsea squad ahead of next season - and his past ties to Tottenham may motivate him to beat Arsenal to a number of transfer targets this summer. Napoli star Victor Osimhen has been linked with a move to both London rivals after a stellar 2022/23 campaign - but the Blues will have a significant financial advantage over Arsenal with the Italian outfit valuing their striker at £130million.
With both Chelsea and the Gunners looking to sign central midfielders this summer, we could be prepared for a repeat of the scenario which saw both teams fight over the signing of Mudryk earlier this year. Arteta will need at least two midfield signings ahead of next season with Granit Xhaka and Albert Sambi Lokonga both expected to leave the Emirates Stadium.
Mateo Kovacic could leave Chelsea with Pochettino keen on adding a new central midfielder to partner Enzo Fernandez. N'Golo Kante's future remains uncertain with his current deal set to expire in June - which may see the Blues look to sign two or three midfielders despite their £600million transfer spend in the last 12 months.
Edu Gasper has the opportunity to raise a significant amount of funds to invest in Arteta's squad this summer and he will need to bring in some top talents to help continue the team's upwards trajectory in terms of development and evolution heading into the 2022/23 campaign. Arsenal will need to be wary of Chelsea's threat in the transfer market with their seemingly unlimited funds which could see them beat the Gunners to a number of signings with financial incentives.
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