The season may be finished for the domestic sides with the conclusion of the UEFA Champions League final, however, there’s plenty more to be played this summer. From the Nations Leagues across the world to the under-20 World Cup and under-21 European Championships, any transfer targets Arsenal might have are sure to potentially be in action.
The Gunners want to invest heavily this summer and upgrade the squad to better compete with Manchester City. The areas of interest range from the centre of midfield to the full-backs and forwards.
With international football on, it provides plenty of scouting opportunities for the club. football.london takes a look at the five top options that Mikel Arteta will be keeping an eye on during the break.
Declan Rice – England
Arsenal’s number one target this summer is Declan Rice and football.london understands that a bid north of £90million is expected to be made. Rice has now joined up with the England national side and has already been pictured with Bukayo Saka and Aaron Ramsdale who could become club teammates for the new season.
England take on Malta away from home on June 16, before hosting North Macedonia at Wembley in London on June 19 in European Championship qualifiers. Rice is a starter for the Three Lions and will expect to get plenty of game time after winning the UEFA Europa Conference League with West Ham.
Moises Caicedo – Ecuador
Another big target of the Gunners is Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo football.london understands. Having impressed in central midfield adding the 21-year-old to the squad would be a major coup with the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool also interested.
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Caicedo will be involved for Ecuador where he is seen as the key star alongside Brighton teammate Pervis Estupinan and Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie. Ecuador host both Bolivia and Costa Rica on June 18 and 21 respectively.
Timothy Castagne – Belgium
A newer link to the club is Timothy Castagne. The Leicester City full-back is reportedly of interest to the Gunners and can play on either flank making him a competitor for Ben White whilst also replacing Kieran Tierney.
The Belgian has been called up to the national side as they take on Euro Qualifiers against Austria on June 17 and away to Estonia on June 20. Castagne will face competition for game time but could expect to show off what he’s capable of. Arsenal winger Leandro Trossard is not in the squad as he recovers from an end-of-season injury.
Nico Williams – Spain
Regarding potential forward options one player linked with a move is Athletic Club’s Nico Williams. The brother of Ghanaian international Inaki Williams represent La Roja instead and was called up for the World Cup despite his young age.
Spain take on Italy in the Nations League semi-final where Williams, if he plays, will face Arsenal’s Jorginho. That said with the likes of Marco Asensio, Gavi and others Williams faces a formidable cast of players to break into the team.
Xavi Simons – Netherlands
Lastly is another recent link to Arsenal: the versatile and technically brilliant Xavi Simons of PSV. Part of the side that beat the Gunners in the Netherlands earlier in the season’s Europa League group stages Simons had a goal ruled out cruelly for offside after an amazing solo run.
Simons is part of a Netherlands side who are on the other side of the Nations League semi-final as the Oranje take on Croatia. Simons will hope to get some game time and earn more minutes at the international level and allure potential suitors including former side PSG who have a buy-back option to bring him back to the French capital.
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