Edu could pull off another major transfer coup this summer for Arsenal by signing an 18-year-old who stacks up against Kylian Mbappe. The Gunners' business in recent transfer windows has been hailed significantly with several astute signings made to perfectly fit into Mikel Arteta's plans which was capped off by a sensational double Manchester City swoop made last summer.
For just £77million, Arsenal acquired the services of Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko which helped take the Gunners to the next level as showcased by their tense Premier League title battle against Man City. Zinchenko and Jesus' former club came out on top, but the current summer transfer window is a huge chance to build on the foundations laid over the course of the 2022/23 season.
A £65million move to sign Kai Havertz and start the midfield revolution has already been completed with just an official announcement to take place. The Germany international undertook his medical over the weekend and he could soon be joined in north London by Jurrien Timber.
A fresh bid in the region of £40million was sent to Ajax for the defender and an agreement is now close with personal terms sorted. Elsewhere, Declan Rice signing for Arsenal remains up in the air after Manchester City lodged their first official bid, although it was rejected by West Ham. That summer battle looks set to continue in the coming week with a third offer being readied in north London.
Most of the players Arsenal are eyeing will demand hefty transfer fees, however Edu could seal a sensational £15million move for Fenerbahce star Arda Guler who has similarities to Mbappe and been described as the Turkish Lionel Messi.
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From the 2022/23 campaign, as collated by WhoScored, Guler averaged a 7.78 match rating in a category of players with at least 10 starts. In the major European leagues, only five players scored higher, with Mbappe in fourth at 7.87 just above his PSG teammate Neymar who had an average rating of 7.83. Antoine Griezmann, Jeremy Doku and Messi were the three players above the PSG duo with Messi comfortably topping the list at 8.28.
To give Arsenal a further incentive to complete a move, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Guler has a €17.5million (£15million) release clause included in his current contract. That deal will expire in 2025 but an imminent move could be on the cards with Guler catching the eye of many with his extremely skilful displays in the Turkish league and he could see Emirates Stadium as the best place to develop his game.
Guler played the majority of the season in an attacking midfield role which resulted in him scoring six goals and grabbing seven assists across 35 appearances. The Gunners are looking to significantly recruit in the engine room with Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka expected to depart ahead of the next campaign.
