Arsenal look set to back Mikel Arteta in the summer window with a significant transfer war chest after a brilliant season. The Gunners came so close to preventing Manchester City from obtaining their third consecutive Premier League title, but ultimately the strength of Pep Guardiola's side proved too much as they scooped another domestic crown with games to spare.
While the heartbreak is likely prominent, Arsenal cannot allow this feeling to override what has been a truly sensational season. Not many predicted that the Gunners would have finished in a Champions League spot let alone still be in the title race in the final month of the season, but that was exactly what happened and now Arteta and Edu must use that momentum built as fuel for the coming campaigns.
However, their first task is off the pitch where the duo nail the clubs recruitment this summer. football.london understands Declan Rice is the priority while deals for Moises Caicedo, Mason Mount, Mohamed Kudus, Mohamed Simakan, Ivan Fresneda, Edmond Tapsoba, Joao Cancelo and Marc Guehi have been mooted.
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With so many targets and positions in need of depth, it is expected to be a busy time at Emirates Stadium and Edu has seemingly confirmed that will certainly be the case. In an interview with Sky Sports journalist James Green, Edu likely remained coy about Arsenal's specific plans but did hint there would be a lot of activity in north London this summer.
Speaking about the interview, Green wrote on Twitter: "Edu also told me he won’t be going too far this summer, no trips to Brazil, because he wants to be close by to be able to have face to face meetings. He is expecting to be very very busy."
This rather subtle hint comes after a fresh report by the Mail that revealed Arsenal have been given a £180million budget for the summer by owner Stan Kroenke. With Folarin Balogun and Kieran Tierney as a duo likely to be sold, over £200million could be invested into signings which opens the door for numerous additions on top of Rice.
While Arsenal look as though they are right at the front of the queue to sign the West Ham captain, there is strong interest from Bayern Munich. According to Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg, Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel has spoken to Rice directly, with the England international "open" to a move to the German giants.
The Mirror are also claiming the recently-crowned Bundesliga champions are preparing a £95million package offer for Rice, which is £3million more than what looks set to be Arsenal's first formal bid. However, moving to the Gunners is currently Rice's favoured destination, but that could change in the coming weeks after West Ham's Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina.
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