Arsenal sporting director Edu managed to strengthen the club through the January transfer window in which the club brought in three players into the team in the form of Jorginho, Jakub Kiwior and Leandro Trossard. However, there were other players who proved either too expensive or not for sale in this trickiest of markets.
There is an expectation that Arsenal may return in the summer for some of these players as they seek to consolidate what they hope will be a strong season. With the expectation of Champions League football returning to the red and white half of north London too, this will open up further doors for Mikel Arteta and his wider recruitment team.
With that in mind, Arsenal supporters have the rest of this season to keep an eye on some potential targets. football.london takes a look at a selection that fans should be keeping tabs on before the summer window opens.
READ MORE: Three things that will ‘definitely’ happen to Arsenal amid Qatari takeover of Manchester United
Declan Rice
It is understood by football.london that Decan Rice is the main transfer target for Arsenal in the summer. The West Ham United midfielder has been on the radar for some time and with his contract in east London running down, the Hammers may well be forced to cash in.
Arsenal have already faced Rice this season in their 3-1 win over David Moyes’ side on Boxing Day. Rice was a key figure in tackles, interceptions and turnovers and the performance gave the Gunners’ hierarchy only more reason to follow him through to the summer.
There will be other candidates trying to sign Rice. Chelsea and Manchester United will be expected to rival Arsenal, while Newcastle and Manchester City can never be ruled out of expensive homegrown options.
Youri Tielemans
Linked with Arsenal in the summer, football.london understood that Edu was willing to wait until the following summer of 2023 to sign Youri Tielemans on a free transfer. He has decided not to extend his deal with Leicester City and will earn a favourable signing on fee and wage increase with his summer switch.
Despite the Gunners’ keenness last summer, the Belgian’s stock has fallen somewhat this season with a string of underwhelming displays. Should he want to rekindle the desire of the potential league champions to push to bring him in, his second half of the season will need to be impressive.
Moises Caicedo
The biggest story in the lead-up to deadline day of this January window was Moises Caicedo. Arsenal had two substantial offers for the Ecuador international rejected by Brighton in an engagement which has potentially damaged the relationship between the two clubs.
That said, football is a business and with Caicedo contributing to a potential European qualification for the Seagulls between now and the end of the season, they may be more open to granting his leave come July. Arsenal therefore will be keeping tabs on how he performs in the remainder of the season before deciding to return or look elsewhere.
Ivan Fresneda
Another much-talked-about January transfer target, Ivan Fresneda was a relatively unknown figure to most before Arsenal held discussions with his representatives, football.london understands. However, both the interest from the Gunners and Borussia Dortmund never progressed past this phase.
He remained with the La Liga side and it is expected he will instead make his big switch in the summer. This will give several months for his profile to not only grow but for fans to become far more familiar with his talents, which have been likened to that of a right-sided Oleksandr Zinchenko.
READ NEXT:
Gabriel Jesus' likely return game for Arsenal revealed with Mikel Arteta to get dream scenario
Arsene Wenger can hand Mikel Arteta solution to right-back variety with Arsenal throwback pick
When Arsenal will make Folarin Balogun transfer decision as next season's plans 'revealed'
Mikel Arteta may have changed his mind on £34m signing Fabio Vieira after key Arsenal decisions
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
