Arsenal's technical director Edu will be looking to strengthen Mikel Arteta's side this summer as the pair continue to work on the club's rebuild.
With five games of their Premier League season to go, the Gunners are in pole position to secure Champions League football next campaign. Qualifying for the prestigious competition will only make them standout to potential new players that little bit more, but even if they fail to get over the line, we're likely to witness a busy summer in north London.
In fact, Edu has already stated that he's 'excited' about the club's plans for the summer window: "The budget we used last summer, we prefer to use it to rebalance the squad, there was no point in hiring one or two players [in January], the squad was not prepared to absorb two players, we needed to rebalance the squad," he told ESPN Brasil. "Maybe next season we can go to one or two players.
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"Today we find a much more balanced squad. Our planning has already been done, it has already reached the owners. It's a matter of step by step, how we are going to finish the season and to put in place the planning that I'm very excited about."
It's expected that the Gunners will focus on bringing in two marquee names this summer, although football.london understands that Edu has not ruled out bringing additional players in. Plenty of names have subsequently been linked with joining the project, particularly strikers and central midfield players. With that in mind, let's take a look at who could don the famous red and white strip next season.
Forwards
As previously reported, the Gunners will target two centre-forwards. football.london understands that Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus and Roma frontman Tammy Abraham are among the shortlisted profiles who could arrive at Emirates Stadium. Jesus in particular remains open to leaving the current Premier League champions, with his representative holding talks with Edu throughout the past few months.
Arsenal first made enquiries for Jesus in November, with Edu maintaining a close relationship with the player's agent and the City forward himself. Jesus is expected to get more minutes between now and the end of the season as City look to increase his potential transfer fee, with the Gunners expected to lodge a bid in the region of £35million this summer.
Former Chelsea forward Abraham has scored 15 goals in Italy this season and was previously the subject of enquiries from Arsenal in January. However, football.london has learned that Roma have slapped an asking price of €80million (£67million) on Abraham, which is likely to scare away many of his potential suitors. Elsewhere, the likes of Benfica's Darwin Nunez and more recently Napoli's Victor Osimhen have been strongly linked with summer switches.
Arsenal have been tracking Nunez ahead of a potential move, as football.london reported last month. Gunners technical director Edu was in contact with the Uruguayan's representatives, but further developments have seemingly cooled over the past couple of weeks.
Meanwhile, according to tuttomercatoweb, Napoli's Chief Executive Aurelio De Laurentiis is targeting a revolution at the club, with a different approach to player acquisition and management.
The club are therefore looking to cut wages as a result and are reportedly willing to listen to offers for Osimhen. Although, it's not yet clear as to whether they'll be willing to accept bids less than the €70m (£59m) they paid Lille for him in 2020.
There's additionally been rumours of a Serge Gnabry homecoming, whilst arch rivals Tottenham Hotspur have surprisingly been linked. The wideman's contract expires next summer and reports have suggested that he's holding out for at least £250,000-a-week at Bayern Munich, a figure the Bundesliga outfit are unwilling to match.
Even if Arsenal decide to sell club record signing Nicolas Pepe, Gnabry's return is less likely, but he has previously stated that he's 'always a Gunner' - make of that what you will.
Midfielders
The Gunners should be on the hunt for at least one central midfielder this summer after it's been made clear that Arteta's side are lacking depth in the position. In terms of incomings, as per The Sun, the Gunners are leading the race to sign Youri Tielemans.
Their strong position in the pursuit of Champions League qualification puts them ahead of Manchester United as a potential suitor. Meanwhile, others, including Ruben Neves of Wolves, have also been considered.
A report from Sky Sports News earlier this month stated that Wolves are expected to demand between £50million and £60million for the Portuguese star, who has two years left on his deal. Barcelona have also shown an interest, but it seems as though Arteta would like to bring him to the Emirates.
football.london previously reported that Italian giants Roma will come back in for Switzerland international Granit Xhaka at the end of the season having failed to tempt him to the Stadio Olimpico last summer. However, his recent exceptional form may persuade Arteta to keep hold of him.
Back five
Arsenal have spent a lot of money on their back five in the past few years so it would be surprising to see any marquee signings join in the summer.
American goalkeeper Matt Turner's deal is finally set to be announced, whilst Bernd Leno is expected to depart, having lost his shirt to Aaron Ramsdale this season. Auston Trusty - who was signed in January and loaned back to Colarado Rapids - could return to add further cover, but it's likely he'll be loaned out to a European club next season to gain further experience.
The question on every Arsenal fans' lips, however, is whether William Saliba will stay or go. The defender has impressed whilst on loan at Marseille, and supporters are hoping he will finally be integrated into the first-team picture at the beginning of the next campaign.
Despite saying he is very happy at the Ligue 1 club amid talk of a permanent transfer this summer, football.london understands the plan is for the Gunners to open preliminary talks regarding a new contract towards the end of his loan spell. It would be a great shame if Saliba - who cost Arsenal £27million - never played for the north Londoners. The loan spells have surely been part of a wider plan, and he could be like a brand new signing if he's trusted to hit the ground running upon his return.
Plus, if he does come back to the Gunners, it means Ben White can be shifted across the backline if necessary to provide cover in the right-back area - something that's important considering Takehiro Tomiyasu's recent injury struggles. That being said, a younger, more natural full-back could also be targeted to provide further competition in that area.
Arsenal's dream window
So, if everything goes to plan, what will be Edu and Arteta's dream window? To sum it up, let's take a brief look.
Forwards: Two of the following: Jesus, Abraham, Nunez and Osimhen. Gnabry or another winger would be an added bonus.
Midfielders: At least one experienced but talented central midfielder in Neves or Tielemans. Perhaps another if Xhaka does depart.
Defenders: Saliba returns. If required, a younger right-back may be on Edu's radar.
