Arsenal could pull off a magnificent double transfer deal in the summer after the failures to strengthen the forward positions in the January transfer window.
Manchester City stars Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling’s contracts are set to expire at the end of next season, which means they could be available for a cut-price transfer.
The Gunners' failure to sign an attacker in the winter window means that they are extremely short in the forward positions, and will need to make more than one signing in the summer.
Mikel Arteta already has a good relationship with both of the City stars having coached them during his time working under Pep Guardiola.
Arsenal have already been linked to Raheem Sterling, as according to The Express, the Gunners are pursuing a deal for the Englishman after Barcelona pulled out of the race to sign him.
The north London side sold Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and loaned out Folarin Balogun in the January transfer window that has left them very short heading into the final stretch of the season.
They are set to be even thinner ahead of the start of the next campaign, as Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette’s contracts are set to expire in less than six months time, with no guarantee that either will sign a new deal.
It is imperative that Arsenal sign multiple forwards in the summer, and a deal for Sterling would certainly be favourable due to Arteta having a good understanding of the player.
Sterling will also have a slight idea about the way the Spaniard likes his team to set up and what he expects from his players. And according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano in October of last year, this could be Arteta’s thinking.
“For Sterling, it is about the contract. Man City have been clear with him – extend the contract, or we will try to sell you in January or next summer,” Romano told The Arsenal Lounge.
“It’s true, Arsenal would love to have him. Mikel Arteta is in love, he is convinced he would be perfect. Man City want more than £50 million.”
The 26-year-old has scored more than 100 goals during his six-year career at Man City, whilst playing an important role in their most recent Premier League title success. This is similar to Jesus, who can play across any position in attack, making his versatility an attractive trait for the Gunners.
The Brazilian has struggled to break into Guardiola’s starting eleven, and with the Manchester side likely to strengthen their strikeforce in the summer, he could fall further down the pecking order.
With both players’ contracts soon expiring, it certainly gives Edu the incentive to complete such ambitious deals.
If Arsenal can qualify for the Champions League ahead of next season, then that would help their potential efforts.
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