Mikel Arteta gets major Arsenal transfer boost with concrete talks held as £60m deal confirmed

Mikel Arteta and Edu face yet another decisive transfer window, with the aim of further closing the gap to Manchester City. Arsenal have already been linked to a number of players, with big updates on Nico Williams, Viktor Gyokeres and Arda Guler recently coming to light.

The Gunners are also expected to sanction some marquee senior exits, with Thomas Partey, Aaron Ramsdale and Reiss Nelson among those that could be sold. Though the summer window has been open for seven days, Arsenal are yet to be in a position where a deal looks close, but that could change soon with a number of rivals making big moves.

Chelsea are one club that appears to be very busy, with talks for Michael Olise occurring recently; however, the Crystal Palace star has chosen to go elsewhere. With that in mind, the Gunners could be handed a major Xavi Simons transfer boost following reports of contact made earlier this month.

With all of that being said, football.london has taken a look at the latest Arsenal transfer news and rumours on Saturday, June 22.

Olise to Bayern over Chelsea

Olise looks to have chosen his next club, with the Athletic claiming it will be Bayern Munich moments after revealing Chelsea had pulled out of the transfer race. With the Frenchman's choice now clear that he wanted to play Champions League football, Bayern are expected to meet his £60million release clause, with the move from Crystal Palace likely to be confirmed in due course.

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football.london says: "Arsenal were never in the race for Olise, but this could have a big impact on Arteta's plans. Bayern spending such funds here could prevent them from making any other big transfers later on in the summer window.

"Alongside that, Chelsea have been freed up to look at other targets, with their chase for Olise occupying much of their time. Athletic Club's Nico Williams has been linked to both clubs, with Chelsea looking at activating his release clause ahead of Arsenal."

Simons boost amid transfer talks

On Friday, Sky Sports German's Florian Plettenberg reported that Bayern Munich had held concrete talks to sign Xavi Simons initially on loan before making the move permanent for up to €70million (£59.2m).

However, the significant funds they are about to spend on Olise could see them back out of that deal with Arsenal primed to take advantage.

football.london says: "Arsenal are arguably just one major transfer away from unleashing their full potential and it is entirely possible Xavi Simons could bring it out of them.

"Paris Saint-Germain are currently showing no indication Simons will be at the club for the 2024/25 campaign, though that is because another loan move is being earmarked. While Arteta could push for Emirates Stadium to be his temporary destination, there is no reason why Arsenal cannot present a bumper package to PSG as Bayern looked set to do."