Mikel Arteta must make quick decision to avoid £30m Arsenal transfer mistake

Arsenal have not been very busy in the summer transfer window as yet. David Raya completed a permanent move to the Emirates Stadium, having spent last season on loan from Brentford, but that is the only piece of business that has gone through.

Riccardo Calafiori has been heavily linked with being the second signing of the summer, but there remains a difference between the Gunners' valuation of the Italy defender and Bologna's price tag.

There are also links with the likes of Mikel Merino, who has impressed for Spain at Euro 2024, while there will also be links with forwards, as Mikel Arteta aims to strengthen all areas of his squad ahead of the new season.

Arsenal finished just two points behind champions Manchester City last season and will be looking to challenge at the top of the table once again. They will need a stronger squad in order to do that, but sales are also important.

In order to continue to comply with Financial Fair Play and Profit and Sustainability Rules, the Gunners will need to offloads some players as well. Last summer the club signed Jurrien Timber, Declan Rice and Kai Havertz for a combined £204million.

That spend will not happen again - at least not without player sales. One player linked with an exit this summer is Thomas Partey.

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And the Ghanaian's future is probably the most important this summer given his contract situation. Partey only has one year left on his current Arsenal deal, meaning he would be able to leave for free next summer.

Arsenal are looking for around £30million for the midfielder to leave this summer and that would be a big help with their finances. If they miss out on that, they risk losing the 31-year-old for nothing next summer.

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The Gunners will be hoping to make money from a number of sales this summer, with the likes of Nuno Tavares, Kieran Tierney, Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah all linked with an exit from the Emirates Stadium.