Mikel Arteta has two-man transfer shortlist as Arsenal sent £60m demand

The Premier League season has only been finished for a couple of days, but the transfer season is now in full swing as Arsenal look to get ahead of their rivals in the summer market.

After final day disappointment in the Premier League title race, Mikel Arteta will look to shape his squad in the summer to go one step better in the 2024/25 campaign. That could mean both ins and outs at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal have already been linked with many players ahead of the window, while others have been linked with moves away from the club. It looks set to be an interesting couple of months.

Unfortunately for Arsenal, other clubs will also be looking to move in the market, meaning that they could face competition for some of their summer targets. The impact of the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability rules (PSRs) could also come into play as the transfer window goes on.

As the transfer rumours and talks ramp up, football.london have taken a look at the latest transfer rumours around the club and also given our perspective on some of the talk. Take a look below.

Two-name striker short-list

Arsenal are seeking to sign a striker before they head off on their pre-season tour, with two names reportedly at the top of their shortlist. It is claimed that plans for next season are already underway, despite the season finishing a matter of hours ago.

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The Independent report that Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak and Ajax’s Brian Brobbey are the two names that Arsenal are looking at. Isak is said to be the preferred option but Arsenal are expecting to come up against resistance from Newcastle who will not want to sell their star man.

Arteta is said to want to get business done early, meaning that they could move onto Brobbey if any potential deal for Isak is proving to be too difficult. The 22-year-old is gaining interest from several clubs around Europe.

football.london says: The approach from Arsenal in looking to get deals done early is the right way to go as Arteta looks to get that extra edge that will take them one step further this season. After all, the longer the boss has to get to know any news signings and work with them before the season starts, the better. It’s obviously not always possible to get players in early, given the complex nature of deals, and that could be the case with Isak.

I can definitely see why he would be the first choice for Arsenal, given that he is proven in the Premier League and could hit the ground running. But it won’t be easy to convince Newcastle to sell this summer unless Arsenal are willing to offer a huge amount of money.

It’s therefore sensible for the club to have a backup option. The only problem they could have is the other interest around Brobbey, if they move to Isak first, other clubs could make their move on the Ajax man.

Pedro Neto demand

Arsenal have been heavily linked with Wolves winger Pedro Neto for some time, but they have competition from several clubs around the league. The club also faces the hurdle of Wolves’ transfer demands.

According to the Telegraph , Wolves have set the asking price for Neto at £60 million ahead of the summer transfer window. The report also adds that Manchester City and Newcastle United are two of the clubs who are interested.

Wolves are said to be under no pressure to raise money this summer after making a few big money sales this time last year. However, should they wish to refresh their squad they could look to cash in to raise some more funds.

football.london says: While Neto has previously impressed in the Premier League, paying out a £60 million fee for a player who has struggled with injuries in the season just gone would be a massive risk for any club. The 24-year-old missed 17 games throughout the season just gone due to two separate hamstring injuries.

Neto can play across the front line, but his natural position is on the right, the same position as Bukayo Saka. If another player is needed in the position is likely to come down to where Reiss Nelson’s future lies.

The academy graduate is one of the players said to be up for sale in the summer, meaning that Arsenal could potentially look to bring another right-sided player to the club. If they would be willing to spend £60 million on a player to compete with Saka is still to be seen.