Arsenal's blockbuster £288m summer transfer window predicted including Porto, Bayern and AC Milan deals
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Arsenal’s summer transfer business has got off to a rather slow start as Mikel Arteta awaits his first new face of the close season. But the Gunners aren’t alone, with Euro 2024 seeing a number of players opting to put their decisions on hold until the tournament’s conclusion.
One incoming deal has been completed after David Raya’s loan move from Brentford was converted into a permanent switch There are reports suggesting another goalkeeper will arrive in the form of Ajax youngster Tommy Setford, who is set to undergo a medical over the coming days before completing a £1m move to the Emirates Stadium. There have been departures with Albert Sambi Lokonga and Nuno Tavares making respective loan moves to Sevilla and Lazio and goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo has joined the Hollywood revolution at Wrexham.
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Hide AdThere is a need for further business as Arteta looks to mount another push for a long-awaited Premier League title and there has been speculation linking the Gunners with moves for the likes of Real Sociedad’s Euro 2024-winning midfielder Mikel Merino, Bologna centre-back Riccardo Calafiori and Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres. But what business could Arteta conduct between now and the end of the summer transfer window? We fired up Football Manager 2024 to see how the world’s most popular managerial simulation believes the next seven weeks could play out at the Emirates Stadium:
Goalkeepers
As with the real-life Gunners, a permanent deal for David Raya kicked off the summer recruitment after the Spanish goalkeeper impressed during a season-long loan at the Emirates Stadium. However, the former Brentford man may well have to be content with a backup role after Arteta handed over £52m to land Portugal international Diogo Costa. There was one exit in the goalkeeping department as Aaron Ramsdale’s time as a Gunner came to a close with a move to Premier League newcomers Leicester City. As it stands, Estonia international Karl Hein is Arteta’s third choice stopper.
Arteta’s goalkeeper options: Diogo Costa, David Raya, Karl Jakob Hein
Defenders


Now this is where the real change happens in this virtual transfer window! Firstly, there were departure as Takehiro Tomiyasu (Roma), Jakub Kiwior (AC Milan), Jurrien Timber (Bayern Munich) and Nuno Tavares (Real Betis) all departed and swelled the coffers to the tune of almost £90m. Arteta wasted little time in replacing them with three new defensive additions. The Gunners boss saw off competition from the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and Inter to seal the signing of Sporting CP star Goncalo Inacio in a £42m deal before switching his attention to PSV Eindhoven’s versatile defender Lutsharel Geertruida. Brazilian international Douglas Santos also arrived and Kieran Tierney is back in contention after returning from a season-long loan spell at Real Sociedad.
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Hide AdArteta’s defensive options: Douglas Santos, Goncalo Inacio, Lutsharel Geertruida, William Saliba, Gabriel, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Ben White, Kieran Tierney
Midfielders
There was very little movement in the engine room but Fabio Vieira was allowed to depart to join Saudi Pro League club Al Ittihad in a £14m deal. Arteta opted for youth as his replacement as Motherwell’s highly-rated youngster Lennon Miller was secured in a £6m move after receiving interest from 14 different Premier League, La Liga and Serie A clubs.
Arteta’s midfield options: Declan Rice, Thomas Partey, Jorginho, Martin Odegaard, Emile Smith Rowe, Kai Havertz, Lennon Miller
Forwards


Once again there was very little movement here as Arteta largely retained faith with the forward options that helped his side push Manchester City to the final day in last season’s title race. However, there was one new addition as Portugal international Joao Felix returned to the Premier League with a season-long loan move just over a year after he struggled to make an impact during a temporary stint with Chelsea.
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Hide AdArteta’s forward options: Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson, Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli, Joao Felix
All transfer business
In: Diogo Costa (£52m from Porto), Douglas Santos (£12m from Zenit), Goncalo Inacio (£42m from Sporting CP), Lutsharel Geertruida (£49m from PSV), Lennon Miller (6m from Motherwell), Joao Felix (loan from Athletic Madrid) Total spend: £161m
Out: Aaron Ramsdale (Leicester City £24m), Takehiro Tomiyasu (£21m to Roma), Jakub Kiwior (£19.5m to AC Milan), Jurrien Timber (£43m to Bayern Munich), Fabio Vieira (£14m to Al Ittihad), Nuno Tavares (£6m to Real Betis) Total income: £127.5m
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