Arsenal's £224m summer transfer window predicted with Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Man City deals

There will be a fierce determination within the Arsenal hierarchy as they look to boost Mikel Arteta’s squad during the summer transfer window.

The Spanish boss has overseen something of a transformation at the Emirates Stadium and the Gunners now look like genuine Premier League title contenders. But after narrowly falling short in the last two seasons and seeing Manchester City pip them at the post, what business do Arsenal need to conduct to finally end their two-decade wait to secure a title.

As it stands, the only new face to arrive was Ajax goalkeeper Tommy Setford - although a permanent move for loan stopper David Raya has been confirmed. There have been some outgoings with Nuno Tavares and Albert Sambi-Lakonga making respective loan moves to Lazio and Sevilla and Cedric Soares and Mohamed Elneny have left the club after their contracts came to an end.

But the limited activity got us thinking. What business could the Gunners conduct between now and the end of the 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

Well this is quite a boring, low-key start to this isn’t it? No new faces, no departures, just Ramsdale and Raya battling it out to be Arteta’s number one and recent signing Charlies Setford also thrown into the mix with the use of the editor.

Arteta’s goalkeeping options: David Raya, Aaron Ramsdale, Charlie Setford

Defenders

Now there’s some interesting movements here as Arteta makes three eye-catching signings. First up, the Gunners boss sees off competition from AC Milan, Barcelona and Manchester United to land Benfica’s highly-rated centre-back Antonio Silva in a £57m deal. He will be joined by Germany international Jonathan Tah after he was snapped up in an £18m move from Bayer Leverkusen and £33m was enough to persuade Real Madrid to authorise Ferland Mendy’s move to North London. There were departures in defence as Jurrien Timber and Jakub Kiwior joined Bayern Munich and Napoli respectively and swelled the Emirates coffers with around £62m.

Arteta’s defensive options: William Saliba, Gabriel, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Kieran Tierney, Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Antonio Silva, Jonathan Tah, Ferland Mendy

Midfielders

Once again, we looked to the in-game editor to send Albert Sambi-Lakonga to Sevilla to ensure there was a realistic look to the squad. Perhaps not so realistic is the £21m purchase of Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips - although he will be reunited with England team-mate Declan Rice. That’s if he can get into Arteta’s midfield of course. That is a strange move given Thomas Partey and Jorginho both remained at the club.

Arteta’s midfield options: Declan Rice, Thomas Partey, Jorginho, Martin Odegaard, Kalvin Phillips

Forwards

There was one departure at the top end of the pitch after Reiss Nelson made a £7m move to Premier League rivals Liverpool - and it was a case of one-in, one-out for Arteta as he snapped up Kingsley Coman on a season-long loan from Bayern Munich. That move should become a £45m permanent switch next summer.

Arteta’s forward options: Kai Havertz, Fabio Vieira, Emile Smith-Rowe, Bukayo Saka, Eddie Nketiah, Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard, Kingsley Coman

Ins

David Raya (£26m from Brentford), Kalvin Phillips (£21m from Manchester City), Antonio Silva (£57m from Benfica), Kingsley Coman (loan from Bayern Munich), Jonathan Tah (£18m from Bayer Leverkusen), Ferland Mendy (£33m)

Jurrien Timber (£43m to Bayern Munich), Reiss Nelson (£7m to Liverpool), Jakub Kiwior (£19m to Napoli), Nuno Tavares (loan to Lazio), Albert Sambi Lakonga (loan to Sevilla)