Arsenal information: £45m switch hijack plotted as main doubts raised over star’s future
Arsenal face a transfer dilemma this summer as Real Madrid reportedly look to hijack a £45m deal for one of their stars and Mikel Arteta must make his mind up about another
Real Madrid are plotting a transfer hijack
The past 24 hours have been a whirlwind of transfer rumours for Arsenal and, with the summer window officially opening last Monday, there has been of talk about summer arrivals.
Despite winning the Premier League and ending a 22-year title drought, Mikel Arteta was candid about his squad’s shortcomings following their heartbreaking Champions League final loss to PSG last month. And it’s anticipated the Gunners could equal the club record £250million spent last year before trying again next season to win the European Cup for the first time.
However, the goal this summer transfer window is believed to be the acquisition of three to five higher calibre players. To achieve this, sporting director Andrea Berta needs to offload some players as well. Here’s all the latest news from the Emirates Stadium.
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Gabriel Martinelli’s future in doubt
Gabriel Martinelli is reportedly considering an exit from Arsenal this summer.
The Times reports the Gunners star is open to a move overseas amid increasing speculation over Arsenal’s desire to sign a left winger, reports the Mirror.
It’s no secret that Arteta believes the left wing position requires the most immediate attention in the transfer window, given that neither Martinelli nor Leandro Trossard possess the world-class talent needed to elevate the team to the next level.
The Brazilian still has a year remaining on his deal, which can be extended by a further campaign. He was previously touted for a switch to Bayern Munich before they secured Luis Diaz last summer.
Martinelli, 25, could command a higher transfer fee than Trossard owing to his age and might therefore be the first to depart. He has spent seven campaigns in N5, netting 62 goals across 278 outings.
Real Madrid plot hijack
Piero Hincapie is reportedly in Real Madrid’s sights following Jose Mourinho’s appointment.
Mourinho, who has already brought in four fresh signings for Los Blancos, is now seeking to scupper the Ecuadorian defender’s permanent switch to the Emirates Stadium.
Despite already acquiring Marc Cucurella, ESPN claim Real Madrid are after a left-footed centre-half who can also operate as a left-back. Hincapie, 24, matches that description and the report suggests Real have lodged an enquiry.
Arsenal secured Hincapie on a season-long loan arrangement from Bayer Leverkusen last summer, with an obligation to purchase for £45m. While a permanent deal has yet to be rubber-stamped, it is widely anticipated he will return from the World Cup as an Arsenal player.
Hincapie concluded his maiden season in England as Arteta’s preferred left-back option. He turned out 25 times during their league title-winning run and chalked up a further 14 appearances across cup competitions.
