Arsenal are closing in on their first summer signing as new head doctor Arnaldo Abrantes is set to join from Aston Villa, while Morgan Rogers has spoken out about the transfer speculation linking him with an £80m move to the Emirates.
Mikel Arteta’s blueprint to capitalise on Arsenal’s Premier League triumph is already gathering momentum this summer.
That’s despite World Cup 2026 creating complications by stopping certain players from focusing on their club prospects. North London appears as attractive a destination for players as it has been in recent memory following the Gunners’ finally ending their top flight titlt drought and losing the the showpiece of European football the Champions League final on penalties.
Yet Arteta faces pressure to invest resources shrewdly as he looks to forge a fresh dynasty at one of England’s greatest clubs. Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers is among the names being touted for a switch to Arsenal during his World Cup duties. Here’s all the latest news from the Emirates Stadium.
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Arteta’s first summer recruit
Arsenal are poised to finalise their initial signing of the summer, after reports Arnaldo Abrantes will assume the role of the club’s new head doctor.
The ex-Olympic sprinter is set to replace Dr Zafar Iqbal, who departed after two years at the Emirates, reports the Mirror.
Abrantes became obtainable following his exit from Aston Villa at the conclusion of this season. The 39-year-old previously served as head of performance at Nottingham Forest for three years before relocating to Birmingham.
The medical department represents an area where Arsenal will seek to close certain gaps following injury problems in recent times. Ensuring the strongest possible squad is available as frequently as possible is one way in which rival clubs can gain significant advantages throughout a season.
Captain Martin Odegaard was notably affected amongst the squad’s key figures. The Norwegian was absent for considerable periods and managed only 16 league starts, while Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber also endured frustrating spells on the treatment table.
The Athletic reported Abrantes will officially begin his duties at Arsenal in July and will become the third doctor to arrive from Villa in recent months. He previously competed for Portugal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where he was knocked out in the early stages.
Rogers discusses transfer speculation
Another potential arrival from Villa, England star Rogers has revealed what it feels like to be linked with the country’s biggest clubs. More precisely, the No.10 has explained how it can influence his performances.
When questioned about whether transfer rumours had ever affected his displays on the pitch, the creative talent told The Rest Is Football: “I think the first time it ever happened it was.
“You’re in an uncomfortable spot of not realising that people have so much interest in you and you’re not quite realising that. But as you get older and gain experience along the way, you know that comes with it and 95% of it is just noise.
“You hear it, course you do. You can’t help not. You know it’s there but you’ve got to use it in a positive way. You just try and get on with your game and just focus.”
Rogers, 23, is presently in the United States with England ahead of their World Cup 2026 campaign. The tournament means any potential deal is less likely to materialise until the Three Lions bow out of the competition.
Former Manchester City prospect Rogers won’t come at a bargain price, though, given he’s tied down at Villa until 2031. Consequently, it’s been reported the attacker could set back any interested party upwards of £80million should he depart this summer.