Arsenal are busy in the transfer market as the Premier League champions are preparing to defend their crown starting with facing Coventry City
Arsenal will open the 2026/27 Premier League season when they host newly-promoted Coventry City – and the reigning champions are ready to defend their crown.
New signings include midfielder Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle for £75million, defender Ezri Konsa of Aston Villa for £51m and £34m former Club Brugge winger Christos Tzolis – who got two assists in the 3-0 thumping of Manchester City in the Community Shield. Tzolis could keep his place in the Gunners’ side on Friday evening.
More new faces are expected to arrive before the summer transfer window slams shut on September 1, but first Mikel Arteta must aim to outsmart Frank Lampard and his Sky Blues tonight. Here’s all the latest news from the Emirates Stadium.
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Ferdinand lauds ‘magnificent signing’
Rio Ferdinand has given Arsenal’s recruitment of Ezri Konsa his seal of approval, reports the Mirror.
When dissecting Konsa’s £51m transfer from Aston Villa, the Manchester United legend labelled it “magnificent” and suggested shelling out such a fee for the England international is a “steal”.
Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel: “I think this is a magnificent signing. A player in his prime who knows exactly who he is and what he is. There’s no frills about him. He’s a solid, really, really, really good Premier League defender.
“I think it’s an absolute steal in today’s market. 28-years-old, minimum four or five years of really, really solid, dependable service, and he provides vital cover in two areas: centre-half and right-back.
“You’ve got Ben White, who seems fit now, but has had injuries in the right-back area. You’ve got Timber, who hasn’t been able to stay fit as well, and William Saliba’s injury concerns as well.
“He’s going to be great cover. Someone who can come in there and just play straight away, no questions asked. And that versatility at the top level, the reliability as well, both right-back and centre-half, absolute steal.”
He concluded: “If you go and get him, that just reinforces why I think Arsenal are going to go and win the league again, because it’s a sensible and very good signing.”
Yildiz-Martinelli swap deal mooted
Arsenal’s chase for Kenan Yildiz could see them propose Gabriel Martinelli to Juventus as part of an exchange deal, according to reports.
Arteta’s ambition to land a world class left winger this summer is widely recognised, with Juventus ace Yildiz believed to be amongst his preferred targets.
The Turkey international, 21, penned a fresh deal earlier this year which runs until 2030. Consequently, Juve are anticipated to demand a substantial fee for their star man.
The Independent reports that they would seek in excess of £60m to sell, though one potential solution that’s been mooted is for Arsenal to send Martinelli in the other direction.
The report claims such an arrangement would require extensive negotiations, as player exchanges typically do.
Arsenal have been receptive to bids for Martinelli, 25, this summer in a bid to balance their finances as they pursue a marquee attacking addition.
They reportedly turned down a £38m offer from Galatasaray last week and are holding firm for a higher bid, despite the Brazilian winger’s preference to stay in north London.
Yildiz’s £60m valuation would be far more aligned with how Arsenal rate Martinelli, meaning a swap deal plus additional funds could be utilised to entice Juventus.