OFFICIAL NOW: Arsenal pull off a stunning FREE TRANSFER! 23yr old Brazilian forward joins Arsenal on a 3yr deal with option for further season if He average 40 G/A per season – Deal Confirmed last night with Announcement ongoing

OFFICIAL NOW: Arsenal pull off a stunning FREE TRANSFER! 23yr old Brazilian forward joins Arsenal on a 3yr deal with option for further season if He average 40 G/A per season – Deal Confirmed last night with Announcement ongoing

So the first transfer window of the summer is closed.

To clarify, the market opened slightly early to give those participating in the Club World Cup a chance to freshen up their squads, hence why Man City and Chelsea rushed through some of their business.

Over the next week, there will still be the usual rumours, journalists on social media with their “sources,” and plenty of negotiations with agents behind the scenes.

Yet from 19:00 on Tuesday, no deals will be officially confirmed until 16th June.

I thought this would be a good time to reflect on the links being made, what we need, what we don’t, and what might come next.

We already knew that Kieran Tierney and Jorginho would not be having their contracts extended.

Three names were separately listed as players Arsenal are still in negotiations with, one of them being Thomas Partey, although the 31-year-old is entitled to speak to other clubs.

Arsenal Make Money
We already knew that, during his loan spell in Italy, Nuno Tavares did enough to trigger a clause obligating Lazio to sign him permanently for £5 million.

As part of the deal, Arsenal will receive 25 percent of any future sale, with Lazio reportedly considering flipping him immediately to make a profit, such is the left-back’s growing reputation in Serie A.

Cruzeiro have also made Marquinhos’ return to Brazil a permanent one for £2.5 million.

Striker the Priority!
In January, Mikel Arteta admitted his squad was short in attack and needed help.

Many Gooners were therefore upset when no business was done, and Arsenal were left chasing Liverpool while relying on a teenager, a midfielder as a makeshift forward, someone on loan with zero confidence, and full-backs as attacking subs.

So the Gunners are under massive pressure this summer to bring in a striker, and get it right.

Last summer, both confirmed they were happy to stay in Germany and Portugal respectively, with a gentleman’s agreement that their clubs would not stand in their way this summer if their valuations were met.

It’s believed that our manager has been a fan of Šeško for years, with various scout reports suggesting the 22-year-old has a high ceiling. The club have been willing to wait for their No. 1 target, hence why they held off in January.

It’s been rumoured that Andrea Berta prefers Gyökeres but respects that Šeško has been a long-term target, and the Director doesn’t want to undermine negotiations with Leipzig that may have started months ago.

There’s enough money for both, but it will be only one.

As this early window closes, Šeško appears to be first pick.

Even then, the asking price would be massive, and there are cheaper alternatives.

Nico Williams, for example, has a £65 million release clause. That’s cheaper in theory, but he would want to become one of our highest earners.

The compromise could be Leroy Sané.

The German is a free agent, meaning Arsenal could justify matching his wage demands without paying a fee.

At 29, and with an injury history, Bayern Munich aren’t willing to match the offers he’s receiving from clubs in Turkey – with Galatasaray emerging as front-runners for his signature.

Arteta worked with him at Man City, but could he justify that salary when he already has depth out wide?

Martinelli’s Future?
The 23-year-old divides opinion in the fanbase, but he’s clearly a talent Arsenal could cash in on if they decide to spend big on a left-sided forward.

The domino effect could begin if Bayern Munich succeed in signing Rafael Leão from AC Milan. According to the Italian press, Martinelli would then become Milan’s top target.

The Summer Transfer Window reopens on 16th June. Do you have belief that Arsenal will start landing top targets then?