FINALLY DONE: Arsenal new director Andrea Berta finally secure first signing since joining the Gunners
Arsenal’s season is now over following the Premier League’s final day on Sunday.
The Gunners finished second and fell short of their pre-season aims of winning a title and, at the very least, some sort of silverware. Injuries did not help, but the Gunners ultimately fell short by some way in the Premier League, and although they came relatively close in the Champions League, they ended the season without winning any trophy,
Whether that will be accepted next season is a big question, and there is now genuine pressure on Arsenal and Mikel Arteta to start achieving in the short-term. As the Gunners look to invest in their squad again this summer, we have rounded up all the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding the Emirates Stadium.
Sesko ‘offer’
Arsenal have reportedly prepared a 100million euros (£83.9million) offer to sign RB Leizpig forward Benjamin Sesko. It has been clear for some time that Arteta likes the look of Sesko, who does fit into Arteta’s preferred mould of a striker who gets involved in build-up play.
Previous reports have suggested that Sesko could be available somewhere in the £60million to £70million range, but Fichajes say the actual offer could be worth much more. They say Berta has already held talks with Leizpig, showing the Gunners hold serious interest in the forward this summer as they look to finally land a striker.
Leao interest
Andrea Berta has reportedly sprung into action following word of a dropped asking price on the continent. Arsenal are reportedly now chasing a deal for AC Milan’s Rafael Leao, who has long been valued as one of the best wingers in Europe.
Foot Mercato say Leao is on Arsenal’s list of targets and that his asking price has dropped to £67m from £84million. It’s claimed that has led Berta to spring into action by contacting Milan to enquire over a possible deal with the Gunners needing a wideman this summer. Leao was accused of only turning up in big games by now former Milan boss Paulo Fonseca, and Leao responded by saying: “Clearly I do not agree with that.
“I have been having a great season at Milan but, like everyone else, there are ups and downs. The campaign has only just started. Look, I know that I am not the perfect player and sometimes I can do much better. I am not shaken by this criticism, I have people who help me to improve and those are the ones I have to listen to. This criticism just spurs me on to respond on the pitch.”
Arteta on next season
Arteta says planning for next season will be immediate, explaining when asked when focus will switch to the next campaign: “Now because tomorrow we already have some things that we are discussing and making decisions. Everything that is planned for pre-season and the first few weeks of the season has already been done two or three months ago, so we are now really good.
“And the moment I start to think about that, I feel goosebumps and excitement, and this is a really good sign always”. Asked if he will take a break, the Spaniard responded: “Yeah, well it will be in different ways, but certainly. From tomorrow my day will look different. There are a lot of things to do, but it won’t be, especially with that feeling in my tummy that a game is coming up. It will be a different one, and that changes everything.”
