Arsenal Shortlist Three Players For The Summer Transfer Window …

According to reports, Arsenal have created a shortlist of three candidates for summer transfers, according to the priorities of their manager Mikel Arteta, who is spearheading the club to their first Premier League title since 2004. With nine games left in the season, the Gunners still lead Manchester City by eight points, although having played a game more. However, despite being in position to win their first league championship in almost two decades, Arsenal’s backroom staff doesn’t seem to be taking things easy.

According to a recent report, the Gunners have narrowed down their midfield transfer targets to three players as they get ready for their first Champions League campaign in six years.

Arsenal are flying high this season, as they look to lift their first Premier League title since 2004 under Mikel Arteta. Credits: Twitter

Arsenal determined to rope in midfield transfer target after drawing three-man list

Arsenal reportedly have a shortlist of three candidates for a central midfielder to join the club this summer, according to Football Insider. Declan Rice of West Ham, Moises Caicedo of Brighton and Amadou Onana of Everton,  are said to be the Gunners’ priority options in that order.

In regards to their chances of acquiring Declan Rice from West Ham in the summer, Arsenal are growing more optimistic. At the end of the current campaign, a number of Premier League clubs, notably Manchester City, Manchester United, and Chelsea, will attempt to lure the England international away from the London Stadium. Rice, who is desperate to challenge himself at a ‘Big Six’ club, is anticipated to force the Hammers, who will have just two years left on their captain’s contract, to grudgingly sell him.

Rice is reportedly Arteta’s top target, with the club prepared to offer over GBP100 million for the England international. Although there have not yet been any formal talks between West Ham and Arsenal, it is thought that the project at the Emirates Stadium appeals to the coveted midfielder, who has observed from a distance the work Arteta has done to elevate the Gunners into title contenders.

While Rice remains Arsenal’s top priority target, Caicedo and Onana are touted as their alternatives to the Hammers’ midfielder. Credits: Twitter

Back in January, Arsenal and Chelsea had expressed interest in Moises Caicedo as a result of his solid performances for Brighton.

Both teams made attempts to acquire Caicedo, with the north Londoners even bidding GBP70m for the Ecuador international as they searched for a new midfielder. Caicedo was open to their approaches and stated that he would have been “proud” to command a record transfer fee. Should Arsenal go back to Caicedo, he would prove to be another expensive option, although less than if compared to Rice.

He has now penned a new contract at the Amex Stadium until 2027, meaning Arteta’s recruitment team will have to start from where they left in January. The Seagulls are expected to demand a transfer fee in the excess of GBP80m if Caicedo is prized away from them in the summer. Everton’s Amadou Onana is one unexpected choice that has surfaced on the Gunners’ list.

While Arsenal are interested in him, Chelsea are again set to rival their London rivals for the midfielder. According to Football Insider, the Toffees are asking for GBP70 million for the Belgian. However, he might be available for a discount price if the Toffees’ are relegated this season.

They face a serious prospect of dropping to the Championship as they currently sit 16th in the table, level on points with 18th placed Bournemouth.