Arsenal transfer round-up: Buendia 'keen' as Gunners target 'next Shevchenko'

Mikel Arteta and transfer chief Edu will be busy this summer with Arsenal's squad needing a revamp.

The Gunners can still finish seventh in the Premier League after what has to be seen as a transitional campaign.

But they must do much better next season - and for that, Arteta will need to strengthen in several positions.

There has been an update on reports linking Arsenal with Norwich star Emiliano Buendia, while the Gunners have also been credited with interest in a number of youngsters as they look to the future.

Here, Mirror Sport brings you the latest transfer news and rumours around the Emirates.

Buendia 'keen' on Gunners move

Emiliano Buendia is reportedly keen on a move to Arsenal - but the Gunners will have to splash out to land the Norwich star.

Arteta's side were linked with the winger in the January transfer window after missing out on Lyon attacker Houssem Aouar last summer.

Buendia scored 15 goals this season to fire Norwich to the Championship title, as well as laying on 17 assists in the second tier.

And he is on Arteta's shortlist of attacking midfield targets, according to Goal'sArsenal correspondent Charles Watts.

"From what I understand, Emi Buendía now is very much right towards the top of that list," he said on his YouTube show. "There has been no bid made to Norwich City yet for Buendía, but discussions are ongoing at Arsenal and the focus is certainly shifting towards him when it comes to potentially making an official move this summer.

“He is keen on a move to Arsenal, is my understanding. But Norwich are in a very strong position. He’s got three years left on his contract, he’s 24 years old, they’ve just been promoted to the Premier League, so it’s not like they really need the money now.

“And he’s just been called up by Argentina for the first time, so they are not going to just roll over and allow Buendía to leave for cheap. It looks like something around £40m would be needed to really get Norwich to take notice.”

Arsenal battle Spurs for midfielder

Arsenal could face competition from North London rivals Tottenham for Roma midfielder Ebrima Darboe, according to reports from Italy.

The 19-year-old defensive midfielder has made five appearances for the Giallorossi this season - including an hour against Manchester United.

Darboe replaced injured former United defender Chris Smalling after half an hour in the second leg of their semi-final, helping his side to a 3-2 win on the night which wasn't enough to overturn a 6-2 deficit from the first leg.

According to Corriere dello Sport, Arsenal and Tottenham are among the clubs tracking the Gambian midfielder's progress - although Roma are not thought to be willing to sell ahead of Jose Mourinho taking over as manager.

Gunners target can be 'next Shevchenko'

A striker hailed as the next Andriy Shevchenko could follow in the footsteps of Gabriel Martinelli by signing for Arsenal.

After the Gunners landed Martinelli from Brazilian club Ituano for just £6m two years ago, they have been linked with another raid on the South American country - this time for 19-year-old Santos star Kaio Jorge.

And former Brazil, Napoli and Milan defender Andre Cruz has compared Jorge to the man who scored 173 goals in 296 games in his first spell with the Rossoneri before flopping at Chelsea.

Describing Jorge's qualities, Cruz said: “He has technique, movement and, above all, he is a goalscorer.

“Who does Kaio Jorge look like? In him I see a little of (former Argentina star) Abel Balbo and a little of Shevchenko.”

Arsenal's apparent interest in Jorge was reported by Calciomercato back in March, while Tuttomercatoweb has claimed Napoli are favourites to land the striker for around £18m.