Arsenal transfer round-up: Norwich name price for Buendia but Dest not keen

With  Mikel Arteta  looking to reshape his squad in the coming months,  Arsenal’s  first signing of the summer window could set the tone for next season.

Along with technical director Edu, Arteta is tasked with retrofitting a team which finished eighth in the  Premier League  last term.

Arsenal ’s transfer business has been hit-and-miss during his tenure, with Willian and Runar Alex Runarsson two of the most obvious missteps.

Cedric Soares has been a passable back-up at full-back, though it’s still vaguely baffling that he’s contracted to the club until 2024, while Pablo Mari has done a good job at centre-back.

The jury is still out on Gabriel and Thomas Partey, who had numerous setbacks last season even if they impressed in fits and bursts.

After an underwhelming campaign, Arteta and Edu have to get their recruitment right this summer or they could come under serious pressure.

Here’s Tuesday’s Arsenal transfer round-up with all the latest developments.

With Arsenal among the clubs linked with a move for Norwich winger Emi Buendia, there’s interesting news from Carrow Road.

Speaking to BBC Sport, sporting director Stuart Webber has suggested that he could be available for somewhere upwards of £30m.

Buendia, Todd Cantwell and Max Aarons are some of Norwich’s most valuable assets. “If we do sell one, it’s going to be a club record deal,” said Webber.

“It’s probably going to start with a number three in front of it and that will give us great opportunities to maybe make the whole [squad] better as well.

“We’re really relaxed on that front.”

Hector Bellerin could depart the Emirates this summer, which would leave Arsenal in need of a replacement right-back.

They certainly aren’t the only club credited with an interest in Sergino Dest – Juventus and Bayern Munich are also reportedly monitoring his situation – so signing him from Barcelona would be a master stroke.

Unfortunately for Arteta, Dest isn’t keen on the idea of leaving Camp Nou after just one season.

According to Sport, he has told interested parties: “I’m only thinking about Barca”.

Dest, 20, joined Barcelona from Ajax last October and went on to make 41 appearances in his debut campaign, winning the Copa del Rey. He represents the USA at international level and is considered one of the most exciting young full-backs in the game.

In light of David Luiz’s departure, Arsenal could also be in the market for a centre-back.

According to German outlet Bild, Bayern Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba is on their shortlist.

Tapsoba, 22, made 39 appearances for Bayer last season as they finished sixth in the Bundesliga. With Sven Bender retiring and Aleksandar Dragovic off to Red Star Belgrade, however, the club hierarchy have little interest in losing another defender.

Sporting director Simon Rolfes has shut down talk of a transfer, saying: “Edmond should also play a very important role for us in the next season.”

Bayer would only change their stance for an offer over €70m (£60.2m).