Arsenal are set for a busy summer transfer window, with Mikel Arteta keen to bring in West Ham United captain Declan Rice at the end of the current campaign
Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke is set to back Mikel Arteta heavily during the summer transfer window, freeing up a huge budget that could be more than £200 million, as per The Times.
The Gunners boss is also said to be keen to bring in an attacking player, as well as two defenders, with Barcelona winger Raphinha and Bayer Leverkusen attacker Moussa Diaby both named as potential targets. Sporting Director Edu tried to sign Raphinha from Leeds United last summer before the Brazilian international opted for the Nou Camp over the Emirates Stadium.
A number of exits could help owner Stan Kroenke fund this huge spending spree, with the likes of Granit Xhaka, Emile Smith Rowe, Folarin Balogun, Kieran Tierney, Rob Holding, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Nuno Tavares and Cedric Soares all potentially heading out the door. Signing both Rice and Caicedo would significantly strengthen Arsenal's physical attributes in midfield, with the Gunners finding it difficult to deal with teams that possess a combination of strength and technical ability in recent times.
Recent losses against Brighton and Manchester City have highlighted their weaknesses in transition and Arteta is said to appreciate the need to recruit more powerful players in the centre of the park. "(Martin) Odegaard has been the technical leader, but they are missing a physical leader,” Arsenal icon Patrick Vieira said after the north London side lost 3-0 to the Seagulls on Sunday.
"When you look at City, you get the physical attribute of the players — they are six foot plus and really strong.”