Victor Osimhen decision and two transfers Arsenal can agree on summer 2024 deadline day
The Gunners still have some business to do
Arsenal have had a rather busy summer transfer window but there are still a few deals to be done on deadline day, so here are three moves for Mikel Arteta to try and agree.
Investment has often been forthcoming in recent seasons as owner Stan Kroenke and co-chairman Josh Kroenke provide coach Arteta plus sporting director Edu the funds to create a title-winning team at Arsenal. But trophies have evaded the Gunners since the 2020 FA Cup.
Arteta has turned the Emirates Stadium natives into a title-contending team, at least, after a pair of runners-up finishes in the past two Premier League seasons. They will hope the third time is the trick this term after adding Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino to Arteta’s squad.
The exit door at London Colney has also seen a flurry of deadwood and fans’ favourites pass through this summer. Arteta said farewell to depth as Mohamed Elneny’s contract expired in N5 before Arsenal sold academy graduate Emile Smith Rowe to Fulham for an upfront £27m.
Further departures from Arsenal are likely during deadline day for the summer 2024 transfer window, as well as potential arrivals. So, with that in mind, TBR Football looks at three deals that Arteta and Edu can strive to secure for Arsenal before the transfer window slams shut…
Fulham look to reunite Emile Smith Rowe with Arsenal outcast Reiss Nelson
Smith Rowe might not be the only player swapping north London for the west of the English capital this summer. Fulham are even interested in signing Reiss Nelson from Arsenal before deadline day is done with the winger not a key part of Arteta’s plans, according to TEAMtalk.
The Cottagers are keen to secure Marco Silva another wide threat after they allowed Bobby De Cordova-Reid’s contract to expire. Nelson also remains on the market after Leicester City and West Ham United did not sign the Hale End product whom Arsenal are open to bids for.
Arsenal have slapped a £20m price tag on Nelson as his contract at Emirates Stadium runs to June 2027. But Fulham are weighing up testing that stance after seeing Arteta only give the winger two minutes across the Gunners’ opening two Premier League fixtures this term.
Nelson was an unused substitute when Arsenal started the term with a 2-0 win over Wolves and replaced Bukayo Saka in the closing stages of their 2-0 win at Aston Villa. It follows from last term when Nelson played just 15 Premier League fixtures, starting one, for 257 minutes.
Selling Nelson to Fulham on deadline day could allow Arteta to reinvest the funds in another of Arsenal’s transfer targets. But seeing the former England youth winger reunite with Smith Rowe at Craven Cottage would strip Arteta’s team of their primary understudy for Saka, too.
Arsenal raid Brighton & Hove Albion to sign Simon Adingra on deadline day
Arsenal know the benefits of raiding Brighton & Hove Albion thanks to the success that Ben White and Leandro Trossard have had in N5. Another Seagulls star may be heading to north London before this summer’s market closes, too, as Arteta strives to sign further firepower.
Brighton star Simon Adingra has attracted late-window interest from Arsenal as the transfer of a wide player remains coveted, according to football.london. Nico Williams has long been on Arteta’s radar but the Gunners are currently unlikely to tempt him out of Athletic Bilbao.
The Gunners’ transfer team have also kept tabs on Adingra for some time and appreciate his dribbling, pressing and versatility. But Brighton want £50m for the 22-year-old with a goal at Everton and an assist against Manchester United to begin his 2024/25 Premier League term.
Adingra has not started a top-flight game for the Amex Stadium side since Fabian Hurzeler’s arrival at the helm, though. He replaced Kaoru Mitoma in just stoppage time against the Red Devils, too. So, Arsenal displaying firm interest might tempt Adingra to consider the transfer.
Hurzeler leaving Adingra to a backup role might create an opening for Arsenal to bring down Brighton’s price tag, too. He was a main part of Roberto De Zerbi’s XI last term with 25 starts in 31 top-flight fixtures. The 14-cap Ivorian also penned six goals plus one assist last season.
Arsenal could make shock deadline-day move for Victor Osimhen
Arsenal’s desire to bring in a new number nine has been well-documented this summer. The Gunners failed in their pursuit of Benjamin Sesko, with the Slovenian striker opting to extend his deal with RB Leipzig.
Ivan Toney meanwhile is another forward who has been linked with a move to the Emirates, but the Gunners seem reluctant to secure a deal for the England international.
One name though which seemingly fails to go away is Victor Osimhen. Arsenal have strongly linked with Osimhen all summer but have been put off by Napoli’s lofty £110m valuation. The Gunners however could potentially swoop in at the eleventh hour and secure a bargain deal for the Nigerian.
Osimhen could be available for as little as £55m as the Italian side look to offload the striker before the window slams shut. Top strikers are rare nowadays and often come at a premium, so Mikel Arteta’s side should ultimately jump at the chance to sign the forward before the likes of Chelsea do so.
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