The summer transfer market is now in full swing, with Arsenal being the early movers and shakers in a barrage of huge activity all over Europe.
On July 6, the Gunners declared the acquisition of Spanish midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, thereby Mikel Arteta’s team gaining a considerable boost. The club is still looking to complete more deals, as transfer guru Fabrizio Romano confirms they are very close to wrapping up an agreement with Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres; the player side has already agreed to the conditions.
Arsenal have also made a move to secure Chelsea wide-man Noni Madueke, who purportedly has given his consent and is expecting the club to submit the first offer.
Also, Manchester City have opened preliminary negotiations with Inter Milan regarding the transfer of Dutch right-back Denzel Dumfries. Manchester United still want winger Jadon Sancho and are bargaining with Juventus for an agreement, along with announcing the coming of Paraguayan left-back Diego Leon.
Chelsea stretched their firepower with the signing of Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens, who was bought for £48.5 million plus add-ons. At the same time, Tottenham tabled a £50 million offer for West Ham star Mohammed Kudus, which got refused though the parties are still discussing.
Brighton didn’t miss out either, as they brought in Belgian left-back Maxim De Cuyper from Club Brugge, while AC Milan landed Samuele Ricci from Torino in a deal worth $27 million.
Among the numerous names published, Jonathan David is poised to join Juventus, and Angel Gomes will move on a free transfer to Marseille from Lille. At the same time, Atlético Madrid have said goodbye to Rodrigo Riquelme, who is now Real Betis player, having signed a five-year contract.
In yet another turn of events, Arsenal canceled Takehiro Tomiyasu’s contract because of injury worries, and Athletic Club supporters were jubilant as Nico Williams pledged his loyalty to the team with a new eight-year contract.
The transfer window is gathering pace quickly with many big-name signings already done.