The conclusion of the summer’s international action is set to kick the transfer window into gear, and Arsenal are one of several Premier League clubs to keep an eye on.
Having pushed Manchester City all the way in the title race for two successive seasons, the target for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal in 2024/25 is to go one better. With Pep Guardiola potentially exiting the division at the end of the upcoming campaign, Arteta may have just one more chance to beat his mentor to the crown.
The Gunners need to streamline this summer in order to ensure their squad is best prepared for another rigorous season. Deadwood must be removed with high-quality added. Arsenal don’t need an overhaul, they just require the finishing touches.
Here are four Euro 2024 stars they should be targeting in the transfer market this summer.
1. Riccardo Calafiori
Arsenal are already involved with Italian international Calafiori and merely need to negotiate with Bologna to bring the young defender to north London.
After shining for Thiago Motta’s Champions League-bound Rossoblu in a unique function last season, Calafiori made Luciano Spalletti’s Euro 2024 squad and emerged as one of the few bright sparks. It was his trademark driving run out of the defence which set the stage for Mattia Zaccagni’s dramatic late equaliser against Croatia in Italy’s final group game.
Calafiori performed a more traditional centre-back function for his country in Germany, but he showed off his unicorn-like profile last term. Immensely cool in possession and capable of operating in a myriad of zones, Calafiori is the type of Swiss army knife performer Arteta adores.
The Italian could perform multiple roles in the Spaniard’s system, and he represents a notable upgrade over Arsenal’s current left-back options, including Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko, who’s fallen out of favour.
2. Nico Williams
Barcelona are leading the race for one of Spain’s heroes at the tournament, Williams, although Arsenal are one of several Premier League clubs that hold an interest in the 22-year-old winger.
The Spaniard is electrifying down the left flank, and his work during the knockout stages depicted Williams’ ever-improving efficiency in the final third. He’s no mere trickster who dazzles in one-on-one situations, Williams can create via a variety of crosses and score off both feet.
The Athletic Club winger is nothing short of joyous to watch, and Arsenal are shifting their attentions away from a centre-forward in favour of a winger this summer.
Williams fits the bill for this Gunners outfit. Arsenal must be more destructive in transitions to ensure they boast an even greater threat in big away games, and the lightning-quick 22-year-old will supply the requisite threat.
3. Tijjani Reijnders
Arsenal will splash the cash in the middle of the park, but whom they’ll sign is up for debate. The profile of their key midfield addition will depend on the future of Thomas Partey, and whether Arteta fancies utilising Declan Rice as a #6 or #8 moving forward.
The Gunners will target a midfielder comfortable playing in front of the defence as well as in more advanced zones. Arsenal shouldn’t be looking further than Milan’s Reijnders.
The Dutch midfielder has Ilkay Gundogan-like traits and spent the Euros controlling proceedings in the middle of the park. He’s perhaps not a natural dictator, but he’s a lovely technician that’s rarely flummoxed. Reijnders can also carry the ball superbly from deep positions and crash the box when space opens up.
He’s a do-it-all midfielder that has the capacity to excel in multiple roles for Arteta. The Spaniard did hold an interest in Gundogan before he left for Barcelona, so the Arsenal boss must at least boast some intrigue in Milan’s maestro off the back of an impressive Euros.
4. Dani Olmo
It’d be harsh to suggest that Pedri’s injury, sustained in Spain’s quarter-final win over Germany, was a blessing in disguise. However, it did allow Olmo to come to the fore and the RB Leipzig star had a huge say in his country’s eventual triumph.
Having scored off the bench in the round of 16 against Georgia, Olmo netted the decisive second goal against France in the semi-final before making an all-important goal line clearance to deny Marc Guehi from equalising at the death in the final.
Olmo was a key contributor for an excellent Spain side, dazzling with his ability in and around the opposition’s box. He’s such a crafty customer, and he will be leaving RB Leipzig this summer. Clubs have the option to trigger the release clause in his contract before 20 July, otherwise, they’ll have to negotiate with the German club.
The Spaniard’s profile is ideal for both Guardiola and Arteta, with Man City and Arsenal reportedly both in for him. Just imagine Olmo working in tandem with Martin Odegaard. Dreamy.
