The Spanish coach is having second thoughts over a swoop for Declan Rice (Picture: Getty)
Mikel Arteta is reconsidering Arsenal’s transfer priorities this summer following Wednesday’s defeat to Manchester City and feels the squad may need more surgery than he initially realised, according to reports.
The Spanish coach has always viewed Arsenal’s development in stages and had hoped they had reached the point where they could bring in just a couple of marquee signings to complete their squad.
An example the Gunners have long looked to is that of Liverpool, who slowly reshaped their squad before spending big to add the final two pieces of the puzzle: goalkeeper Alisson and centre-back Virgil van Dijk – both of whom were record signings at the time for their position.
Arteta had hoped to bring in two stand-out, big-money signings this summer – such as Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo – to complete his side and challenge once again next season.
But, according to The Sun, Arteta is now reconsidering that approach and feels there are other areas of the squad which need strengthening too – which means his budget cannot be devoted entirely to just two players.
The defeat to City was painful on a number of levels, but it also underlined the gulf in quality between the two squads and particularly the benches.
While Arsenal brought on a trio of academy graduates to try and change the game, City were able to call upon Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez and World Cup winner Julian Alvarez.
A £100m swoop for Rice may no longer be feasible (Picture: Rex)
Arsenal simply do not have that same level of depth and Arteta is now exploring ways to finance moves for two more defenders and possibly another winger – in addition to still wanting two new midfielders.
The north Londoners had earmarked around £150million to bring in Rice and Caicedo, with the former likely to command a British-record fee, but are now rethinking that approach and considering cheaper options.
Youri Tielemans, who is a free agent in the summer, is back on their radar, while they are also looking at Mason Mount – who is about to enter the final year of his Chelsea contract.
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Signing cheaper midfielders would allow Arteta to bring in a new right-sided centre-back to offer cover and competition for William Saliba, with the Gunners missing the Frenchman massively while he has been sidelined.
They also want to bring in a more orthodox right-back to act as understudy to Ben White and Real Valladolid full-back Ivan Fresneda remains a target.
Arsenal will need to offload a number of players to raise funds and the club are hopeful decent loan spells for the likes of Nicolas Pepe, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Nuno Tavares and Pablo Mari will help secure buyers this summer.
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The Spanish coach is having second thoughts over a swoop for Declan Rice.