The Gunners have already spent big this summer, forking out a combined £208.5m to sign Jurrien Timber, Declan Rice and Kai Havertz.
However, the arrivals don’t look like they’ll end there, while there’s plenty of work to do on the exits front too.
Firstly, Brentford stopper David Raya has once again emerged on Arsenal’s radar.
The Spain international, 27, has long been a target of the Gunners and his contract status is finally giving Mikel Arteta’s side a chance to act.
Indeed, Raya has entered the last year of his deal and has made it public knowledge he won’t pen fresh terms.
Brentford wasted no time signing a replacement when moving for Netherlands international Mark Flekken. The Dutchman arrived in an £11m deal from Freiburg on May 31.
That was the clearest indication yet Raya will leave the Bees this summer and despite boasting Aaron Ramsdale between the sticks, Arsenal have pounced.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the Gunners have “reached an agreement in principle” with Raya regarding personal terms.
As such, the onus is now on Arsenal to make a bid Brentford deem satisfactory. To that end, Thomas Frank and co. are understood to be seeking around £40m.
Whether the Gunners bid that high for a player in the final year of his deal remains to be seen. It could be argued Brentford’s bargaining power is not only weakened by the player’s contract status, but also through the fact they’ve already signed a replacement.
In any case, Romano added talks between Arsenal and Brentford over the transfer fee and payment structure will now “accelerate”.
Arsenal to receive £5m for centre-half
Elsewhere, the Daily Express’ Ryan Taylor, along with the Athletic and Romano have all confirmed Auston Trusty will join Sheffield United.The USA international, 25, plies his trade at centre-back and excelled while loaned to Birmingham City last season.
However, there’s no obvious route into the Arsenal eleven and a £5m bid from the newly-promoted Blades has been accepted.
Taylor of the Express labelled the move “superb business”. Explaining why, it was acknowledged Trusty was signed for less than £1.5m just two years ago.
Sheffield Utd will no doubt be happy with the move too given Trusty won Birmingham City’s Player of the Season award last year. The hope will be a player who was clearly too good for the second tier has no trouble making the grade in the Premier League.
In any case, it’s £5m Arsenal can put towards signing Raya and in all likelihood, Trusty was unlikely to ever become a key player at the Emirates anyway.
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