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Arsenal's transfer plan becomes clear as Gunners eye cut-price Joao Cancelo alternative
Mikel Arteta may have a plan to bolster his Arsenal squad in the summer transfer window.
'It's a waste of time if he goes to Arsenal' — West Ham fans on Declan Rice
Arsenal's summer transfer strategy could point towards Mikel Arteta eyeing a midfield overhaul, starting with West Ham United captain Declan Rice. The Gunners are eyeing cut-price options in defence and attack, according to reports, leaving plenty of Arteta's budget to go towards his engine room.
Arsenal are reportedly keen on a new full-back, with Manchester City's Joao Cancelo linked after Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus' switches from the Etihad Stadium last summer.
However, Belgian football expert Sacha Tavolieri claims that Arsenal are in talks with Leicester City over Timothy Castagne.
The Foxes are said to be willing to cash in on Castagne after their Premier League relegation, and he presents a cheaper alternative to Cancelo.
The report adds that Arsenal want to focus on other priorities first, but he is on Arteta's radar alongside Valladolid's Ivan Fresneda this summer.
Arsenal also look set to save funds in the attacking department, handing Reiss Nelson a new long-term contract to provide competition for Bukayo Saka.
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Nelson is said to have agreed a deal until 2028 worth £100,000 a week with a £5million signing bonus.
The decisions make it seem like Arteta is ready to put all his eggs in the midfield basket this season, with Rice his priority target.
According to The Guardian, Arsenal are closing in on a deal worth over £100m for the 24-year-old England international.
The Gunners have also been linked with Ilkay Gundogan on a potential free transfer and January target Moises Caicedo.
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Given Brighton and Hove Albion are expected to demand north of £70m for the 21-year-old, it's unlikely Arteta will pursue him on top of Rice.
But it seems almost nailed on that the majority of Arsenal's summer budget will go towards boosting his midfield ranks.
Granit Xhaka will leave Arsenal for Bayer Leverkusen in the coming months, leaving a void to fill.
Arteta is zoned in on upgrading his options, though, so he can guide his side to a second successive Premier League title challenge next season.
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