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Arsenal chief Edu and Mikel Arteta could be on a collision course over two transfer deals
COMMENT: Arsenal may need to pick just one last signing as they struggle to offload stars.
Update from Manchester United's training camp ahead of pre-season game with Arsenal
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu may end up making a difficult decision over two transfer deals. The Gunners have already spent well over £200million this summer on producing a squad capable of winning the Premier League and are likely to continue their huge outlay in the coming weeks.
Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber have all arrived at the Emirates Stadium this summer, with the aim of toppling the dominance of Manchester City. A more experienced squad will go to battle with the Treble winners in 2023-24.
However, Arteta and Edu want to continue spending to ensure Arsenal’s squad is as strong as possible. Despite acquiring Rice and Havertz, another new midfielder could be signed before the window is over.
Ajax’s Mohammed Kudus has been linked with Arsenal with Arteta said to be keen on him joining, while Edu is reportedly negotiating a move for the Brazilian ace Bitello. But Arsenal may have to make a tough choice over which deal to prioritise.
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That is because the north Londoners must begin to offload stars before they complete moves for any more high-profile, big-money arrivals. According to wide-ranging reports, Arsenal need to raise funds by selling some of their fringe stars, including Albert Sambi Lokonga, Rob Holding, Cedric Soares and Nicolas Pepe.
It's been claimed that as many as six stars could be sold to fund a £40m transfer for Kudus. It comes with Gremio president Alberto Guerra confirming interest in playmaker Bitello last week. Brazilian outlet UOL reports that Edu is the driving force behind that particular piece of business.
But Arsenal will not be able to fund transfers for both players without raising hefty funds. A failure to do so will see them forced to make a tough decision over which player to prioritise first - which could put Arteta and Edu in an awkward position.
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Arteta, meanwhile, has claimed he is happy with his squad as it is after three key arrivals. Asked whether he believes he has stronger options in all positions, the Spaniard responded: “Well it’s not A, B, C it’s A1, A2, A3 - depending on how you want to look at it.
“We are looking at options, we are training different options, but also sometimes you have to leave players on the training ground to see because sometimes when they train with each other they give you a lot of information.
“It doesn’t always have to be you (the manager) provoking information. They give you information as well and you have to be ready to take that.”