Arsenal are wasting no time of their quest for a primary Premier League title since 2004 in a summer overhaul which could reach nearly £300million.
Mikel Arteta has guided the Gunners to a few consecutive second-placed finishes – but they’re yet to scoop major silverware since 2020.
But that would change within the 2024/25 season because the north London outfit look to finally address their lack of firepower up top.
Since Arteta succeeded Unai Emery on the Emirates in December 2019, he’s yet to sign an entire out-and-out centre-forward.
Gabriel Jesus was primarily used as a winger at Manchester City before being tasked with leading Arsenal’s line in 2022.
Meanwhile Kai Havertz was originally brought in to be an attacking midfielder, before cementing himself as Arsenal’s important up top.
Nevertheless Arsenal finally look to land the number nine they’ve been missing, as talkSPORT understands Sporting CP marksman Viktor Gyokeres is poised to reach from Portugal.
A deal value as much as £69million is within the works for the Sweden international, who can be the newest high-profile arrival at Arsenal this window.
Arsenal finally unveiled the signing of midfielder Martin Zubimendi on Sunday from Real Sociedad for £55m.
Zubimendi is the second signing the club have confirmed this summer, following the acquisition of his Spanish compatriot Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea in a £5m deal.
Brentford skipper Christian Norgaard can also be set to make a move to Arsenal in a deal rising to £15m to prove competition for Zubimendi.
Arsenal have also identified Valencia starlet Cristhian Mosquera – valued at £17m – as a back-up for star centre-back William Saliba.
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And it isn’t just Gyokeres that Arsenal are eyeing up in attack – having identified Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze as a less expensive left winger goal to Real Madrid’s Rodryo.
Eze, who boasts a £68m release clause, has held talks with the Champions League semi-finalists over a return to the club, having been released in 2011.
Arsenal have also agreed personal terms with Chelsea winger Noni Madueke, with the England international able to playing on either flank.
A deal within the region of £60m could possibly be enough to tempt the Blues right into a sale in what could see Arsenal spend £289m in a single window.
With seven first-team players to potentially come through the door, talkSPORT.com has taken a have a look at how the club could face Manchester United on the opening day of the 2025/26 campaign.
With back-to-back Premier League Golden Glove awards in his trophy cabinet, David Raya is sort of certain to deputise between the sticks, with Kepa to need to wait for his likelihood.
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Slotting in at right-back will likely be Jurrien Timber – providing he recovers as expected from his ankle surgery.
Hale End graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly – fresh from penning a long-term contract – features ahead of Riccardo Calafiori on the oppose side of defence.
And Gabriel Magalhaes and Saliba will once more proceed their formidable partnership in the guts of the backline having been instrumental in Arsenal conceding the fewest goals in each of the last two terms.
With Thomas Partey and Jorginho leaving upon the expirations of their contracts, Zubimendi will probably be deployed because the club’s lone defensive midfielder.
Captain Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice will then once more feature of their box-to-box roles, forcing Ethan Nwaneri and Mikel Merino to accept places on the bench.
Moving onto the suitable wing position, and Bukayo Saka will certainly get the nod over Madueke should his Three Lions teammate link up with him at London Colney.
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But there could possibly be a brand new face within the starting XI on the alternative flank instead of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
Despite operating as an attacking midfielder for the Eagles, Eze could play on the left side of Arsenal’s front three.
And leading the road will almost definitely be Gyokeres should Arsenal manage to secure his services.
With 97 goals scored in 102 games for Sporting, expectations are high for the 27-year-old to hit the bottom running.
And what higher solution to endear himself to Arsenal’s fans by getting himself on the rating sheet against rivals United in a possible reunion with former boss Ruben Amorim.
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