Arsenal are focused on their Champions League final against PSG in Budapest, but significant transfer developments are already shaping their summer plans.
Once the final in Hungary is concluded and the squad departs for the World Cup in North America, attention will firmly shift to squad strengthening.
Crucial developments concerning a few of their targets have already occurred in recent days, and neither piece of news will be welcome reading at the club.
Julian Alvarez, the Atletico Madrid striker that sporting director Andrea Berta is keen to sign, is edging closer to a move to Barcelona instead.
Berta previously brought the Argentine to Spain, making his interest in a reunion understandable, but sources involved in the potential deal suggest Alvarez only wants Barcelona.
Those sources confirmed that interest from Arsenal and PSG has not been enough to sway the striker, who has made his preference clear to those around him.
A bid for Alvarez has been submitted to Atletico and reportedly knocked back, though the player has informed the club of his desire to leave for Barcelona.
Alvarez previously played in England, winning two Premier League titles with Manchester City, and the appeal of Barcelona as a destination is clear for a South American player.
Arsenal’s second setback involves Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi, who scored 13 top-flight goals during his debut season with the Cherries and has attracted interest from most top Premier League clubs.
Bournemouth sources confirmed on Thursday that the club will not be selling Kroupi this summer, with the Cherries preparing for their first-ever European campaign.
The south coast club are under no financial pressure to sell and want to continue building around Kroupi alongside Rayan and Alex Scott, who has just been offered a new contract.
Manchester City are among a number of clubs that admire Kroupi, though it would reportedly take up to £85million to convince Bournemouth to part with the forward.
With those two avenues seemingly closed off, Arsenal may need to pivot towards alternative targets, though signing a new striker remains something less than an absolute necessity.
A left-winger is also a position of interest, with PSG’s Bradley Barcola, who Arsenal face in the Champions League final, among those admired by the club.
The Gunners are also keen to strengthen in midfield and may explore options at right-back as part of what is shaping up to be a busy transfer window.
Arsenal co-owner Josh Kroenke, speaking to NBC Sports, made clear the club’s ambitions will not slow down despite winning the Premier League title this season.
“The business never stops,” Kroenke said. “So, right now there are other teams that are already trying to strengthen to come at us for next season. So we need to be aware of that.”
Kroenke added: “We’ve already had a few conversations about different areas that we think we can improve, both on and off the pitch. We are looking forward to getting that going this summer.”
He also acknowledged the unusual dynamic the World Cup brings, saying: “It is going to be an interesting one because of the World Cup, but fortunately everybody is coming to the United States, so I don’t have to travel for once.”
