Gyokeres and Rodrygo transfers, £21m Partey replacement - Dream Arsenal end to summer window

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta are working hard behind-scenes to sanction a number of new signings ahead of the 2025/26 season.

The Gunners are yet to confirm any transfers, thus far, but that looks all-set to change in less than one week. July signals the start of a new financial year and, therefore, unless selling clubs need a big sale to remain compliant for the previous year, it is better for the teams losing players to sanction a departure in the seventh month.

That is precisely the case with Martin Zubimendi and Real Sociedad. Arsenal have completed all necessary details for his move with £55million (€65m) to be paid across three instalments.

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The Spaniard's release clause is just below that, but this route means Arsenal do not need to pay one lump sum. It has been clear for some time that a midfield addition would be needed in the summer of 2025 with Thomas Partey and Jorginho both seeing their contracts expire.

At 32 and 33, respectively, both signing extensions appeared highly unlikely, but now it looks as though both may depart. Jorginho has already left to join Flamengo while talks for Partey are not advancing with the Gunners having just six days to resolve any issues if they want him to stay.

Looking into the market for midfielders, Arsenal should allow him to become a free agent with a dream option available at a bargain price. Three years ago, Arsenal saw multiple offers rejected by Aston Villa for Douglas Luiz.

The 18-cap Brazil international went on to join Juventus 12 months ago, but his time in Italy has been far from straightforward. Having played just 877 minutes last season, the Old Lady want to sell and he is available for just £21million (€25m), as perLa Gazzetta Dello Sport.

With that minor fee needing to be paid for Luiz and a small chunk of the £55million heading to Real Sociedad immediately, Arsenal can go big on attacking transfers.

Plenty of forwards have been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium switch, but options appear to be dwindling. Bryan Mbeumo, Nico Williams and Jamie Gittens all appear set for moves elsewhere while Arsenal simply cannot afford Newcastle's Alexander Isak asking price.

That leaves Benjamin Sesko, Viktor Gyokeres and Rodrygo as the main options - for Arteta and Berta. The latter sealing a Real Madrid exit currently appears likely with Xabi Alonso wanting funds to sign a midfielder. His asking price is believed to be £76.7million (€90m).

Even at that significant price, bringing him in is a no-brainer - with that marquee wide forward addition to help Bukayo Saka from the other flank needed for quite some time.

Signing a striker is perhaps a priority, though, with the Gunners desperately needing to get this one right. Sesko appears the favoured target, but talks with RB Leipzig look to be stalling.

Although Sporting CP have increased their Gyokeres asking price up to £68.2million (€80m), he is the No.9 that should be signed. With 54 goals scored in all competitions last season, he certainly knows where the back of the net is and Arsenal need a proven goal-scorer now.

Sesko has more potential, but he is still a little bit raw, while Gyokeres is close to the finished article. Most of his goals have come against below-par opposition, yet he did score six Champions League goals in eight appearances with three of those coming against Manchester City.

He has also done something Arteta loves and given full priority to joining Arsenal which has seen him snub moves to Juventus and Manchester United.