z3u9t.icuArsenal manager Mikel Arteta “loves” one Barcelona star and believes he’d be a cracking addition to the Gunners squad, according to reports, but he faces competition from a direct Premier League rival in pursuit of the player.
Josh Kroenke promises Arsenal investment this summer
Before their 1-0 win over Newcastle on Sunday, co-chair Josh Kroenke addressed supporters on the disappointment of finishing second in the Premier League yet again.
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The Gunners are making progress in their pursuit of a forward, who has enjoyed a fantastic 2024-25 campaign.
ByDominic Lund
In quotes taken from Arsenal’s matchday programme, Kroenke also promised fans that there will be investment into the squad this summer, as the north Londoners look to end their 22-year wait for a domestic top flight crown.
“We all want to win it,” said Kroenke.
19/20 – winter
£0
20/21 – summer
£81.5m
20/21 – winter
£900k
21/22 – summer
£156.8m
21/22 – winter
£1.8m
22/23 – summer
£121.5m
22/23 – winter
£59m
23/24 – summer
£208m
23/24 – winter
£0
24/25 – summer
£101.5m
24/25 – winter
£0
“We plan to invest to get behind winning and doing better next season. Ultimately, we all want the same thing. We’re as hungry for success as you are and that goes for everyone who works for the club.”
That pledge is already being answered, as Arsenal are widely believed to have agreed a deal for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, with reports from both abroad and England strongly suggesting that Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres could be Andrea Berta’s second summer capture after the Spain midfielder.
Arsenal are apparently keen to strengthen across the board, particularly in the attacking areas, with Berta and co targeting a right-winger, left-winger and striker (GiveMeSport).
Mikel Arteta "loves" Ferran Torres and wants him at Arsenal
One man who can play out wide and through the middle as a centre-forward is ex-Man City starlet Ferran Torres. The £161,000-per-week Barça attacker boasts 19 goals from 45 appearances in all competitions under Hansi Flick this season, leaving little wonder both Arteta and Aston Villa boss Unai Emery are particularly keen.
That is according to journalist Graeme Bailey, who told The Boot Room that Arteta is a big fan of Torres and ideally wants him at Arsenal.
“Firstly, with Ferran Torres’ situation — Mikel Arteta loves Torres from his time at City, and he knows how City highly rated him,” said Bailey.
“Arteta knows what Torres could bring to Arsenal, but he’s not the only manager who likes him. Villa like Torres and so does Unai Emery.
“But my information is that Torres still has no intention of leaving Barcelona. Hansi Flick has used him quite a bit this season, but even when he hasn’t been playing in the past, he didn’t want to leave Barcelona.”
The 25-year-old appears more likely than not to remain at the Camp Nou, which is a crying shame when factoring in just how much he could reinforce Arsenal’s ranks.
Arteta is known to value versatility in any player, and Torres has featured on both the right and left-hand side whilst also operating as an out-and-out striker when required across 2024/2025.