Arsenal and new sporting director Andrea Berta are prepared to offer Barcelona around £65 million for one of their “key” players this summer, according to a report this week.
Arsenal play Real Madrid in crucial Champions League quarter-final
Following on from their historic 3-0 triumph over Real Madrid at the Emirates Stadium last Tuesday, the Gunners travel to Spain for their Champions League quarter-final second leg against Carlo Ancelotti’s side this week.
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The Gunners are switching to a different option.
Two stunning Declan Rice free-kicks and a Mikel Merino goal helped Arsenal plant one foot in the next round, and if they do get past Real on Wednesday, it’ll be their first time in the semi-finals of Europe’s most prestigious competition since the 2008/2009 season.
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Arsenal’s next five Premier League games |
Date |
|---|---|
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Ipswich Town (away) |
April 20th |
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Crystal Palace (home) |
April 23rd |
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Bournemouth (home) |
May 3rd |
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Liverpool (away) |
May 11th |
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Newcastle United (home) |
May 18th |
After surrendering the Premier League title to Liverpool, with nothing to play for domestically, Mikel Arteta has a golden chance to make history and potentially go on to win Arsenal their first ever Champions League crown.
If the north Londoners end this season on that major high, it could also have a very positive effect when it comes to attracting their key summer transfer targets.
Arsenal targeting new forwards and defender this summer
Arsenal are now believed to be contending for Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman as a serious option to bolster their wide area (Florian Plettenberg), while Berta is also targeting a prolific striker and defender.
Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen’s agents are reported to have held recent talks with Arsenal, as well as Tottenham (David Ornstein), with both Arteta and Berta said to be huge fans of the Spaniard.
His contract includes a £50 million release clause which will be active this summer, following a very impressive 2024/2025 campaign, where he’s played a starring role for Bournemouth at just 20-years-old.
However, the competition for Huijsen’s signature will be fierce, meaning Arsenal are also looking at alternatives.
Arsenal prepared to offer £65 million for Barcelona defender Jules Kounde
According to reports out of Spain, one of them is Barcelona star Jules Kounde. The France international’s started 28 La Liga matches for Hansi Flick this season, impressing in a right-back role whilst also making 49 appearances in all competitions.
Kounde’s bagged eight assists in that time, including three in one Champions League game against Red Bull Salzburg, which are very impressive numbers for a defender.
It is clear to see why Arteta and Berta could be attracted to the 26-year-old, and it is now believed that Arsenal are prepared to offer around £65 million for Kounde this summer as the club seek to add more defensive quality.
While Barca have no desire to sell him, which is very understandable given his status as a “key” man and one of La Liga’s “standout players”, as per this report from Spain, the Catalans could still be forced to consider significant offers due to their precarious financial situation.
“It’s unbelievable,” said Flick about Kounde this season, showering him with praise.
“I have never experienced this before. After the match, he wants to train. He is a great professional and takes excellent care of his physical condition. In every training session, he wants to give it his all. This attitude is not common, but it’s very good.”
