Arsenal pick new "priority" £40m forward signing likened to Kvaratskhelia

Arsenal and sporting director Andrea Berta have identified a new “priority” forward target for manager Mikel Arteta, following an excellent run of form since the turn of the year, and his current club are apparently resigned to losing him.

Arsenal exploring summer deals for attackers

As widely reported, a key item on Berta’s agenda this summer is bringing in new attackers, both out wide and at centre-forward.

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The Italian will have a big warchest to reinvest into Arsenal’s squad.

Bukayo Saka was sorely missed during his lengthy absence, which occurred thanks to a serious hamstring injury, while uncertainty surrounds the future of Leandro Trossard as he fast approaches the final season of his contract at Arsenal.

GiveMeSport claim Arsenal could bring in a star alternative to Saka on the right-flank and a left-winger to cover the likes of Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli. A top target for the wide area is Athletic Bilbao starlet Nico Williams, who’s been heavily linked in the last seven days, following credible reports that Berta held talks with his representatives recently.

Williams will command huge wages of around £250,000-per-week to potentially join Arsenal, though, so Berta will be looking at other options as well, with there being no guarantee that the Spain international does end up completing a move to N5.

As well as a winger, Arsenal are firmly in the market for a new striker, and it is believed Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres has shot up to the very top of their wishlist quite recently.

According to reports in Portugal this week, Arsenal are preparing to make an offer for Gyokeres before the end of 2024/2025, so the Swede’s potential Premier League move could finally be on the cards after two sensational campaigns in the Primeira Liga.

In terms of a stand-in or competitor for Saka out wide, the Gunners have also been surprisingly linked with £200,000-per-week Man United outcast Antony recently, following his rejuvenated spell out on loan at Real Betis.

Arsenal identify Man United forward Antony as “priority” target

The Brazilian has racked up two goals and two assists over his last nine La Liga games for Betis, finding his feet quickly in Spain under Manuel Pellegrini since joining in January, and his 2025 performances haven’t gone unnoticed at Arsenal.

According to Spanish media sources, Arsenal have shortlisted Antony as a new “priority” target, and Betis appear resigned to losing the 25-year-old after his loan spell considering this competition from the Premier League.

The winger would be open to extending his Betis stay, according to this report, but all signs point towards him returning to Old Trafford or finding a new landing spot before the beginning of 2025/2026.

His rumoured price tag is set at around £40 million, which is seen as more realistic after his excellent loan at Betis, so he would be a fairly cheap option, discounting Antony’s wages.

He’s also been likened in playing style to PSG star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but following his lacklustre time in England, this move would be considered a huge gamble.