Arsenal transfers: ‘Powerful’ Arteta offer for 82-goal Prem star fails as star reaches ‘total agreement’ on move to another club
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has suffered a blow after learning a move for one of his top summer targets in Ilkay Gundogan has been rejected – with the Manchester City star now set to announce he’s agreed a move elsewhere.
The Gunners enjoyed an excellent 2022/23 campaign, ultimately finishing second to Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering side. And while there was a massive whiff of disappointment at letting their title chance slip, they can take pride in a brilliant campaign.
With Champions League football achieved – which was always their main aim anyway – Arsenal are putting plans in place to ensure they make further progress next season.
As a result, Arteta and sporting director Edu are working hard on a number of potential summer signings to strengthen their squad.
First up, Arteta is keen to bolster his midfield with the likes of Moises Caicedo, Declan Rice and Gundogan major targets.
A deal for Brighton star Caicedo looks to be edging closer after a significant agreement was reached.
But deals for both Rice and Gundogan are seemingly looking harder to pull off given the latest developments.
As for Rice, Arsenal are just one of several sides looking to persuade him to sign.
And despite prepping a huge offer, they could be beaten to the punch by Bayern Munich. Their coach, Thomas Tuchel, is an enormous fan of Rice’s and is reportedly preparing a £95m offer for his services. That would present the Gunners an obvious problem.
Now it looks like they will also miss out on Gundogan too.
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Arsenal offer fails as Gundogan agrees move elsewhere
The City star has been in imperious form this season, scoring nine times in 49 appearances. The 32-year-old also has six assists to his name, illustrating why he’s one of the Premier League’s best midfielders.
Falling out of contract this summer, Gundogan has been weighing up his future for some time now.
Manchester City are, understandably, desperate for him to stay too, offering him a payrise to cement his future to them.
Sensing an opportunity, Arsenal are reportedly offering what has been described as a ‘powerful financial offer’ for Gundogan this summer.
Arteta knows the 82-goal star well from his time in the north-west and was looking to persuade him to move to Arsenal.
However, Spanish paper Sport now claims Barcelona have won the race for his signature.
They claim they have persuaded Gundogan to move to Catalonia this summer with the offer of a three-year deal.
Claiming the deal is ‘practically finished’, Gundogan will announce his decision after next Saturday’s Champions League final.
And following talks with Xavi and incoming director of football Deco, Gundogan has reached a total agreement on the switch.
They suggest Gundogan could have earned more by moving to Arsenal. However, he’s opting to join the Spanish champions instead on what appears a longer deal.
Tim Sherwood right on Gundogan future
Gundogan’s apparent decision to sign will prove Tim Sherwood right. The former Tottenham boss stated recently that, despite Gundogan’s friendship with Arteta, he could not see the City great agreeing terms with another Premier League side.
Speaking earlier this week, Sherwood said: “Where’s he going to go? I can’t see him playing for another Premier League side.
“I know Mikel Arteta wants to take him, he knows the player inside-out, he’ll fit into anyone’s team.”
Sherwood feels City will carry on regardless without Gundogan next season.
“Man City will be all right without him. They’re not worried about Gundogan,” he added on the No Tippy Tappy podcast.
Gundogan has won five Premier League titles, one FA Cup and four EFL Cups during his seven seasons with City.
He can add to his FA Cup haul later on Saturday against Manchester United at Wembley.
And he’ll hope for the perfect swansong at City by lifting the Champions League for the first time when they face Inter Milan in the Ataturk Stadium on June 10.
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