Transfer Centre

Arsenal 'want to complete £70m double deal next week'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 19 June 2022

Arsenal reportedly hope to pull off a £70m double swoop for Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez and Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus next week.

Arsenal are reportedly hopeful of completing a double £70m swoop for Lisandro Martinez and Gabriel Jesus next week.

The Gunners have been rather quiet in the summer transfer window so far and have only announced one new arrival, with Marquinhos joining from Sao Paulo for a £3m fee.

A deal for Porto's Fabio Vieira has been agreed, though, and Arsenal could very well confirm the 22-year-old's signing early next week alongside Matt Turner after he completed his medical and signed terms on a five-year deal.

Mohamed Elneny and Eddie Nketiah have both committed themselves to new contracts, while Alexandre Lacazette left on a free transfer to rejoin Lyon, and Mikel Arteta should oversee some more new arrivals ahead of the 2022-23 season.

According to the Daily Mail, the North London club could end up £70m worse off next week as they hope to complete deals for Ajax defender Martinez and Manchester City striker Jesus.

Brazil's Gabriel Jesus pictured on October 10, 2021 © Reuters

The report adds that Arsenal have already seen a £35m bid for Jesus rejected by the Premier League champions, who are instead holding firm on their £50m asking price for the 25-year-old.

However, Arsenal are still optimistic that they can drive the price down, with Jesus out of contract in 2023 and facing greater competition from Julian Alvarez and Erling Braut Haaland.

Chelsea, Juventus and Tottenham Hotspur have also been credited with an interest in Jesus, though, and Arsenal do not have the advantage of Champions League football in negotiations.

Jesus ended the 2021-22 season with 13 goals and 12 assists to his name from 41 appearances in all competitions and won his fourth Premier League title after providing 17 direct contributions in 28 top-flight matches.

Champions League football is not thought to be a necessity for Jesus, who is keen to establish himself as the leading centre-forward at his next club.

Lisandro Martinez warms up for Ajax on December 9, 2020 © Reuters

Meanwhile, Arsenal have emerged as candidates for 24-year-old Martinez in recent days, with Arteta still seeking to bolster his defensive ranks further ahead of William Saliba's return from Marseille.

Martinez scored one goal and set up four more in 36 matches for Ajax last season, and he has unsurprisingly been linked with a reunion with Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.

Ajax are reportedly after a fee of £30m for the Argentina international, whose contract in Amsterdam does not run out until 2025, but he is said to be keen on a move to North London.

The Gunners also remain interested in a deal for Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans, and Roma striker Tammy Abraham is still thought to be on their radar.

In terms of outgoings, the likes of Nicolas Pepe, Bernd Leno, Pablo Mari, Hector Bellerin, Lucas Torreira, Hector Bellerin and Runar Alex Runarsson are all expected to leave, while Granit Xhaka's future is still shrouded in uncertainty.