Transfer Centre

Mikel Arteta delivers update on Arsenal transfers and contract talks

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 04 July 2024

Mikel Arteta is 'hopeful' that Arsenal's transfer activity will begin to "pick up" in the coming weeks and provides an update on his contract situation.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is optimistic that the Gunners' transfer activity will "pick up" in the coming weeks as the North London giants await their first incoming of the summer window.

Arteta and co were condemned to another agonising second-placed Premier League finish behind Manchester City last season, despite taking the fight for the title right up to the final day.

Arsenal's 2023 summer window saw the Gunners make three marquee additions to their squad, bringing in Kai Havertz, Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber in an outlay that cost north of £200m, and the former two became integral players in their debut campaigns.

Twelve months later, and Arsenal have not made a single addition to their squad ahead of the 2024-25 season, even though reinforcements are reportedly being targeted up front, out wide, in midfield and potentially in goal, although David Raya's loan deal from Brentford should be made permanent imminently.

The Gunners are believed to be making progress in talks over a deal for Bologna centre-back Riccardo Calafiori, and Arteta recently spoke to ESPN at length about Arsenal's pursuit of new signings this summer, claiming that he is looking to strengthen in all thirds of the field.

Italy's Riccardo Calafiori on June 24, 2024 [IMAGO] © Imago

Arteta: 'Arsenal have been very aggressive in transfer market'

The Spaniard lamented Euro 2024 and Copa America for hindering Arsenal's activity but also expressed hope that things would soon kick up a gear, saying: "We are looking to improve in every possible department.

"With the new regulations, there are certain things we have to respect and be conscious of and then obviously the Euros and Copa América are slowing everything down. Hopefully now it is going to pick up a little bit."

When asked how active he expects Arsenal to be in the summer window, the Spaniard added: "I think both ways [players coming in and going out of the club]. There are things that we have to improve, that's for sure and we are going to try to.

"But the market is tricky. We have been very aggressive, we are very determined and we have a clear idea obviously of what we want to do. It will come down to finding the right agreements at the right time."

While the likes of Mohamed Elneny, Cedric Soares and Arthur Okonkwo have all departed the club upon the expiry of their contracts, Arteta himself is now in the final 12 months of his deal, and his long-term future has often been a topic of debate.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta pictured on April 20, 2024 © Reuters

Arteta makes firm 'prediction' on new Arsenal deal

It was reported last season by the Spanish media that Arteta was open to leaving Arsenal and succeeding Xavi at Barcelona, claims that were slammed as untrue by the Gunners boss before the Blaugrana hired Hansi Flick.

Barca are still believed to hold an admiration for Arteta, and there has also been talk of the Spaniard returning to Manchester City as the successor to his former mentor Pep Guardiola, thought to be planning to leave the Premier League champions next summer.

However, the Gunners are hoping to agree an extension with Arteta, who stressed that there is no "update" on his situation but insisted that a resolution "will happen", adding: "No, there is no update at the moment.

"The thing that hasn't changed is how happy I am and how valued I feel here and how much I love representing this club. Things happen in a natural way and our relationship is that good that I don't predict any issues happening. But things have to develop in the right way and it will happen."

Arsenal kick off their pre-season campaign against Bournemouth in the United States on July 24, before also meeting Manchester United (July 27) and Liverpool (July 31) in North America.

The Gunners then return home to face Bayer Leverkusen on August 7, four days before taking on Lyon in the Emirates Cup, and their Premier League campaign begins at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers on August 17.