BBC: Talks underway as Arsenal look to secure at least 2 new signings

Managers are making plans ahead to the summer transfer window so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip from around the globe. Today, BBC journalist David Ornstein outlines Arsenal’s transfer plans…

Arsenal are already working hard on their summer transfer business with Unai Emery looking to bring in a new centre-back and box-to-box midfielder, according to BBC journalist David Ornstein.

Emery is expected to continue to overhaul the squad he inherited from Arsene Wenger after a frustrating first season in the Premier League that saw us miss out on the top four by just one point after a disappointing end to the campaign.

The squad needs some major work if we’re to be competing at the top again any time soon but Ornstein – who’s a well respected BBC journalist – claims Arsenal will have just £40m to spend if we fail to qualify for the Champions League.

We’d return to Europe’s elite competition if we beat Chelsea in the Europa League final later this month and being back in the lucrative Champions League would see Emery’s transfer kitty increase ‘significantly’.

However, Arsenal need to plan for the worst case scenario and Ornstein says the club have identified a new centre-back and box-to-box midfielder as the two priority areas that we need to strengthen and talks are already underway ahead of the summer.

Arsenal’s defence has been our Achilles heel once again this season as we conceded a whopping 51 goals in the Premier League. Shkodran Mustafi has been a dreadful signing while Laurent Koscielny is coming to the end of his career so we badly need to strengthen at the back and Ornstein has mentioned Getafe star Djene Dakonam as a potential target.

With Aaron Ramsey joining Juventus on a free transfer this summer Arsenal also need to sign a box-to-box midfielder and the BBC journalist name-dropped PSG duo Christopher Nkunku and Adrien Rabiot as previous targets for the club so we may renew our interest this summer.

However, should Arsenal qualify for the Champions League and have more money available, Ornstein says Emery is also keen to bring in another wide forward to replace Danny Welbeck while another left-back and right-back could also be on the agenda.

Here is a transcript of what Ornstein told BBC Radio 5 Live Sport or you can watch a clip below:

“I don’t think it will be the most spectacular summer for Arsenal but I do think they have some very important business to be done.

“It all depends on their budget. If they’re playing Europa League football next season it looks like it will be around £40m. If it’s Champions League it would be significantly higher. They also have revenue streams coming on board with the new Adidas kit deal.

“If it’s Europa League you’ve got to remember it’ll be their third year in that competition. They’ve also heavily invested in the last year or so, especially in the striking department, and they are adamant they will not break Financial Fair Play.

“Despite still waiting to appoint a technical director, sporting director, director of football, they have identified targets and conversations are underway. They’re looking for experience and youth in their recruitment.

“Their priorities are a central defender, Jeremy Wilson of the Telegraph mentioned the Getafe and Togo centre-half, Djené Dakonam, he’s under contract until 2023 with a reported value of £13.5m.

“The other priority is a box to box midfielder. Previously in January they came close to a deal for Christopher Nkunku from PSG. This is of course is to replace Aaron Ramsey [who is joining Juventus on a free transfer].

“[PSG’s] Adrien Rabiot is among the players they’ve tried to sign in the past and have a long-standing interest in but he’s quite a complex individual and has had some issues off the pitch.

“As a secondary brief they’d be looking at a wide forward. In January they came close to a deal for Ivan Perisic and had interest in Yannick Carrasco.

“Possibly a centre forward with Danny Welbeck leaving. Eddie Nketiah would then go out on loan if they brought a centre forward in.

“There is interest in bringing in a left back and possibly a right back, but again, those are secondary to the central defender and box-to-box midfielder.”

It’s certainly going to be another busy summer at the Emirates but it looks like much will depend on whether we can beat Chelsea in order to secure the huge money that comes with being back in the Champions League next season.

READ MORE –> Arsenal transfer news

I think a new defender, midfielder and winger should be the bare minimum we bring in, irrespective of Champions League football, but it will be tough to do with just £40m so let’s pray we beat Chelsea in Baku on May 29th.

"If Arsenal don't win the Europa League, their budget will be around £40m."@BBCSport_David on the significance of qualifying for the #UCL for Arsenal. pic.twitter.com/nc4GOHGNz6

— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) May 15, 2019