Talks underway and targets revealed as Arsenal look to sign at least 2 key players

Managers are working hard trying to strengthen their squads during the summer transfer window so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip from around the globe. Today, Arsenal are gearing-up for a busy summer…

Arsenal are gearing-up for a busy summer in the transfer market with Unai Emery eyeing moves for Ryan Fraser and Djene Dakonam while talks have also been held for James Maddison, according to the Daily Mail.

Emery knows his squad needs major work after we finished fifth in the Premier League table following a disastrous end to the campaign while we were thrashed 4-1 by Chelsea in the Europa League final on Wednesday night.

Missing out on Champions League qualification is going to be costly as the Daily Mail says Emery’s transfer budget has now been cut from £90m to £45m and we’ve been forced to shelve any plans to sign £80m-rated Crystal Palace attacker Wilfried Zaha.

No Champions League football and a tight budget means Emery is going to have to work to sign cheaper alternative targets and the newspaper says Arsenal are now eyeing a swoop for Bournemouth winger Ryan Fraser instead.

The 25-year-old has just come off the back of an excellent campaign that saw him provide 8 goals and 15 assists in all competitions and the Daily Mail says the winger will be available for £30m as he has just one year remaining on his contract.

Arsenal also desperately need to strengthen in defence after shipping 51 league goals this season and the newspaper says we’re targetting Getafe centre-back Djene Dakonam after being priced out of a move for Dayot Upamecano. The Mail says Arsenal held talks to sign the 20-year-old but any deal for Upamecano looks unlikely without Champions League football as he’s valued at £65m by RB Leipzig.

Dakonam is a more realistic target though and Shkodran Mustafi could leave to make room if a suitable offer arrives after another disappointing season in north London while Laurent Koscielny’s future is in question as he has just one year left on his contract and no extension has been put on the table yet.

Signing a winger and a centre-back would solve two key areas that need strengthening and it looks like Fraser and Dakonam are prime targets for Emery with the pair attainable at reasonable transfer fees.

However, Arsenal also need to sign a replacement for Aaron Ramsey and the Daily Mail says we’ve held talks with Leicester over James Maddison and the attacking midfielder is open to the idea of moving to the Emirates.

But once again, a deal is going to prove difficult due to our strict budget as the report says Leicester want £60m and Arsenal are unlikely to be able to afford Maddison unless we can raise extra funds by selling off unwanted players. Mesut Ozil and Henrikh Mkhitaryan would be available for sale but it won’t be easy finding clubs who’ll match their current wages.

READ MORE–> Arsenal transfer news

It’s certainly going to be an interesting summer at Arsenal and a lot of work needs to be done if we’re to be serious challengers again but unfortunately Emery will be working on a limited budget after failing to secure the riches of Champions League football.