Confirmed Transfer Targets as Mikel Arteta Faces Manchester United Injury Concerns
Arsenal has two Premier League matches remaining in their bid to become champions and will next face Manchester United as they look to secure the perfect finish to the 2023/24 season.
Arsenal have less than 14 days to find out whether they are Premier League champions.
They must be flawless to finish the season and defeat Manchester United and Everton, capping off an impressive year. Unfortunately for Mikel Arteta and co., Manchester City have a game in hand and can still overtake the Gunners at the top of the table.
Arsenal’s rivals play first this weekend, and they will hope to pile on the pressure with a win over Fulham. It makes little difference to the north London team, which understands that only wins are important right now.
Transfer hint
Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres has hinted that he may leave the club after helping his team win the Portuguese title.
Gyokeres has thrived since his £17 million move from Coventry last summer, scoring 27 goals in 31 league games and providing 10 assists. The Sweden international has many admirers, including Arsenal, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain.
Sporting are said to be only willing to sell him for his €100 million (£86 million) release clause, but the forward admitted he couldn’t promise to stay in Portugal’s capital.
“It’s football, I can’t promise anything,” Gyokeres said, “I have a contract and I won’t be sad if I stay, I’m very happy, but we’ll see what happens. We can’t predict much, but let’s see what next year will be like, we still have games this season.”
Injury Worry
Takehiro Tomiyasu’s availability for Arsenal’s match at Old Trafford this weekend is uncertain due to an injury.
Arsenal’s training footage from Tuesday did not show the defender at London Colney. The Japan international played 90 minutes in Arsenal’s comfortable victory over Bournemouth, but he was not spotted with his teammates in preparation for Manchester United.
Bukayo Saka was present during the session, but he had strapping across his leg. The winger cut his shin against the Cherries but has remained in training since being substituted at the Emirates as Arsenal cruised to victory.
Jurrien Timber’s comeback continued, and he could still be part of a matchday squad before the season ends. The Dutchman completed minutes for the under-21 team after picking up an injury on the opening day of the Premier League season but missed out on the squad for Bournemouth.
Two targets are ‘confirmed’
Despite having the best defence in the Premier League, Arsenal are looking to strengthen their backline. According to LondonWorld, two shortlisted players have been ‘confirmed’: Ajax’s Jorred Hato and Nice central defender Jean-Clair Todibo.
Hato, 18, has been a consistent star for the Dutch giants during a difficult season and can play left-back, a position that the Gunners have struggled with. The youngster joined the team a year ago and has since made 45 appearances this season.
Arsenal may face stiff competition for Todibo, who has already been linked to Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea. A fee of £40 million has been suggested for the Frenchman, who could depart Nice this summer.
