Arsenal target Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, Ferran Torres, and more in ambitious summer transfer window spree to boost their squad.

  • LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 22: Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace passes the ball during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Everton FC at Selhurst Park on April 22, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
    LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 22: Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace passes the ball during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Everton FC at Selhurst Park on April 22, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

    Arsenal are targeting high-profile players such as Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, and Ferran Torres in the summer transfer window.

  • The Gunners are also eyeing promising youngsters, including Ivan Fresneda, Devyne Rensch, Adam Wharton, and Romeo Lavia.
  • Mikel Arteta aims to strengthen the squad in various positions and is also considering options like Moussa Diaby, Wilfried Zaha, and Marc Guehi.

With the summer transfer window fast approaching, Arsenal have set their sights on an ambitious recruitment drive to boost their squad and keep themselves in contention for top honours, although if they sign even half the players they’ve been linked with, they’ll end up with more than Chelsea.

Midfield targets

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: Declan Rice of West Ham United looks on as they walk out of the tunnel prior to the Premier League match between West Ham United and Liverpool FC at London Stadium on April 26, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 26: Declan Rice of West Ham United looks on as they walk out of the tunnel prior to the Premier League match between West Ham United and Liverpool FC at London Stadium on April 26, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Arsenal are said to be confident that they can lure English midfielder Declan Rice to North London, offering a salary four times his current earnings at West Ham.

The move would see Rice’s weekly wage skyrocket to nearly £240,000 from his current £60,000. As a dynamic and versatile player, Rice would be a welcome addition to Mikel Arteta’s midfield.

In the pursuit of further midfield reinforcements, Arsenal are also said to be leading the race for Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi.

BARCELONA, SPAIN - JANUARY 25: Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad reacts during the Copa Del Rey Quarter Final match between FC Barcelona and Real Sociedad at Spotify Camp Nou on January 25, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN – JANUARY 25: Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad reacts during the Copa Del Rey Quarter Final match between FC Barcelona and Real Sociedad at Spotify Camp Nou on January 25, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

The Spanish midfielder has attracted interest from several top European clubs, including Barcelona and Chelsea, but recent reports suggest that the Gunners are on the brink of announcing his signing.

Arsenal are also reportedly among the top clubs vying for the signature of Blackburn Rovers’ teenage sensation, Adam Wharton. The 18-year-old midfielder, likened to a taller Jack Wilshere, has turned heads with his impressive performances, sparking interest from Newcastle United, Leicester, Tottenham, and West Ham.

Attacking targets

Spain's forward Ferran Torres (L) celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group E football match between Spain and Costa Rica at the Al-Thumama Stadium in Doha on November 23, 2022. (Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)
Spain’s forward Ferran Torres (L) celebrates scoring his team’s fourth goal during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group E football match between Spain and Costa Rica at the Al-Thumama Stadium in Doha on November 23, 2022. (Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)

In their search for attacking options, Arsenal have reportedly turned their attention to Barcelona’s Ferran Torres.

The 23-year-old winger has struggled for consistent playing time at Camp Nou, but a move to Arsenal could reignite his career.

The Gunners face competition from Aston Villa, but Torres is reportedly open to a transfer, pending Barcelona’s decision on his future.

Defensive targets

VALLADOLID, SPAIN - MARCH 17: Nico Williams of Athletic Club and Ivan Fresneda of Real Valladolid CF battle for the ball during the LaLiga Santander match between Real Valladolid CF and Athletic Club at Estadio Municipal Jose Zorrilla on March 17, 2023 in Valladolid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
VALLADOLID, SPAIN – MARCH 17: Nico Williams of Athletic Club and Ivan Fresneda of Real Valladolid CF battle for the ball during the LaLiga Santander match between Real Valladolid CF and Athletic Club at Estadio Municipal Jose Zorrilla on March 17, 2023 in Valladolid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Defensively, Arsenal are exploring options to strengthen their right-back position. Real Valladolid’s Ivan Fresneda and Ajax’s Devyne Rensch have both emerged as potential targets.

Fresneda, a highly-rated youngster with a €20 million release clause, has attracted interest from AC Milan and Newcastle United, while Rensch’s versatility and potential have caught Arsenal’s eye despite competition from Brighton and Sevilla.

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS: Devyne Rensch of Ajax in action during the UEFA Champions League group A match between AFC Ajax and SSC Napoli at Johan Cruyff Arena on October 04, 2022. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS: Devyne Rensch of Ajax in action during the UEFA Champions League group A match between AFC Ajax and SSC Napoli at Johan Cruyff Arena on October 04, 2022. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

Blackburn are keen on retaining Wharton until he reaches around 100 appearances, but this hasn’t deterred Arsenal and other Premier League clubs from monitoring his progress.

BLACKBURN, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 22: Adam Wharton of Blackburn Rovers celebrates after scoring their side's second goal during the Sky Bet Championship between Blackburn Rovers and Birmingham City at Ewood Park on October 22, 2022 in Blackburn, England. (Photo by Cameron Smith/Getty Images)
BLACKBURN, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 22: Adam Wharton of Blackburn Rovers celebrates after scoring their side’s second goal during the Sky Bet Championship between Blackburn Rovers and Birmingham City at Ewood Park on October 22, 2022 in Blackburn, England. (Photo by Cameron Smith/Getty Images)

As the transfer season approaches, Arsenal’s interest in Wharton signals their intent to invest in young, promising talent.

Other potential transfer targets on Arsenal’s radar include Bayer Leverkusen’s Moussa Diaby, Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha and Marc Guehi, and Southampton’s Romeo Lavia.

With plans to bring in no less than four reinforcements, it’s clear that Arsenal are gearing up for an ambitious summer of activity.

If successful in their pursuits, the Gunners could emerge as serious contenders in the 2023/24 season, reinvigorating their fan base and challenging for top honours once again.