Arsenal are looking to strengthen in three positions over the summer transfer window, but whether they can do so will largely depend on sales.

Answering questions in a Q&A on The Athletic, David Ornstein claimed Arsenal are mainly looking to strengthen in three positions this summer: central defence, holding midfield and attack. However, who they bring in will depend on sales.

Ornstein lists Mari, Soares, Mustafi, Xhaka, Torreira, Aubameyang and Lacazette among those who could affect purchases. Obviously, Mari and Soares are currently on loan with options to buy, so taking them up or not will affect Arsenal’s summer requirements.

As for the rest, they’re all decent-to-high value players the media have linked with moves in recent months. If a few of them leave, that simultaneously increases Arsenal’s budget and their need to make signings. In that case, transfers seem much more likely.

Ornstein confirms Dayot Upamecano was previously a target for Arsenal, and Huss Fahmy went over to Leipzig in early 2019 to hold talks. But it’s not clear whether the Gunners are still after him now.

Arsenal also reportedly looked at Ruben Dias, Akanji, Tarkowski and Caceres on a free last summer, before signing David Luiz. It’s always possible they go back in for one of them.

There are plenty of reports flying around about centre-backs at the moment. Expect the holding midfield and forward rumours to pick up after the season ends.