Three Arsenal targets part of 10-player Real Madrid ‘exit operation’ in boost to Arteta’s transfer plans
Three Arsenal targets are surplus to requirements at Real Madrid ahead of the summer transfer window, according to reports in Spain.
Mikel Arteta is looking to bring in a number of new players at the end of the season with his side set to finish second in the Premier League.
Despite the fact the Gunners have fallen away during the title race run-in, it has been a memorable campaign and fans should be excited to see their team back in the Champions League in 2023/24.
Arteta is expected to sign at least one midfielder this summer, though it would not be a surprise to see him bring in two.
A new defender, whether it be a right-back or centre-back, is also on the agenda, and Kieran Tierney’s uncertain future could see a left-back come in as well.
One left-sided defender Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing is Real Madrid’s Ferland Mendy, who is very two-footed and could easily fill in on the right.
A recent report from the Mirror stated that Mendy could be available for as little as £17.5million in the summer with Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti happy to sell the Frenchman.
And according to Sport (via Fichajes), Mendy is one of ten players Los Blancos want to get rid of at the end of the season.
There is not much said about the individual situations of the players, just that the Spanish giants want to let them leave in order to raise funds for their own transfer targets.
As well as Mendy, it is said that Eden Hazard and Marco Asensio are also available. Both players have been linked with Arsenal over the last year or so.
The signing of Hazard seems extremely unrealistic given his age, form in recent years, and injury record, but a move for Asensio makes perfect sense.
The Spanish international is available on a free transfer in the summer and would bring a wealth of trophy-winning experience to the Emirates.
Arteta could do with signing another attacker and given the fact Asensio would not demand a transfer fee, this is a sensible deal to make, as long as he does not ask to be one of the Gunners’ highest earners, which as a free agent, he probably will.
Asensio is being linked with a move to Aston Villa as Unai Emery prepares for a huge summer window.
Former Arsenal loanee Dani Ceballos is also out of contract in June and it is claimed by Sport that Madrid do not intend to extend his deal.
The other soon-to-be free agent expected to depart is striker Mariano Diaz, who surely won’t land at an English team.
Los Blancos will also ‘look for the exits’ of Lucas Vazquez, Andriy Lunin, Jesus Vallejo and Alvaro Odriozola in what is being described as an ‘exit operation with ten casualties’.
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