logo
Arteta ready to smash Arsenal transfer budget to sign striker

Arteta ready to smash Arsenal transfer budget to sign striker

The Citizen17-05-2025

Arsenal are believed to have at least £100 million ($132 million) at their disposal for new players.
Mikel Arteta is willing to break Arsenal's transfer budget in a bid to land a star striker to spearhead their Premier League title challenge next season.
Arteta's side have now gone five years without a trophy as they approach the end of a frustrating campaign marred by injuries to key forwards Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus.
ALSO READ: High expectations unfair on new Chelsea, says Maresca
That trio, as well as influential midfielder Martin Odegaard, all missed substantial chunks of the season as Arsenal failed to keep pace with Premier League champions Liverpool before losing the Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain.
A new striker is top of Arteta's wish-list with Havertz, who has not played for almost four months, still the club's top scorer in the league with just nine goals.
Arsenal are believed to have at least £100 million ($132 million) at their disposal for new players and have been linked with RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko, Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres and Newcastle's Alexander Isak.
After failing to lure England striker Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa during the January transfer window, Arteta is willing to do whatever it takes to get a new striker in the summer.
'The thing is that the budget is like when you have your wedding, you plan your wedding with your wife and you give her a budget and never less, and it's always more,' Arteta told reporters on Friday.
'When you build a house it's always more. Normally this happens. And you prepare for different scenarios. Then unfortunate things happen. Sometimes we want a player and suddenly we have an injury or that player gets injured.
'There are so many variables that can happen but there is a budget. There is always an idea of what we can do, what we can improve, what the priorities are going to be and then let's see if we can do it.'
Amid speculation this week that Arteta and Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta, who replaced Edu in March, have disagreed over which striker to pursue, the manager insisted their relationship is fine.
'Well, if that happens, that means that we cannot explain ourselves well enough, and we are not clear enough on what we want, and I guarantee you that hasn't happened,' he said.
'It didn't happen in five and a half years with Edu, and I guarantee you it hasn't happened with Andrea.
'We have learned a lot and some of them (transfers) have worked really well and others have not. So we have to make sure that we make the right calls.
'But we are all human beings and unfortunately, nobody has got a crystal ball here.
'But Andrea is someone who is very driven, very clear in his ideas, in his vision and how we want to achieve it.'
Second-placed Arsenal, who host third-placed Newcastle on Sunday, head into the final two matches of the season needing just two points to be assured of Champions League qualification.
However, with their superior goal difference, one point should be enough for Arsenal to secure a top-five finish.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Superstar announces his move to Kaizer Chiefs?
Superstar announces his move to Kaizer Chiefs?

The South African

time7 hours ago

  • The South African

Superstar announces his move to Kaizer Chiefs?

How many Southern African footballers do you know with almost 2 million Instagram followers? This guy might be heading to Kaizer Chiefs. Feisal Salum is a legit superstar in Tanzania. The Azam FC playmaker knows his way to goal and has been linked with Chiefs for tw years running. 27-year-old Feisal Salum reposted a teammate's story to his own account, where he appears to be lying in a bed wearing a tracksuit top with Chiefs' colours. Make your own mind up about what this means. The player has 1.7 million followers on Instagram, so this is unlikely to quieten the rumours. Salum chipped in with an impressive 19 goals for Azam FC during the 2023-2024 campaign. That followed a glittering spell with Young Africans, where the talented playmaker collected consecutive trebles. A proven winner, Salum has 41 caps and four goals for his nation. The Zanzibar-born star hasn't replicated last season's form for Azam FC this time around. His last goal for the club came back in December 2024, and his side sits third in the Tanzanian Premier League, a massive 16 points adrift of leaders Young Africans. Chiefs complete deal for Monyane Tanzania and Azam FC star Feisal Salum Image via @AzamFC on X Will Chiefs get a deal done for the talented Feisal Salum? Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

Kaizer Chiefs sign Orlando Pirates star on three-year deal
Kaizer Chiefs sign Orlando Pirates star on three-year deal

The South African

time12 hours ago

  • The South African

Kaizer Chiefs sign Orlando Pirates star on three-year deal

Kaizer Chiefs have moved quickly to secure a new player in a problem position before 2024-2025. Here are the details of a signing from Orlando Pirates. Paseka Mako ends his seven-year adventure with Orlando Pirates. The left-back will compete with Bradley Cross and Happy Mashiane for a place. According to FARPost , Paseka Mako has joined Kaizer Chiefs until 2028 after signing a three-year deal. 'The diminutive wingback has agreed to a three-year deal with Kaizer Chiefs, effective July 1.' Like a shortfin Mako shark, Paseka is quick, snappy, compact and aggressive. Mako made 26 appearances in the 2024-2025 season. 2020-2021 was arguably his finest campaign, with four assists in 20 league outings. Meanwhile, 34-year-old Deon Hotto faces an uncertain long-term future. Feisal Salum reposted a teammate's story to his own account, where he appears to be lying in a bed wearing a tracksuit top with Chiefs' colours. Make your own mind up about what this means. The player has 1.7 million followers on Instagram, so this is unlikely to quieten the rumours. Salum chipped in with an impressive 19 goals for Azam FC during the 2023-2024 campaign. That followed a glittering spell with Young Africans, where the talented playmaker collected consecutive trebles. A proven winner, Salum has 41 caps and four goals for his nation. The Zanzibar-born star hasn't replicated last season's form for Azam FC this time around. His last goal for the club came back in December 2024, and his side sits third in the Tanzanian Premier League, a massive 16 points adrift of leaders Young Africans. 'Orlando Pirates are emptying the recycling bin now' Chiefs fans are still basking in the glow of Nedbank Cup success. Photo: Samuel Shivambu – BackpagePix Is Mako a welcome addition to the group? Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

Kaizer Chiefs news: Mako latest, Salum drops a hint
Kaizer Chiefs news: Mako latest, Salum drops a hint

The South African

time16 hours ago

  • The South African

Kaizer Chiefs news: Mako latest, Salum drops a hint

Feisal Salum is the talk of the town. Kaizer Chiefs are keen to sign the Azam FC midfielder, but there are other suitors lurking. Tanzanian star Salum is a big star in his country and has 1.7 million Instagram followers. The goal-scoring midfielder featured for Tanzania in a recent friendly against South Africa. Feisal Salum reposted a teammate's story to his own account, where he appears to be lying in a bed wearing a tracksuit top with Chiefs' colours. Make your own mind up about what this means. The player has 1.7 million followers on Instagram, so this is unlikely to quieten the rumours. Salum chipped in with an impressive 19 goals for Azam FC during the 2023-2024 campaign. That followed a glittering spell with Young Africans, where the talented playmaker collected consecutive trebles. A proven winner, Salum has 41 caps and four goals for his nation. The Zanzibar-born star hasn't replicated last season's form for Azam FC this time around. His last goal for the club came back in December 2024, and his side sits third in the Tanzanian Premier League, a massive 16 points adrift of leaders Young Africans. 'Orlando Pirates are emptying the recycling bin now' In their search for a prolific wide man, Chiefs have reportedly reignited their interest in Polokwane and Bafana star Oswin Appollis. The 23-year-old was in action for South Africa in a 0-0 draw against Tanzania. Appollis is also a target for Pirates. Like a shortfin Mako shark, Paseka is quick, snappy and compact. The nifty left-back made 26 appearances in the 2024-2025 campaign. 2020-2021 was arguably his finest campaign, with four assists in 20 league outings. Meanwhile, 34-year-old Deon Hotto faces an uncertain long-term future. Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store