Arsenal in ‘advanced negotiations’ for Raphinha transfer as Gabriel Jesus set for medical

Arsenal’s summer transfer window is starting to seriously heat up as the Gunners aim to bolster their ranks ahead of a busy 2022/23 campaign.

Mikel Arteta’s side will be back in European competition in the form of the UEFA Europa League but will be aiming to go one better in the Premier League by breaking into the top four and gaining qualification to the Champions League.

To do that they’ll need a squad capable of dealing with the rigours of playing up to three matches in a week, which is why sporting director Edu has been busy trying to improve Arteta’s team with several new additions. Already the club have brought in 19-year-old winger Marquinhos from Sao Paulo and central midfielder Fabio Vieira from Porto, with the latter arriving at a cost of around £34million.

READ MORE: The major Eddie Nketiah claim that makes Gabriel Jesus transfer a necessity for Arsenal

New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Turner is expected to be the next name announced through the door at the Emirates, but who will join the trio as the summer window progresses? Below, football.london brings you all the latest transfer rumours as the window is starting to heat up for Arsenal.

Gabriel Jesus

An agreement has been made in principle between Manchester City and Arsenal for the £45million transfer of Gabriel Jesus. The striker will still have to agree to personal terms and complete a medical with the Gunners, but it seems like the green light has been signalled for Mikel Arteta to add the Brazilian to his ranks ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

A striker was high on the list of priorities heading into the summer transfer window following the departures of both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in January and Alexandre Lacazette upon the expiry of his contract, with Jesus looking like the player to fill the hole left by the pair alongside the returning Eddie Nketiah.

It now seems a matter of ‘when’ rather than ‘if’ Jesus will become an Arsenal player, with Gunners fans desperate to see the 25-year-old in red next season following some late reported interest from other suitors including north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

Raphinha

While Arsenal are reportedly deep into negotiations for Jesus, talks over another big-money move for his Brazilian compatriot Raphinha are also said to be ongoing. The wide man has had a hefty price tag put on his shoulders by Leeds, though according to Twitter user @ConMarbleHalls , host of Arsenal podcast The Marble Halls Show. The Gunners are in advanced negotiations for his signing.

They wrote on Twitter: “Exclusive. Arsenal are in advanced negotiations with Leeds United for the transfer of Raphinha. Talks yesterday went well between clubs close to finding total agreement for add-ons to get close to Leeds valuation. Personal terms agreed with player. Getting close.”

Barcelona are also interested in a move for Raphinha and the Brazilian is reportedly keen to move to Spain with the Catalan giants, though the club are currently short on cash which could price them out of a deal. Spanish journalist Ruben Uria has claimed that Barca have ‘disappeared’ from the race to sign the Brazilian as a result.

Lisandro Martinez

Cover in defence was always going to be an important area for Arteta and Edu to address in this transfer window, especially given the extra strains that Europa League football will put on Arsenal’s small squad next season. To that end, Ajax’s Lisandro Martinez has been suggested as a potential arrival.

The Gunners face competition for the Argentian international’s signature from Manchester United but have reportedly already tabled a £25million bid for the defender which was rejected by Ajax. According to the Athletic, the Gunners will not be put off by this though and will continue in their pursuit to bring him to the Emirates next season.

Martinez made 36 appearances for the Eredivisie champions last season, with eight of those coming in the Champions League as Ajax were knocked out in the round of 16 by Benfica. If the centre-back were to switch Amsterdam for London this summer it would likely spell the end for Nuno Tavares after the young full-back struggled during his debut campaign in England.

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