Arteta to Sell £75m Arsenal Trio to Fund Dutch Defensive Star Signing

Mikel Arteta is set to overhaul Arsenal’s defense, with reports indicating that three players will be sold to make way for an Eredivisie star.

Despite a strong 2023-24 season, where Arsenal secured 89 points and 28 wins out of 38 Premier League games, they fell short of clinching the title, finishing two points behind Manchester City. Additionally, their Champions League aspirations were cut short in the quarter-finals by Bayern Munich. While Arteta was pleased with the overall performance, the lack of major silverware was a disappointment.

To address this, Arteta and sporting director Edu are planning a significant summer overhaul to further strengthen the squad and compete with top European clubs like Real Madrid, City, and Bayern.

Defensive Revamp

According to Spanish reports, Arteta aims to revamp the left-back position, starting with the departures of Kieran Tierney, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Jakub Kiwior.

Kieran Tierney

Tierney, who joined Arsenal for £25 million in August 2019, spent last season on loan at Real Sociedad and is expected to leave permanently. He has admitted it is likely he will depart, with Aston Villa reportedly interested.

Oleksandr Zinchenko

Zinchenko could also be on his way out. Despite a strong debut season after his £30 million move from Manchester City, his form dipped last season. Bayern Munich has been linked with him, although they are more likely to extend Alphonso Davies’ contract.

Jakub Kiwior

Kiwior, who joined Arsenal in January 2023 for £20 million, is another potential departure. Arteta sees this summer as the right time to sell, with AC Milan showing interest.

Reinforcements

Despite these departures, Arteta has options. Takehiro Tomiyasu can play at left-back, and the versatile Jurrien Timber is back from injury.

Additionally, Arsenal is targeting Ajax starlet Jorrel Hato. The 18-year-old, who can play both as a center-back and left-back, has top-flight and Europa League experience and is seen as one of the best young defenders in the Netherlands.

Hato, under contract with Ajax until June 2028, will command a significant fee. However, his potential makes him a worthwhile investment for Arsenal’s future.

By reshaping the defense and bringing in emerging talents like Hato, Arteta aims to strengthen the squad and position Arsenal for greater success in the upcoming seasons.