Mikel Arteta and new transfer chief in agreement on Arsenal’s first summer signing

Arsenal could be a busy club during the summer transfer window as new transfer chief Andrea Berta gets to work on identifying targets to improve Mikel Arteta’s squad

Arsenal transfer chief Andrea Berta shares Mikel Arteta’s views on Gunners transfer target Martin Zubimendi, it has been claimed. Real Sociedad star Zubimendi, who turned down a move to Liverpool last summer, could find himself reunited with former team-mates Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino in North London.

Arsenal remain confident of getting a deal over the line for the Spain international, who is expecred to cost them a fee in the region of £52million. Real Madrid are also keen, though, and could have former La Real favourite Xabi Alonso in charge next term.

According to ESPN, both Arteta and Berta are fans of Zubimendi. Berta is said to have been convinced that the 26-year-old can strengthen a midfield which could lose two senior players in the summer.

Jorginho is expected to join Flamengo over the summer, while Thomas Partey’s future is uncertain. Arsenal are believed to have opened talks over a new deal for the Ghanaian, but his current contract expires in June and he could yet leave for nothing.

Berta joined United after the January transfer window, arriving as a permanent successor to Edu after the Brazilian made a surprise exit late last year. And a move for Zubimendi could end up being the first of many pieces of business in his first window.

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More immediately, Arsenal could find themselves light in midfield for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain. Partey is suspended after his late yellow card away to Real Madrid, while Merino is a doubt after missing out during the midweek league draw against Crystal Palace.

Merino was joined on the sidelines by Ben White, who only recently returned after surgery. “If they could, they would have been [involved] but they are not fit,” Arteta said before the Palace game.

Arsenal already know they can’t match last season’s points tally, while title rivals Liverpool will be crowned champions on Sunday if they avoid defeat against Tottenham. A new striker could be another priority, with Gabriel Jesus unlikely to be back in time for the start of next season after ACL surgery, but Arteta recognised there were more problems on show when his team twice threw away the lead against Oliver Glasner’s Eagles.

“We are disappointed with the result and performance,” the Spaniard told Sky Sports. “We didn’t find enough consistency in actions to dominate the game. It’s part of football and cost us two points.

“It can be difficult. In many aspects of the game we should have done better today. We require the consistency. Today they were very organised and deserved credit. We have to do much better.

“[Mistakes] cost you points. It’s part of football. We have the most important game of the season in six days. We need to get our energy back.”

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