Arsenal face ‘problem’ in race for defender as ‘£43m price tag’ for transfer target emerges

Arsenal have now begun their pre-season with Mikel Arteta and his men already back at London Colney.

The Gunners will return to Europe this season, and they will be looking to go one better than the last campaign in the race for Champions League football.

Arsenal will be helped by the signing of Gabriel Jesus, who has joined on a big-money deal from Manchester City.

Meanwhile, Fabio Vieira, Marquinhos and Matt Turner have also signed up, and we could yet see more arrivals by the time the deadline comes around.

Here we round up all the latest transfer news and rumours surrounding the Gunners.

Raphinha latest

It emerged earlier this week that Chelsea had taken pole position in the race to sign Raphinha, and there has been a fresh update.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the Blues will meet with the winger’s agent Deco today (Thursday) in a bid to wrap up the deal after agreeing a £55million fee with Leeds United.

Arsenal need to act quickly if they want any chance of completing a deal.

Martinez race

Arsenal could also be set to miss out on another target in Ajax star Lisandro Martinez.

The centre-back is said to be the subject of an offer from the Gunners, but according to 90min, Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has made the Argentine his ‘primary target’.

It’s no secret United want a centre-back this summer, and once again, Arsenal will have to move quickly to secure Martinez this summer.

Bremer interest

Fortunately, there may be an alternative to Martinez in the offing, with Arsenal reportedly eyeing Torino defender Gleison Bremer.

Fichajes claim Arteta is keen on the centre-back and that Arsenal are in the race to complete a deal, with Chelsea and Tottenham also interested.

It’s suggested that Torino want as much as £43m for their prize defender this summer.