Arsenal sign £68m ace, £51m midfielder & Sporting CP duo in starting XI next season if rumours are true

After missing out on the Premier League title and a place in the Champions League final, the planning for next season has already begun at Arsenal.

The Gunners face Newcastle United and Southampton in their final two games of the campaign as they look to seal their place in the top five and next season’s Champions League.

With Andrea Berta arriving as sporting director at the Emirates Stadium, the work is already underway to improve Mikel Arteta’s squad. The most important piece of business is securing a an out-and-out striker, with the Gunners to finally set address a shortcoming in their squad that has persisted for a number of years.

Other areas of the pitch need improvement as several players are poised to leave the club at the end of the season - and most of those stars will need replaced during the transfer window. As Arsenal continue to be linked with a number of stars, we look at how they could line-up next campaign if the transfer rumours come true.

Goalkeeper and defence

David Raya will take some displacing as first-choice goalkeeper. The Spaniard has arguably had his best season in an Arsenal shirt with a number of jaw-dropping saves at different points in the campaign.

Arsenal’s defence does not need much work but there is the slight fear that Real Madrid could make their move for William Saliba, with reports from Spain claiming the La Liga giants have set aside a big fee to try and sign the Frenchman. The Gunners have been linked with a move for Sporting CP ace Ousmane Diomande, who could succeed Saliba at the Emirates Stadium if an unthinkable move to Madrid occurred.

Diomande has a release clause of £67m in his contract. Even if Saliba remains, Jakub Kiwior is linked with a departure and Diomande could arrive to help sure up Arteta’s options at centre-back. They have also been linked to Dean Huijsen but he prefers a move to Real Madrid.

Midfield and attack

Martin Zubimendi has been linked with a move to Arsenal since January. He has a £51m release clause in his contract at Real Sociedad with reports last week from Fabrizio Romano that the Gunners have now agreed a deal to sign the Spaniard. He is said to have verbally agreed a long-term contract.

Arsenal’s other changes to their squad are likely to come in their attack. One player linked is Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze, who can play in attacking midfield as well as out on the left. He is also attracting attention from Tottenham Hotspur. He has a £68m release clause but his versatility could prove invaluable to Arteta. Bukayo Saka will continue to form a key part of the Gunners forward line.

The final piece of the puzzle for Arteta is a striker, and the name that appears most likely to head to North London is Sporting CP superstar Viktor Gyökeres. The former Coventry City ace has netted a stunning 52 goals this season. He has showcased those talents in the Champions League and looks ready to make the step up.

Arsenal’s starting XI next season if transfer rumours are true: Raya; Timber, Gabriel, Diomande, Lewis-Skelly; Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard; Eze, Saka, Gyokeres.