Arsenal Transfer News: Latest on Gabriel Jesus, Lisandro Martinez, and other summer 2022 window player signings, loans & deals

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Two defeats in their final three Premier League games of 2021/22 meant Arsenal fell short of Champions League qualification, returning to Europe after a season away by earning a place in the UEFA Europa League.

Manager Mikel Arteta signed a new contract during the final weeks of the season and is certain to reinforce his squad in a bid to ensure the progress that earned them fifth spot is not lost in 2022/23.

Arsenal’s failure to finish in the top four could prove a major blow to Arteta’s ambitions of signing star names accustomed to playing Champions League football on a regular basis.

Arteta has lost goals and experience as Arsenal could not agree a new contract with Alexandre Lacazette, although academy product Eddie Nketiah has agreed to fresh terms after scoring five goals in seven starts at the end of the season.

The Sporting News is rounding up the key updates — all day, every day — below. 

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Latest Arsenal transfer news

Last update: Jun 21, 17:20 ET / 22:20 BST 

Gunners submit bid for Raphinha

Leeds winger Raphinha is a wanted man this summer, and while most of the noise around his possible departure from Elland Road has centered around a move to Barcelona, a new player has entered the arena.

According to David Ornstein of The Athletic on June 21, Arsenal have submitted a bid for the Brazilian, and while the amount of the bid was not named, it’s expected to be below Leeds’ valuation of the player and thus rejected.

The report states that Leeds do not wish to stand in the way of Raphinha’s exit, but must secure a fair compensation to allow him to leave. His contract expires in the summer of 2024 and the club does not anticipate him signing an extension.

Arsenal in pole position for Gabriel Jesus, offering hefty wages

Mikel Arteta is in “pole position” to sign Man City’s Gabriel Jesus, according to a report by James Ducker of The Telegraph on June 16, with ESPN echoing the same. The Gunners are chasing Jesus and links have reached the next stage of the process.

Ducker’s report states City have seen their £50 million (€58.7m / $63.2m) valuation met, and talks are “advancing.” While an initial offer of £30 million was rejected, the Gunners have come back with an improved offer, and the final details are almost complete.

The Sun reported earlier in June that Arsenal are willing to offer the former Palmeiras striker £190,000 per week, plus bonuses. Jesus earns around £110,000 per week at the Etihad Stadium, representing a significant pay increase if he makes the transfer.

UPDATE (June 21): Goal.com reports that Jesus’s representatives have flown to London to finalize personal terms with Arsenal in an attempt to push the deal through. The report also corroborates James Ducker’s earlier report of a £50m valuation.

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UPDATE (June 20): Despite the ongoing positivity over Arsenal securing a move for Jesus, the Daily Mirror is reporting Tottenham could try an 11th hour challenge for the Brazilian. Spurs are leading with their ace card of Champions League football in 2022/23 and Antonio Conte can match Arsenal’s current transfer offer.

Arsenal battling Man United for Lisandro Martinez

The Gunners are hoping to push for Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez, who has seven international caps for Argentina. The 24-year-old has been with Ajax since moving from Argentine club Defensa in 2019. Martinez is a Newell’s Old Boys youth product and has developed into a hot commodity on the European market, helping Ajax to a stunning defensive record last year, conceding just 19 goals in 34 matches.

According to Dutch publication De Telegraaf on June 20, Arsenal made an informal €30 million offer to Ajax, but were told Martinez was not for sale. However, the report also states that Manchester United will test that resolve with a better offer than Arsenal’s that will “dig deeper” into their pockets.

UPDATE (June 21): Dutch pundit Marciano Vink said to Dutch publication Voetbalpraet that the Man United offer could reach as high as €40 million, meaning Arsenal will have to pony up to challenge for the Argentine center-back.

Eddie Nketiah extends Arsenal contract

Arsenal confirmed on Saturday, June 18 that striker Eddie Nketiah was staying at the club, extending his contract through the summer of 2027.

The striker was set to depart The Emirates this summer after the expiration of his previous deal, but instead the club struck a new agreement, handing Nketiah the iconic number 14 shirt worn by Thierry Henry.

The 22-year-old had struggled over the past few years at Arsenal, but his end-of-season form through the finish of last season saw him score five goals in eight matches down the stretch. That seemed to convince Arsenal brass of his value, and he has decided to remain at the club.

Other Arsenal transfer reports & news

Date Player Publication News
June 18 Yves Bissouma  — Tottenham have completed the signing,
as the Gunners miss out on the midfielder.
June 17 Victor Oshimen Lorenzo Amuso Arsenal had £51 million bid rejected, and
Tottenham could lead chase due to ability
to offer Champions League play
June 16 Vitinha Record Arsenal are linked with Vitinha, who
reportedly has a £35 million release
clause, and Porto have confirmed the
rejection of a bid from an unnamed club
June 15 Lucas Torreira  — Torreira has publicly acknowledged his
move to Fiorentina broke down, upset with
the Italian club for their conduct
June 13 William Saliba Eurosport The French defender is likely to return to
Arsenal next season after Marseille loan,
but Guendouzi hoping he stays
June 13 Youri Tielemans Goal.com
(Charlie Watts)		 Arsenal have been informed they will
have to pay £25 million to sign Tielemans.
June 11 Marco Asensio The Mirror Arsenal have been in contact with the reps
for the out-of-contract Real Madrid winger
June 11 Richarlison UOL Tottenham have agreed to a £51 million
fee with Everton, leaving Arsenal behind
June 10 Raphinha Daily Telegraph Arsenal is apparently interested in entering
the race for Raphinha at £40 million, with
Barcelona still leading the charge
June 10 Sergej Milinkovic-Savic Corriere Dello Sport Arsenal have shortlisted the Napoli
midfielder, willing to pay £42 million
June 10 Marcel Sabitzer Bild Sabitzer could be available for around
£12.8 million and Arsenal are interested
if Granit Xhaka departs
June 9 Fabian Ruiz Football London Ruiz would reportedly available for around
£25.7 million this summer, with Barcelona
and Real Madrid also interested
June 9 Arthur The Express Arsenal still pursuing Juventus midfielder,
but Italian club reportedly want 2 players
in return
June 9 Sven Botman La Repubblica Newcastle are most linked to Lille CB,
but have reportedly stalled, leaving an
opening for Arsenal or others
June 8 Manuel Akanji The Sun Arsenal offered the CB by Dortmund, at
a price tag of £21 million
June 6 Hector Bellerin Fabrizio Romano The full-back has “no plans” to return to
Arsenal after Real Betis loan, will work for
permanent move to Spain
June 6 Oleksandr Zinchenko Evening Standard,
The Mirror		 Arsenal scouted Ukraine vs. Scotland,
impressed by Zinchenko, West Ham
also interested
June 6 Paulo Dybala The Mirror 3 interested PL clubs were turned off
by high wage demands
June 6 Gianluca Scamacca La Gazetta dello Sport Report that Scamacca rejected Arsenal,
but Sassuolo executive says there’s been
nothing but “just some contacts with some
clubs”
June 4 Raheem Sterling The Mirror Arsenal interested, but Sterling could
prefer to run down Man City deal instead
May 31 Alvaro Morata Daily Mirror Arsenal interested, but Morata
turned down a move to England
June 13 Christopher Nkunku The Independent Arsenal have been quoted £100m for the
RB Leipzig striker, which would be a club
record if completed
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Arsenal Transfers: Summer 2022 transfer window

Players In:

Date Player Position Age Club Transfer/Loan Fee
July 1 Matt Turner GK 27 New England Revolution £7.5 million (€8.8m / $9.5m)
July 21 Fabio Vieira MF 22 FC Porto £35 million €41.1m / $44.2m)
           

Fabio Vieira completes Arsenal move

On June 21, Arsenal announced the move for Porto defender Fabio Vieira.

Vieira, who happens to sport the same last name as Arsenal legend and current Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira, is a Porto youth product and has spent his entire career to this point with the club. At 22 years old, he has made 76 senior appearances for Porto, scoring 10 goals and assisting 18 others.

The move had been anticipated for some time, with the player himself telling the The Mirror back on June 17, “I have accepted the deal,” while Fabrizio Romano had also confirmed all the financial details and posted an image of a statement from Portuguese side Porto. The transfer is for a reported £35 million (€35.2m / $37.9m) deal plus another £4.2 million (€5m / $5.4m) in add-ons

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Turner plays last match for New England Revolution

Goalkeeper Matt Turner played his last match for MLS club New England Revolution on June 19, bidding farewell to his club before heading to Arsenal this summer.

In classic new-Gunner fashion, Turner was caught on camera after the match refusing to sign a shirt for a fan wearing a Tottenham jersey.

Players Out:

Date Player Position Age Club Transfer/Loan Fee
July 1, 2022 Alexandre Lacazette FW 31 Lyon Free Transfer
           
           

Lacazette completes Lyon return

Alexandre Lacazette has departed Arsenal at the expiration of his contract and will return to his former club Lyon, with the French side confirming his arrival on June 9.

The Gunners also confirmed Lacazette will move on from the club this summer with his contract at the Emirates Stadium expiring next month.

Lacazette leaves north London after netting 71 goals in 206 appearances across all competitions since joining the club in 2017. Arsenal have been linked to a host of other strikers over the past few weeks with anticipation of Lacazette’s departure, and Mikel Arteta looking for a replacement.

Below is the updated Arsenal first-team squad. New additions during the summer 2022 window are noted in bold:

Goalkeepers (3): Bernd Leno, Arthur Okonkwo, Aaron Ramsdale, Matt Turner.

Defenders (9): Cedric, Calum Chambers, Gabriel, Rob Holding, Pablo Mari, Nuno Tavares, Kieran Tierney, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White

Midfielders (7): Mohamed Elneny, Alberto Lokonga, Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Fabio Vieira, Granit Xhaka.

Forwards (4): Folarin Balogun, Gabriel Martinelli, Eddie Nketiah, Nicolas Pepe, Alexandre Lacazette.

CB = centre back; LB = left back; RB = right back; CM = central midfielder; CAM = attacking midfielder; CF = centre forward; LW = left wing; RW = right wing

The current Arsenal projected first-choice starting lineup, when completely healthy, currently looks like:

Arsenal projected starting XI (formation): Ramsdale (GK) — Tierney, Gabriel, White, Tomiyasu — Partey, Xhaka — Smith Rowe, Odegaard, Saka — Nketiah.

Arsenal back-ups: Leno (GK), Okonkwo (GK), Holding (CB), Tavares (LB), Cedric (RB), El Neny (CM), Lokonga (CM), Balogun (CF), Lacazette (CF), Martinelli (LW), Pepe (RW).

(GK = goalkeeper; CB = centre back; LB = left back; RB = right back; CM = central midfielder; RM = right midfielder; CF = centre forward; LW = left wing; RW = right wing)