Arsenal transfers: Lisandro Martinez priority as spending continues to buy Fabio Vieira

Arsenal’s purchase of Fabio Vieira is an important indicator of the work they intend to do this summer, as a player of his profile and stature has not necessarily been a priority. This suggests that unless they completely change their way of thinking (which is not typical for manager Mikel Arteta), the young Portuguese was simply too good a prospect to pass up.

Signing him does not necessarily mean that Arsenal will stop chasing other goals, or that the arrival of Vieira will replace others in their sights, such as Ravenha, Gabriel Jesus or Lisandro Martinez. Instead, they are eager to keep going. The plan, ideally, is to recruit them all.

Vieira was moved very quickly. There were other names on the list, but in the end, the degree to which Arteta wanted this particular player exponentially accelerated the deal, which lasted for five years and is worth up to £35m. Although Vieira has played several positions in his career and could also work as a second striker or wide player, Arsenal consider the 22-year-old a key choice as their No. 10 or No. 8. Arsenal expect he will need some. It’s time to adapt after the transition from Portuguese football, but there is a huge enthusiasm within the camp that he can develop into an exceptional player.

This is something that remains central to their strategy – identifying the promise of high-level talent while still being affordable. 19-year-old Brazilian winger Marquinhos, a recent arrival from Sao Paulo, is another indication of that, and his merger with the future in mind.

With a heavy focus on creative players, let’s not forget that Arsenal still has some thinking to do defensively. USA national football team goalkeeper Matt Turner He will soon meet his new teammates after moving from New England Revolution of MLS and French central defender William Saliba is set to resume his career in London Colney after his break in the United Nations League.

Arsenal would like Martinez to join the defensive block – Ajax’s left centre-back will add more depth to the position Gabriel created last season. Sources say Arsenal have received an offer – in the region of €30m – which has already been turned down. The 24-year-old, who is said to be keen to join Arteta’s side, will provide cover at left-back to Kieran Tierney, similar to Takehiro Tomiyasu’s ability to also play both positions on the right side of defence.

The deal would raise the prospect of loaning Nuno Tavares, although the player is happy in London having had an occasional trial season under his belt and is eager to stay.

Arsenal are now also looking to close a deal for Jesus as quickly as possible. Manchester City are seeking £50m and do not need the money, but there is hope that an arrangement can be worked out between the clubs, with the Brazilian striker set to join and personal terms not thought to be an issue. Youri Tielemans is another name at the top of Arsenal’s squad but that’s a more accurate placement. You will probably count on another move in midfield. Granit Xhaka remains a mysterious presence, but if there is a deal to be made for him it will open the door even wider for the Tielemans, for a fee of around £25m required to do business with Leicester.

Tillmann came very close late last season when it looked like Arsenal could return to the Champions League, but the move is becoming less certain with they finished only fifth in the Europa League in 2022-23. The Belgian is not opposed to staying at Leicester for the final year of his contract, hoping to impress him in the middle of the World Cup, then picking clubs on a free transfer next summer.

Arsenal obviously need to generate some cash from the expenses, and would welcome the money that could be raised from selling a group of first-team players who have some value but are unlikely to get any time to play under Arteta – the likes of Lucas Torreira, Bernd Leno and Nicolas Pepe .

Rafinha’s deal for Leeds United is believed to be contingent on Pepe’s exit and Arsenal and the Ivorian are believed to be keen for that to happen – but the club want to see a reasonable return on his record signing. Barcelona’s interest in the Brazilian took a hit with Leeds surviving on the final day of last season and being less likely to sell cheap, leaving the way for Arsenal to show just how ambitious and aggressive they are in the market this summer.

It is a difficult balancing act: spending without compensation first is a gamble, but at the same time they do not want to miss their higher goals and are fully aware of the risks of waiting until the end of the window to complete a lot of deals.

A new lesson last season.

Arsenal were evident in their recruitment pattern a year ago, with youth development at the center of the rebuilding process. But due to delays in key signings, the team was not ready when the match started and the club endured its worst ever start in the Premier League with three successive defeats, no goals scored and nine conceded. Nine months later, they finished three points short of qualifying for the Champions League.

Arteta wants his team to be well-equipped and well-equipped to start the match this time around.

Additional contributors: Adam Crafton and James McNicolas

(Top photo: Jose Manuel Alvarez/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)