Arsenal's Summer Transfer Strategy: Álvarez, Havertz, and Martinelli's Future
Arsenal’s 3-0 dismantling of Coventry might have felt like a gentle season opener. The noise around the club says otherwise. Behind the scenes, this is a summer of hard choices, big swings and a clear message: Mikel Arteta thinks this squad is close – but not finished.
Alvarez or bust? Arsenal push against Barcelona dream
The name that will not go away is Julián Álvarez.
Arsenal have been pushing hard for the Atlético Madrid forward, and David Ornstein has underlined why: the club still want to upgrade their frontline. Atlético are open to dealing with Arsenal and, crucially, would prefer a sale to the Premier League rather than strengthening Barcelona.
The problem is the player. Álvarez’s dream remains Barça. Reports in Spain say Arteta has been in contact with him for some time, yet the message from the Argentine has stayed the same – he wants Catalonia, not north London.
Diego Simeone, for now, is treating him as untouchable. “Julián Álvarez will be in the squad tomorrow,” he said in his pre‑match press conference. “For me, Julián is an extremely important player for us to achieve our objectives. As long as he’s with the team, I’m going to look after him.”
Atlético’s stance is nuanced rather than absolute. The board have met Arsenal to discuss conditions for a departure and are understood to be more open to a move abroad than to Barcelona. If Atlético land Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea on loan – director of football Mateu Alemany has travelled to London to work on that deal – the dominoes could start to wobble.
But one thing hasn’t moved yet: Álvarez himself. Until he opens the door to England again, Arsenal are trying to force a transfer where the player’s heart is elsewhere.
Havertz makes his case up front
While Arsenal chase Álvarez, Kai Havertz is quietly building a compelling argument that the solution might already be in-house.
Back from a season disrupted by injury, the German has hit form at exactly the right time. He scored in the Community Shield against Manchester City, then again in the Champions League final against PSG, and added another against Coventry. These are not empty-calorie goals. Havertz has made a habit of scoring on the biggest stages – including the 2021 Champions League final winner for Chelsea.
He shared striker duties with Viktor Gyokeres last season, but his recent run suggests he is ready to lead the line. Inside the club, there is a growing sense that Havertz could ease the urgency of landing a marquee No 9.
Outside, the debate rages. Gary Neville believes Álvarez would still be transformative, especially for Martin Odegaard. “If Arsenal had an Ian Wright up front, Odegaard would be even better because Havertz and Gyokeres want to come to the play rather than run in behind,” Neville said on Sky Sports. “If Arsenal were to get an Álvarez, I think he (Odegaard) would go up a level.”
Havertz, though, is doing his best to make that argument less straightforward.
Martinelli on the brink – and the human cost
Gabriel Martinelli’s situation cuts through the transfer-chessboard talk and lands somewhere more raw.
The Brazilian has already rejected an approach from Galatasaray this summer but remains firmly on the market after a poor season. Inter Milan, Roma, Atlético Madrid and Juventus are all credited with interest, and Arsenal are holding out for around €60m.
The clearest sign of where he stands came on opening night: Martinelli was left out of the match-day squad entirely for the 3-0 win over Coventry.
Arsenal legend Ian Wright did not hide his discomfort. “In respect of Martinelli and the way Martinelli is being treated at the moment, it really makes me feel uncomfortable,” he told Sky Sports. “The way he’s been treated at the end here. I know they might want him out and people might say, ‘yeah, it’s time to move him on’.
“There’s ways to do that. It should suit him as well, how he wants to leave. Not being involved in the squad, not being spoken to, doesn’t know what’s going on. I know this, I know this.”
That emotional edge sits alongside cold logic. Arsenal are exploring a swap involving Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz, with Martinelli potentially heading to Turin. The Guardian reports Yildiz is high on Arsenal’s list as they search for a new left-sided attacker.
Yildiz, 21, scored 11 goals in all competitions last season and can operate across the frontline. Juventus value him at around €70m. A part-exchange with Martinelli could solve two problems in one move – but only if Juve open the door.
Right now, they haven’t. David Ornstein says Arsenal “like Kenan Yildiz, but the doors are closed from Juventus.” For now, at least.
Tzolis hits the ground running
While Martinelli waits, his would-be successor has wasted no time.
Christos Tzolis, a £34m signing from Club Brugge, already looks like one of the sharpest pieces of business of Arsenal’s summer. The 24-year-old produced two assists in the Community Shield win over Manchester City and impressed again against Coventry.
When Sky Sports picked their Player of the Match, the co-commentator called it a “toss up” between Odegaard and Tzolis, ultimately choosing the captain. The fact it was even close tells its own story.
Jamie Carragher went further, describing Tzolis as “an upgrade on (Leandro) Trossard and (Gabriel) Martinelli.” Neville pushed back slightly – “I actually really like Martinelli” – but the direction of travel is clear. Arsenal have replaced a 31-year-old Trossard, who scored crucial goals including the winner at West Ham in last season’s title push, with a 24-year-old who already looks like a constant threat on the left.
Ian Wright, though, again brought it back to the human side. “Tzolis had a very good debut and respect to Martinelli, what’s happened with him makes me feel uncomfortable,” he said. “If you bring Tzolis in and he’s looking at Tzolis, you’re thinking to yourself ‘I still have something to offer.’ I feel a bit sad for him. He’s done a lot in this squad to be treated more. I hope it all works out right for Martinelli.”
Arsenal’s left flank is getting younger and more dangerous. The price is a fan favourite being quietly ushered towards the exit.
Experience arrives: Guimaraes and Konsa in their prime
Arteta’s summer has not just been about fireworks up front. He has targeted experience with ruthless clarity.
Bruno Guimaraes and Ezri Konsa, both 28, have been brought in to add proven Premier League quality at the spine of the team. Guimaraes captained Newcastle to their first trophy in 56 years, lifting the EFL Cup. Konsa was a key figure for England at the World Cup and for Aston Villa’s Europa League triumph, ending a 30-year wait.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Arteta laid out the thinking. “Because we look at the squad as a whole, we have a young defensive line. In midfield, we already have the next generation with Ethan and Max. At 28 they are in their prime and I think they are going to give amazing things to our squad.”
Arsenal’s sporting director Andrea Betra was effusive about Konsa. “We’re delighted to have completed the signing of Ezri Konsa,” he said. “Ezri is a defender of high quality, whose athleticism, composure and tactical intelligence have established him as one of the Premier League’s most consistent performers.
“Being comfortable in both central defence and at right-back, Ezri will bring valuable versatility to our squad while maintaining the high defensive standards which are fundamental to our challenge of winning major trophies.
“We are welcoming a player with proven Premier League and international experience, and strong leadership qualities, who will adapt seamlessly to our style of play. Just as importantly, we are welcoming a player with the character and mentality to make an immediate impact within our club. We welcome Ezri and his family to Arsenal.”
Konsa arrives in a deal worth around £51m, with a further £4m in add-ons. With William Saliba injured, he offers immediate security alongside Gabriel and cover at right-back.
He also raises questions.
Ben White, Everton and the squeeze at the back
Konsa’s versatility tightens the squeeze on Ben White.
Everton admire the 28-year-old and are monitoring his situation. White registered his first assist of the season against Coventry, yet Arteta has struggled to rely on him consistently and the new arrival could accelerate a decision.
With Jurrien Timber already trusted at full-back and Konsa able to play there, White’s pathway to regular minutes narrows. A sale would free up funds for further reinvestment before the deadline.
Arteta has been blunt about the financial reality. “We are trying to improve the team, but it depends on some players leaving and the amount of money available to us after that,” he said before the Premier League opener. “So far, I am very happy.”
If Arsenal want another major attacking signing, someone of value probably has to go. White is firmly in that bracket.
Zubimendi, rumours and a firm “no”
Not every name on the supposed exit list is genuinely available.
Martin Zubimendi, after a strong debut season, has slipped down the pecking order due to the arrival of Guimaraes, the emergence of Myles Lewis-Skelly and the return of Declan Rice. That has prompted links with Chelsea and Real Madrid.
Arteta has moved quickly to kill the speculation. Asked if Zubimendi could leave, he replied: “No, he’s a really important player. Without a doubt, he was one of the best players for Arsenal last season. Without him, we would never have got into the position that we got into in the last few weeks.”
The message is clear: others may be sacrificed, but not the Spaniard.
Youth, exits and an outdated “eight-man” list
Back in May, a CBS Sports report suggested up to eight players could leave this summer: Ben White, Gabriel Jesus, Ethan Nwaneri, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard and Cristhian Mosquera.
Barely a few months on, that list already looks badly out of step with reality.
Trossard has gone, joining Besiktas. Martinelli and Jesus continue to attract interest from Serie A. Nwaneri, after a loan at Marseille, could seek another move for regular football.
But Havertz and Odegaard both scored against Coventry, with the captain taking Player of the Match. Odegaard has already matched last season’s goal tally. Mosquera, signed from Valencia last summer, impressed alongside Gabriel as he covered for the injured Saliba.
Havertz is central. Odegaard is captain. Mosquera looks like a long-term defensive piece. The “eight-man” exit plan belongs to another moment.
Wonderkid secured: Tyjon finally lands
Arsenal’s recruitment drive is not just about finished products.
The club have finally closed in on Blackburn Rovers striker Igor Tyjon after several windows of pursuit, with The Athletic reporting that the 18-year-old has completed his medical. Tyjon has featured for Blackburn’s U21s, England’s U17s and made his senior debut in the EFL Cup last season.
The deal is structured with upside for Rovers: £1.2m up front, £2m in add-ons and a 20% sell-on clause. That is notably lower than the near-£5m they were reportedly offered last summer, but it keeps them tied to any future windfall.
For Arsenal, it is another calculated bet on a forward talent at academy level – exactly the sort of move that can reshape a squad’s depth two or three years down the line.
Kenan Yildiz: door ajar or firmly shut?
Kenan Yildiz keeps reappearing in Arsenal’s summer narrative, even as the message from Juventus remains frosty.
The Independent reports that Arsenal have revived their interest in the Turkey international after missing out on Vinicius Jr, who signed a new contract at Real Madrid. Yildiz, 21, scored 11 goals in all competitions last season and can play across the front line. Juventus have set his price at around €70m.
Arsenal are weighing whether that fee represents value, especially if Álvarez remains out of reach. A swap involving Martinelli could lower the cash outlay and solve a positional issue in one move.
Yet Ornstein’s line still hangs over the whole thing: “the doors are closed from Juventus.” If that doesn’t change, Yildiz will stay in the realm of “what if”.
Partey’s new chapter
Away from the Emirates, a former cornerstone of Arteta’s midfield has taken a different path.
Thomas Partey, who left Arsenal for Villarreal last summer at the end of his contract, has joined Al Shabab in Saudi Arabia. The Ghanaian made 167 appearances for the Gunners after arriving from Atlético Madrid in 2020 and became a key figure in the side’s rise back towards the top of the Premier League.
Al Shabab are getting a midfielder with deep experience in the Premier League, Europe and international football. Arsenal, once again, are moving on.
What will it take to go that “extra step”?
For all the noise, the central question around Arsenal’s summer remains simple: what do they need to turn last season’s near-miss into a season of trophies?
Neville believes one signing could tilt the whole picture. “We think that Álvarez wants to go to Barcelona, but if Arsenal get Álvarez it would light this place up,” he said. “As well as having world-class defenders and midfielders, they would then have a world-class striker and they could not only win the Premier League again, but go that extra step and win the Champions League as well.”
Odegaard, ever the diplomat, focused on the internal competition. “I think the quality in the squad and team is unbelievable,” he told Sky Sports. “You can put so many players in the squad and we would be at an unbelievably high level. We push each other to be better in training to be better.”
Arteta has added Guimaraes and Konsa in their prime, unearthed a livewire in Tzolis, secured a highly rated teenager in Tyjon and kept his grip on Zubimendi. He is still pushing for Álvarez or another elite attacker, even as Havertz stakes his claim to the No 9 role.
Something has to give. Ben White may move. Martinelli almost certainly will if the right offer lands. Juventus and Atlético hold crucial pieces. Barcelona, as ever, loom over it all.
The window is open, the squad looks strong, and Arsenal are operating like a club that believes it is one ruthless decision away from dominance. The only question left is whether that decision arrives before the clock runs out.
