Gunners close to tying down star player, Folarin Balogun lined up for swap deal, Real Madrid outcast emerges as target, Declan Rice latest

Arsenal are chasing a first Premier League title in almost two decades but one eye is already on plans for the summer.

The Gunners are all-but certain to return to the Champions League next season regardless of what happens with the title, meaning reinforcements will be needed to continue competing with the elite.

Arsenal got their recruitment spot on last summer and also in January, with Leandro Trossard and Jorginho playing vital roles in the Gunners’ title challenge.

So with that in mind, talkSPORT.com has had a look at all the latest transfer gossip pouring from the Emirates.

Martin Odegaard

Arsenal’s club captain has been one of the Premier League’s best players this season and the Guners are keen to reward him for his progress.

Odegaard has scored ten times and provided seven assists and has been indirectly involved in many more goals as well.

He only joined the club permanently in the summer of 2021 and his current deal expires in 2025.

But Football Transfers report Arsenal are prepared to offer the 24-year-old a new contract that will keep him at the Emirates until 2030.

This will see him earn a significant pay rise, and the club and the player’s agents are keen to discuss this as soon as possible.

Declan Rice

Rice has emerged as the Gunners’ top midfield target in the summer, with the club preparing to go all in on the English international.

The player himself is understood to be keen on a move to north London.

The West Ham captain has rejected two contract offers from the Hammers and is expected to leave the London Stadium in the summer for around £80 million.

However, The Sun report that Chelsea will represent strong competition for Rice as they want a partner for Enzo Fernandez.

talkSPORT also recently revealed that Man United had a £100m offer for the midfielder turned down in the summer.

Brahim Diaz

The former Manchester City youth prospect is currently on loan from Real Madrid to AC Milan.

The Serie A giants have an £18m option to buy inserted into the deal but are trying to lower the price, which could see the Gunners swoop in for the Spaniard.

Spanish paper Nacional claims that Arteta is ‘obsessed’ with Diaz and sees him as the ideal candidate to fit into his side – having previously worked with him at the Etihad.

The 23-year-old wouldn’t cost a huge amount and can play on either wing or just behind the striker.

Folarin Balogun

There are not many strikers in Europe that are in better goalscoring form than Balogun.

The forward on loan at Reims from the Gunners has scored 17 Ligue 1 goals this season and is proving to be a force to be reckoned with.

However, reports in Italy suggest the English giants are prepared to swap the 21-year-old with AC Milan for Ismael Bennacer.

Balogun could be tempted to leave his boyhood club in pursuit of regular football with Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah already competing for the lone striker spot.

Sacha Boey

The Galatasaray right-back was linked with a January move to Liverpool but now Arsenal have entered the race.

Turkish publication Aksam claim the north Londoners are very keen on recruiting the 22-year-old Frenchman and see him as a top prospect.

His contract with Gala expires in 2025, and the Turkish giants are seeking at least £10m to part ways with Boey in the summer.

However, Lyon saw a £7m bid rebuffed for Boey recently and could come back, but Arsenal would see themselves as favourites.