Martin Odegaard beware, Arsenal target reveals summer transfer plan that could charm Andrea Berta

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The summer transfer window is set to be crucial for Arsenal, who have little room for error.

Arsenal’s miserable injury record over the 2024/25 campaign impacted Mikel Arteta’s claim to the Premier League title. 

Though the Gunners have had no luck in the key absences department, the way in which the squad has suffered was avoidable had a strong transfer window been put together.

Instead, the summer window was one of poor recruitment, as was January, with no signings made, emphasising the importance for Andrea Berta to get things right in his first market as Arsenal’s sporting director. 

Xavi Simons hints at summer transfer 

Berta’s record of signing strikers is incredibly strong from his time at Atletico Madrid, which is an area that Arsenal will look to strengthen this summer. 

Aside from signing a number nine, there are other profiles that Arteta must add to his squad, including a playmaker.

Interestingly, one of Europe’s most dazzling attacking midfielders has declared his desire to seek a new challenge, which could be a perfectly propped door for Berta to open.

The player is Xavi Simons, who has been linked to Arsenal before, being a player held in high regard due to his rise. 

Still only 22, Simons has represented Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, PSV Eindhoven and RB Leipzig and now, the Dutchman is ready for his next venture.

Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg revealed Simons’ transfer plan earlier this month, as the playmaker insisted that Leipzig are aware of his ‘dreams’.

Plettenberg relayed that Leipzig are eager to collect a fee in the region of €80m (£68.5m) for Simons, which could place a possibly tempting deal on Berta’s desk at Arsenal.

Simons could be competition for Martin Odegaard at Arsenal

Arsenal have the ability to share the goalscoring responsibility around, however, Arteta’s squad is missing top-class quality in abundance.

Though Martin Odegaard is Arsenal’s standout playmaker in the attacking midfield role, the Norwegian hasn’t been performing to standard this season. 

In that instance, no other figure is on hand to replace the captain, aside from Ethan Nwaneri, who is still only 18.

Bringing in a player of Simons’ calibre could trigger some much-needed competition for Odegaard, who must raise the bar if he is to be relied on as Arteta’s key creator. 

As seen from the two players’ statistics this season, Simons is outperforming the Arsenal skipper in front of goal, as well as being on par with Odegaard when it comes to playmaking qualities.

Berta could mix things up in Arsenal’s attack by signing a player like Simons, who is eager to take on a new challenge.