Arsenal in ‘pole position’ to sign ‘generational’ £50,000,000 star, but it could spell the end for one Gunners ace

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Arsenal are set for a busy summer transfer window.

The Gunners have plenty to do in the market, and Mikel Arteta will be desperate to strengthen his squad significantly after his team failed to win silverware this season.

Improving the forward line will be the primary objective, with a striker and a winger both seen as priorities for the Emirates hierarchy.

However, Andrea Berta and Arteta are also looking to bolster the back end of the pitch, with a new central defender and a back-up goalkeeper both reportedly on the cards.

• READ MORE: 2025 Summer transfer window rules every Arsenal fan needs to know, including huge opening date changes

Arsenal are in pole position to sign Dean Huijsen

Arsenal may need to add a centre-back to Arteta’s ensemble this summer.

Jakub Kiwior’s future is uncertain, while Real Madrid’s interest in William Saliba is well-documented.

Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen has emerged as a target for Arsenal in recent weeks, and new developments have emerged on this front.

According to Florian Plettenberg, Arsenal are in ‘pole position’ to sign Huijsen alongside Liverpool, although Real Madrid are also keen on the player.

The Cherries centre-back is expected to make a decision on his future soon, with his £50 million release clause evidently not a barrier for the Gunners or the Merseysiders.

Despite possessing Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, Arsenal may feel Huijsen is too prodigious a talent not to acquire if he’s on the market for such an affordable fee.

Signing Dean Huijsen surely means William Saliba or Jakub Kiwior will leave Arsenal

Arsenal don’t have space in their squad for Huijsen, Kiwior, Saliba and Gabriel, and one would surely have to depart if the Spaniard arrives in North London.

Kiwior is wanted by a host of Italian clubs, while Real Madrid are seriously interested in signing Saliba.

The Gunners would no doubt rather shift Kiwior, but it’s possible that Huijsen is viewed as a potential successor to Saliba.

Whether Saliba and Huijsen could co-exist in the same squad is unclear, with the latter’s pedigree surely demanding a more prominent role than deputising for the Frenchman.

However, Huijsen has been described as ‘generational’ by transfer journalist Dean Jones (via GiveMeSport), and it’s possible that Berta and Arteta view him as too good a player to pass up on, and will sign him as an opportunistic addition, before seeing how it plays out.

Ideally for the Gunners, Huijsen comes in and competes with Saliba and Gabriel, with the three players rotating regularly at the heart of Arsenal’s defence.