Arsenal learn nine-figure fee with new plot to hijack Pep Guardiola transfer

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Arsenal are putting together a list of possible transfer targets for Mikel Arteta to eye in the near future.

Before the Gunners look to recruit new additions, Arteta will search for an Edu Gaspar replacement.

The sporting director left his role which took many by surprise, giving Arsenal a challenge to replace the Brazilian. 

Edu and Arteta signed several star talents together at the Emirates, reinforcing the need for the former player’s replacement to be up to standard. 

Arsenal ready to rival Manchester City for Florian Wirtz

The new sporting director can win over fans by tending to Arsenal’s transfer needs in attack.

Edu compiled a list of five striker targets for the Gunners before his swift exit, with there a need for added depth in quality going forward.

Now that the 2024/25 campaign is taking shape, attention is beginning to be paid to the transfer markets ahead, with a fresh Arsenal target now emerging.

German outlet BILD have named the North Londoners as one of the sides eyeing Bayer Leverkusen superstar Florian Wirtz. 

Arsenal were linked to Wirtz in the summer however, the German remained at Leverkusen but, interest is only getting stronger.

As per BILD’s update, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Arsenal have ‘increasingly positioned themselves’ in the race to sign the 21-year-old.

The report details Leverkusen’s desperation to keep the playmaker, whose contract expires in 2027, with talks of a new deal starting to take place.

It makes sense for Arsenal to be on Wirtz’s tail, considering the remarkable rise of the Germany international over the past few years.

How much Arsenal would have to pay for Wirtz

A player with 38 goal contributions over the 2023/24 campaign for Leverkusen is not a figure Xabi Alonso will be willing to let go easily. 

Such view is echoed by club CEO Fernando Carro, whom BILD quote to value Wirtz at around €150m (£125m).

Already this season, the attacking midfielder has nine goals and four assists for Leverkusen in all competitions, who build their front line around the phenomenal talent. 

Manchester City and Pep Guardiola certainly see the magic in Wirtz, as do Arteta and Arsenal, opening the doors to a potential Premier League battle for the highly-valued German.