Arsenal want to sign ‘superstar’ title-winner but he’ll cost more than Declan Rice

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Arsenal are already lining up their transfer targets for 2025.

The Gunners have done a fantastic job in recent windows. Edu Gaspar’s work on the market has helped Mikel Arteta build a team capable of challenging for the Premier League title, and that is set to continue.

Arsenal’s focus now should be on the pitch as they hope to pip Manchester City to the English top-flight crown, but that hasn’t stopped Edu from planning for next year.

The Premier League runners-up are said to be eyeing a move to sign one of the most talented players in the world in 2025.

Arsenal want to sign Florian Wirtz but he’ll cost a fortune

Florian Wirtz is a player almost every top club in Europe would want to sign.

The German was absolutely brilliant in Euro 2024, but his performances for Bayer Leverkusen in their title-winning 2023/24 season is what has impressed everybody.

The 21-year-old scored 18 goals and provided 20 assists last season. He has already scored six and assisted one in seven appearances this campaign.

Wirtz is already a ‘superstar‘, but he is nowhere near his prime yet. He will get even better in the coming years, which is probably why Arsenal want to sign him.

Bild journalist Christian Falk has revealed that Arsenal are interested in signing Wirtz in 2025 but face competition from clubs like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Manchester City.

What further complicates things is Bayer Leverkusen’s demands – the German champions want €150 million (£125m) for their star attacker – which is more than what Arsenal paid to sign Declan Rice (£105m), who is their record signing.

Falk tweeted: “Arsenal are interested in Florian Wirtz (21) of Bayer Leverkusen (contract til 2027). Wirtz wants to leave the club in summer 2025.

“Leverkusen want a transfer fee of €150 million. FC Bayern, Real Madrid and Manchester City also are interested in Wirtz.”

Wirtz could replace Arsenal fan favourite who was sold this summer

Arsenal have realised in recent weeks that they are short of options in attacking midfield.

Martin Odegaard’s injury has forced Arteta to deploy the likes of Leandro Trossard, Kai Havertz and young Ethan Nwaneri in the number 10 role.

All three players can do a job there, but none of them are quite on Odegaard’s level.

Wirtz, on the other hand, would’ve been perfect for Arsenal in that role, and the fact that he can play in any of the four attacking positions makes him a fine player to have.

If Arsenal do sign Wirtz, he would be the perfect replacement for Emile Smith Rowe, who is a fan favourite at the Emirates but was sold to Fulham in the summer.

Smith Rowe could also play in any of the four attacking positions. He guaranteed goals and assists and was always a joy to watch. Wirtz is a very similar player in that regard.