Arsenal handed transfer boost for Bukayo Saka backup after PSG twist for Kylian Mbappe replacement

There is under one week left in the summer transfer market and Arsenal could still look to bolster their squad before it slams shut.

The Gunners have already conducted a bit of business, with David Raya signing permanently before Riccardo Calafiori joined the club.

Mikel Merino appears to be on the verge of joining Arsenal from Real Sociedad

as another piece of business for the North London outfit.

In terms of outgoings, Emile Smith Rowe joined Fulham, but rumours persist about other members of the Arsenal squad.

Eddie Nketiah has been linked with a move to Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, Aaron Ramsdale has also been subject of transfer interest in the Premier League.

Should further exits be confirmed, Mikel Arteta may enter the market for a few options for the season ahead.

One of which may be for a backup to Bukayo Saka, who has been a key player for Arsenal in recent years on the right.

Ademola Lookman to Arsenal transfer latest

One star who has been linked as an option to play backup to Saka at Arsenal is Atalanta star Ademola Lookman.

The forward appears to be free to leave the Serie A outfit this summer following an impressive season where he helped the club lift the Europa League.

PSG has been touted as a likely destination for the 26-year-old, coming as a potential replacement for Kylian Mbappe.

However, there has been a twist in the tale which may open the door for Arsenal to pounce on a potential deal.

According to journalist Florian Plettenberg, PSG are currently unwilling to meet the finances required to land Lookman.

It means the deal is “unlikely” and leaves the chance open for other teams to land a deal for the former Everton man.

That could come as a huge boost to the Gunners as they continue to be linked with a move for another forward in the market.

Nico Williams has been linked with a late transfer to Arsenal, with the Athletic Bilbao star impressing over the past year.

However, Lookman is another option that could play across the front three and offer plenty of quality to the side.

Do Arsenal need a backup to Bukayo Saka?

So with those links to Lookman and Williams in the market, there is a question over whether Arsenal truly need a backup to Saka.

There are naturally some concerns over fitness, workload and injuries, given the fact that the winger played 3,865 minutes last season.

That is likely to increase over the coming campaign, given the new Champions League format has increased the number of games in the early phases of the competition.

However, on top of the minutes he receives, it’s clear that Saka is a quality option that Arteta relies upon quite often.

The Arsenal boss has to balance his squad with players who are likely to start and those who are comfortable with more sporadic appearances.

On the left, there’s a battle between Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli, who can tussle for that spot.

But given the overwhelming quality of Saka, it would be a tough pitch to sign a player knowing they are behind the Hale End academy graduate in the pecking order.

As a result, the role of Reiss Nelson may just be the perfect fit in terms of balance within the team.