Edu has crucial double Arsenal transfer decision to make after Mikel Arteta reminder
The important decisions for Arsenal sporting director Edu are unlikely to stop any time soon even with the transfer window closing three weeks ago. In their most-recent trading period, The Gunners snapped-up David Raya, Tommy Setford, Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino permanently with Raheem Sterling and Neto joining on loan.
Although the January transfer window is still well over three months from opening, rough plans are likely already being drawn up. Mikel Arteta will, undoubtedly, be involved in those after the club announced his new three-year contract extension last week.
“I feel extremely proud, very excited and am looking forward to what is coming next. I’m proud to be where I am and have the relationships that I have with everyone at the club,” Arteta revealed upon signing a new deal. “I feel extremely lucky to work every single day with good people and the ambition we have here.”
The main part of that ambition will undoubtedly be to win trophies, and do so regularly. Bringing in players to help reach that goal will be important, however keeping hold of the key stars already at the club could be just as crucial.
Arsenal have already tied down the likes of Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and William Saliba to new contracts, although there’s still work to be done. Thomas Partey and Jorginho are the two players that could leave Emirates Stadium on free transfers next summer, but there’s an option to extend the latter’s stay by a further year.
The expectation was that Partey would depart ahead of the 2024/25 season, but he remained at the club and has since started the first four Premier League matches. An exit at the end of his contract seems inevitable though – at this stage – and he could be joined by Jorginho.
Given the option Arsenal hold, the Italy international staying is more likely, but his role being reduced this season could see the former Chelsea man keen to go elsewhere and the Gunners accepting his wish. If that scenario does play out, Arsenal could be facing a double problem with two players in the same position leaving at the same time.
Signing another midfielder will likely then become a priority, although Arsenal can avoid that by making decisions now on Jorginho and Partey. With an extension for Arteta now complete, Edu may opt to turn his attentions on to the experienced pair before club’s from abroad can negotiate pre-contracts in January.
