Arsenal have yet to make a major signing this summer despite being armed with a £250m transfer war chest, and now face the prospect of losing two key targets to bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur. The Gunners rejected the chance to sign Sandro Tonali due to his wage demands, only for Spurs to agree a £100m deal for the Italian. Meanwhile, Tottenham are also plotting a hijack of Arsenal target Eli Junior Kroupi from Bournemouth.
Why Arsenal Snubbed Sandro Tonali
Arsenal reportedly turned down the opportunity to sign Sandro Tonali before Tottenham agreed a £100m transfer with Newcastle United. The 26-year-old Italian midfielder is set to become Spurs' second record signing of the summer, following the arrival of Matheus Fernandes. According to ChronicleLive, Tonali's agent Giuseppe Riso offered the player to Arsenal, but the Gunners rejected the move because they believed his salary expectations were too high. Tonali is understood to be set to receive £275,000 per week at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on a six-year contract, with Riso also requesting a 10% agent fee.
Tottenham Plot Third Hijack of Arsenal Target
After agreeing deals for Arsenal midfield targets Tonali and Fernandes, Tottenham have turned their attention to bolstering their frontline. The Independent reports that Bournemouth's Eli Junior Kroupi leads their transfer wishlist. Bournemouth manager Roberto De Zerbi is said to want to complete his business before pre-season gets underway, and Spurs are willing to spend big again to land the 20-year-old, who is valued at over £80m by the Cherries. Arsenal have been tracking the Frenchman, who handed Arsenal the Premier League title with a dramatic goal against Manchester City last season, for some time, according to football.london.
Arsenal's Quiet Summer So Far
Mikel Arteta was reportedly handed a war chest of around £250m—the same amount he spent last year to drastically improve his squad. However, aside from the permanent acquisition of loanee Piero Hincapie, Arsenal have been quiet in terms of announcing new signings. Sporting director Andrea Berta is negotiating various deals simultaneously for players on his list of targets. The English champions are understood to be prioritising a right-back, a midfielder, a left winger, and potentially a forward. There has been a growing sense of unease among fans given some targets have moved elsewhere and reports that the north Londoners have been priced out of several deals.
