Arsenal are gearing up for a busy summer transfer window as Mikel Arteta looks to build on the club's Premier League success. Despite the World Cup complicating matters for some players, the Gunners are already making moves to strengthen both on and off the pitch.
First Signing of the Summer
Arsenal are on the verge of completing their first signing of the summer, with reports indicating that Arnaldo Abrantes will join as the club's new head doctor. The former Olympic sprinter is set to replace Dr Zafar Iqbal, who left after two years at the Emirates Stadium. Abrantes became available after leaving Aston Villa at the end of the season. The 39-year-old previously served as head of performance at Nottingham Forest for three years before moving to Birmingham.
The appointment comes as Arsenal look to improve their medical department following a challenging injury record. Captain Martin Odegaard was particularly affected, managing only 16 league starts, while Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber also spent significant time on the sidelines. According to The Athletic, Abrantes will officially begin his role in July, becoming the third doctor to join from Villa in recent months. He represented Portugal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, exiting in the early rounds.
Morgan Rogers Addresses Transfer Speculation
Another potential target from Aston Villa is Morgan Rogers. The England international has spoken about the impact of transfer rumours on his performances. In an interview with The Rest Is Football, the 23-year-old midfielder said: "I think the first time it ever happened it was. You're in an uncomfortable spot of not realising that people have so much interest in you and you're not quite realising that. But as you get older and gain experience along the way, you know that comes with it and 95 per cent of it is just noise."
Rogers added: "You hear it, course you do. You can't help not. You know it's there but you've got to use it in a positive way. You just try and get on with your game and just focus." Currently in the United States with England for the World Cup, any transfer is unlikely until the Three Lions exit the tournament. Rogers, who joined Villa from Manchester City, has a contract until 2031, and reports suggest a fee exceeding £80 million would be required to secure his signature this summer.
