Arsenal are wasting no time in their quest for a first Premier League title since 2004 in a summer overhaul which could reach nearly £300million.
Mikel Arteta has guided the Gunners to three consecutive second-placed finishes – but they are yet to scoop major silverware since 2020.
But that could change in the 2024/25 season as the north London outfit look to finally address their lack of firepower up top.
Since Arteta succeeded Unai Emery at the Emirates in December 2019, he is yet to sign a complete out-and-out centre-forward.
Gabriel Jesus was primarily used as a winger at Manchester City before being tasked with leading Arsenal’s line in 2022.
Meanwhile Kai Havertz was originally brought in to be an attacking midfielder, before cementing himself as Arsenal’s main up top.
However Arsenal finally look to land the number nine they have been missing, as talkSPORT understands Sporting CP marksman Viktor Gyokeres is poised to arrive from Portugal.
A deal worth up to £69million is in the works for the Sweden international, who would be the latest high-profile arrival at Arsenal this window.
Arsenal finally unveiled the signing of midfielder Martin Zubimendi on Sunday from Real Sociedad for £55m.
Zubimendi is the second signing the club have confirmed this summer, following the acquisition of his Spanish compatriot Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea in a £5m deal.
Brentford skipper Christian Norgaard is also set to make a move to Arsenal in a deal rising to £15m to prove competition for Zubimendi.
Arsenal have also identified Valencia starlet Cristhian Mosquera – valued at £17m – as a back-up for star centre-back William Saliba.
And it’s not just Gyokeres that Arsenal are eyeing up in attack – having identified Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze as a cheaper left winger target to Real Madrid’s Rodryo.
Eze, who boasts a £68m release clause, has held talks with the Champions League semi-finalists over a return to the club, having been released in 2011.
Arsenal have also agreed personal terms with Chelsea winger Noni Madueke, with the England international capable of playing on either flank.
A deal in the region of £60m could be enough to tempt the Blues into a sale in what could see Arsenal spend £289m in a single window.
With seven first-team players to potentially come through the door, talkSPORT.com has taken a look at how the club could face Manchester United on the opening day of the 2025/26 campaign.
With back-to-back Premier League Golden Glove awards in his trophy cabinet, David Raya is almost certain to deputise between the sticks, with Kepa to have to wait for his chance.
Slotting in at right-back will likely be Jurrien Timber – providing he recovers as expected from his ankle surgery.
Hale End graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly – fresh from penning a long-term contract – features ahead of Riccardo Calafiori on the oppose side of defence.
And Gabriel Magalhaes and Saliba will once again continue their formidable partnership in the heart of the backline having been instrumental in Arsenal conceding the fewest goals in each of the last two terms.
With Thomas Partey and Jorginho leaving upon the expirations of their contracts, Zubimendi will be deployed as the club’s lone defensive midfielder.
Captain Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice will then once again feature in their box-to-box roles, forcing Ethan Nwaneri and Mikel Merino to settle for places on the bench.
Moving onto the right wing position, and Bukayo Saka will surely get the nod over Madueke should his Three Lions teammate link up with him at London Colney.
But there could be a new face in the starting XI on the opposite flank in place of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
Despite operating as an attacking midfielder for the Eagles, Eze could play on the left side of Arsenal’s front three.
And leading the line will almost certainly be Gyokeres should Arsenal manage to secure his services.
With 97 goals scored in 102 games for Sporting, expectations are high for the 27-year-old to hit the ground running.
And what better way to endear himself to Arsenal’s fans by getting himself on the score sheet against rivals United in a potential reunion with former boss Ruben Amorim.
