Mikel Arteta is likely to be forced to choose between his top two midfield transfer targets this summer and will be unable to sign both. The Gunners’ title challenge has run out of steam in recent weeks and their weaknesses were brutally exposed in Wednesday’s defeat at Manchester City, where Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka failed to cope with City’s talisman Kevin De Bruyne. Arteta attempted to strengthen Arsenal’s engine room in January but saw two club-record bids for Moises Caicedo rejected. The Ecuador international was desperate for a move to north London and even a public transfer request wasn’t enough to force the Seagulls into selling another of their prize assets to Arsenal. Caicedo remains on Arteta’s radar and the player recently revealed why he was so intent on joining the Spaniard’s rebuilding project. He said: ‘I’d seen a lot of Arsenal before knowing that there was a possibility of me signing for them. I watched them and I liked them because they have very young, talented players and some stars but they always have that mindset of wanting more.’
Arsenal ultimately signed Jorginho from Chelsea having missed out on Caicedo but the Italy international has played only a bit-part role during the second half of the season. Arteta is understood to have earmarked West Ham skipper Declan Rice as his No.1 target during the window but given his £100million valuation, Arsenal are unlikely to have the funds to sign both players, according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein. The Gunners are also said to be no closer to agreeing a new deal with key defender William Saliba whose absence through injury has coincided with their downturn in form. The 22-year-old’s current deal expires in 2024 after Arsenal activated a 12-month extension clause earlier this year. Arsenal remain hopeful that the France international will commit his long-term future to the club but he is likely to have a number of high-profile suitors in a year’s time when he will be available on a free transfer.