Premier League club Arsenal are preparing a formal bid for a crucial defender at Barcelona ahead of the summer transfer window, with Mikel Arteta eager to start bolstering his side for next season.
After a major issue regarding viability with lots of teams won’t face, nonetheless, Arsenal are set to undergo a major sum of recruitment and redevelopment, with Arteta notably alluding to a “big summer” recruitment drive.
With the club’s potential Champions League qualification dependent on whether it lifts a trophy or not, Arsenal looks set for a busy summer, with Arteta making it clear he wants to improve ‘depth and quality’ across the squad and the defence, including versatility.
The Barcelona star, who can play both centre-back and right-back, has already responded to Arsenal’s interest, as reported by El Nacional.
As well as the covered versatility, Arteta also believes that he fits his system, having performed well amongst Europe’s elite teams and having a wealth of tactical knowledge.
However, Arsenal’s persistent pursuit of the player has left little room for progression, as the defender’s party made it clear: he is not leaving Barcelona this summer.
The player in question is Jules Koundé, who has expressed his desire to stay at Barcelona and rebuffed the Premier League side’s advances.
The Frenchman, who the Catalan club signed in 2022, has become an important part of Hansi Flick’s defence and is settled in Spain.
While Koundé might not fancy a move to the Gunners, Arteta is likely to continue to push for a deal and will want to test Barcelona’s resolve to hold onto Koundé with a generous offer.
Koundé’s want to stay complicates matters for Arsenal, meaning that they may have to go to a different target.
Essentially, for now, the defender is fully committed to Barcelona, and it is up to the Premier League side to weigh their options.
However, Arteta is unlikely to halt his ambition to upgrade his backline, and this transfer saga may continue to play out until the window closes.
🚨 Arsenal have made contact with Jules Koundé but the full-back haas already made it clear that he has no interest in leaving Barcelona this summer.
(Source: El Nacional) pic.twitter.com/8CkbicoDSJ
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) April 23, 2025
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