Arsenal in talks with Barcelona superstar in huge statement of intent to end the window: report

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Arsenal are looking at bringing a Barcelona star to the Emirates Stadium this summer, as Mikel Arteta seeks to end the transfer window in style

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reacts during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Emirates Stadium on May 14, 2023 in London, England.
(Image credit: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal are to hold talks with a Barcelona superstar in a deal that could see them become favourites for the Premier League title.

The Gunners have started the season strongly, winning their opening two games and Mikel Arteta looks to have concluded signing players for now, with a focus set on shifting deadwood. Kieran Tierney and Folarin Balogun are two stars who have been left out of matchday squads so far, with Arsenal hoping to rake in over £60 million from the pair.

But with little depth behind Bukayo Saka on the right wing, there may be scope for a backup in that area, should enough capital be raised.

Bukayo Saka signs a new long term contract at Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on May 23, 2023 in London, England

Bukayo Saka has no natural backup in the Arsenal squad (Image credit: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

FootballTransfers have made the incredible claim that Arsenal are to enter discussions with Jorge Mendes over the possibility of Ansu Fati joining the club. 

Fati doesn't want to leave Barcelona but the Catalan outfit are keen to raise money themselves – and the report claims that both agent Mendes and Barça president Laporta will attempt to persuade the 20-year-old that leaving La Liga is in his best interests. 

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Fati would likely leave on loan first, with Barcelona wanting to reduce the wage bill at the very least, though they value the La Masia graduate at around £50m.

Despite the suggestions of Fati joining, however, it remains extremely unlikely that Arsenal will move for the starlet right now. There are other areas of the side that feel far more pressing, with defender Jurrien Timber out for the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury and a long-term successor to 30-year-old Thomas Partey still uncertain. 

Arsenal's Ben White shakes hands with Barcelona's Ansu Fati during a pre-season friendly in the summer of 2023.

Barcelona's Ansu Fati is of interest to Mikel Arteta (Image credit: Getty Images)

Arteta has refused to rule out more signings but with the Gunners struggling to sell their fringe players, new signings might have to be put on hold for now. 

Fati is valued at €35m by Transfermarkt. 

More Arsenal stories

Arsenal transfer news is coming thick and fast as we enter the final few weeks of the summer window.

The Gunners are reportedly willing to offer two players to Inter Milan in exchange for Nicolo Barella – and they could be about to complete the signing of David Raya from Brentford on quite an unusual basis. Arsenal are also said to have made an audacious approach for one of Barcelona’s most exciting young talents.

In FourFourTwo's Season Preview, we ask whether Arsenal are truly back, following last season's title challenge.

Mark White
Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White is the Digital Content Editor at FourFourTwo. During his time on the brand, Mark has written three cover features on Mikel Arteta, Martin Odegaard and the Invincibles, and has written pieces on subjects ranging from Sir Bobby Robson’s time at Barcelona to the career of Robinho. An encyclopedia of football trivia and collector of shirts, he first joined the team back in 2020 as a staff writer.