"Things will move": Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta hints at MORE signings, despite £200m spree

Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta is interviewed before the Arsenal training session at George Mason University on July 17, 2023 in Washington, DC.
(Image credit: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said that there is plenty more time left in the transfer window to bring in new players – even though he's already spent around £200 million in this summer.

The Gunners started strongly with the £60m acquisition of Kai Havertz from Chelsea on a surprise deal, before tying up their priority signing of West Ham United captain Declan Rice for a staggering £105m. In between, Arsenal have found another £40m for Ajax central defender Jurrien Timber, to take spending through the roof ahead of a friendly against the MLS All-Stars this Thursday.

But despite having ploughed heavy investment into a squad that finished second in the table last term, the Basque boss has told Sky Sports that it's still early in the transfer window – and that he may well pounce for further buys.

Arsenal latest signing Declan Rice at London Colney on July 15, 2023 in St Albans, England.

Arsenal record signing Declan Rice brought the Gunners' spending up to £200m (Image credit: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

"Let's see," Arteta said. "It's a lot of time still in the market and our expectations are in some of our players as well. So we have to see how things develop in the next couple of weeks.

"We will be alert, there's still time to do things, there's still time for exits obviously, so I'm sure things will move."

A number of players are linked with an Emirates exit but so far, Arsenal have only received one concrete offer. The Athletic's David Ornstein reported last Thursday that Turkish giants Besiktas had bid €2.5m for centre-back Rob Holding, with the north Londoners set to reject the offer. 

There are plenty of bigger fees that could be recouped this summer, however, with Folarin Balogun being one of the highest-rated players up for sale. The New York-born hitman is valued by Arsenal to be worth around £50m and of interest to Champions League runners-up, Inter Milan, following the end of their pursuit for Romelu Lukaku.

Folarin Balogun of Arsenal FC controls the ball during the pre-season friendly match between 1. FC Nürnberg and Arsenal FC at Max-Morlock Stadion on July 13, 2023 in Nuremberg, Germany.

Folarin Balogun could leave Arsenal permanently this summer in order to boost the coffers  (Image credit: Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

The likes of Thomas Partey, Nicolas Pepe, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Kieran Tierney and Charlie Patino have all been linked with exits, too.

Arsenal are believed to still be in the market for another midfielder and a right-winger to offer depth behind Bukayo Saka.

More Arsenal stories

Arsenal transfer news is ramping up this summer, with the Gunners spending £200m early in the window. 

The Gunners could be targeting two more Manchester City players, according to reports. Xavi Simons is on the radar and Ivan Fresneda could join, though Arsenal could sell £100m worth of players, too. Romeo Lavia is in the crosshairs – though Liverpool want him, tooTakehiro Tomiyasu is set for an "intriguing switch", while Moises Caicedo looks Chelsea-bound

Arsenal are believed to want another right-winger, while Gabri Veiga favours Arsenal over Spurs

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.