Mikel Arteta acknowledged that the transfer window was a little slower this year during his first preseason interview.
Maybe Copa America and Euro 2024 are to blame for that. Nonetheless, a number of Arsenal players, particularly in Germany, have excelled during the summer.
Kai Havertz scored twice prior to the host country being eliminated. In the same game, Bukayo Saka scored against Switzerland and converted a key penalty.
England, Bukayo, Saka, and Euro-2024
But it is not a Gunners player who is the real star. They wish he did, but he regrettably doesn’t. That is Lamine Yamal, a 17-year-old.
The stats for Lamine Yamal’s Euro 2024
The teenager has been an absolute star at the European Championships, tallying three assists and scoring a truly magnificent goal against France in the semi-finals.
Euro-2024-Yamal-LamineYamal’s statistics before the 2024 Euros.
Not only has he enthralled his country, but the continent as well. In football history, no player has ever scored a goal at a major tournament at a younger age than Yamal.
The Spaniard is Lionel Messi’s obvious successor, and Barcelona will be putting a hefty price tag on his head to deter any prospective bidders following such a breakthrough performance.
He is presently rated by Transfermarkt at €90 million (£77 million), but in the upcoming years, that figure is expected to soar.
The way Saka cuts inside onto his lethal left foot is actually rather similar to Saka’s, so you might wonder why the Spanish phenomenon matters for Arsenal’s transfer window. They have a player that is slightly more valuable that they were before considering.
Arsenal has set their sights on Florian Wirth
A few months ago, reports from Spain claimed that Real Madrid was facing competition from Arsenal and Liverpool to sign Florian Wirtz, the top player for Bayer Leverkusen.
The German was nothing short of brilliant under Xabi Alonso last season. Like Yamal, he scored in the Euros.
The attacking midfielder, who partnered with former Gunner Granit Xhaka, helped Leverkusen win the Bundesliga title without a loss by scoring 18 goals and dishing out 20 assists across all competitions.
It was a noteworthy accomplishment and, in fact, a noteworthy term for the 21-year-old, who has clearly drawn the attention of many suitors.
Although there are hints that Wirtz may stay put this summer, Arsenal or any other bidder would undoubtedly succeed in luring him away from his native country.
In comparison to those who are already at Arsenal, Saka scored 20 goals more in the previous season than any other player in the renowned red and white, and no one recorded more assists. Once again, the club’s number seven was the star player in that regard, contributing fourteen, three more than Martin Odegaard.
Scout Jacek Kulig called him a “little genius,” and when the time comes to go, he might command a hefty price.
He is worth a staggering amount, even more than Yamal, according to Transfermarkt.
Right now, that estimate is a staggering £112 million. For some context, Declan Rice, who cost them £105 million a year ago, is still valued at roughly the same amount as Saka, who is said to be worth £120 million.
Although it appears doubtful that a trade will be reached this year, Arsenal should be very interested if the player is available in 2025. He is a gifted athlete who will be a major star for many years to come.
