Unai Emery says Arsenal are targeting ‘very big, very expensive’ players this summer, as the Spaniard bids to improve his squad at the Emirates ahead of the new campaign.
Youngster Gabriel Martinelli has been Arsenal‘s only addition of the close season so far, the 18-year-old winger arriving from Brazilian side Ituano FC for £6m earlier this summer.
Emery’s transfer budget was reported to be restricted to just £40 million following the club’s failure to secure Champions League football, however, the Arsenal boss insists his side are targeting ‘big’ and ‘expensive’ players as they look to improve the squad with three or four additions.
“Our target is to achieve three, four players to really improve our team and squad now,” Emery told the media in the USA. “We are being very demanding and we are also first speaking about the possibility to sign very big players, very expensive.
“The first player in our list is the first target and after, if we cannot have that then [we try to sign] the second, but thinking every time that they are going to improve our team.”
Arsenal have been strongly linked with a move for Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha and Brazil star Everton Soares, whilst the club are also believed to be interested in signing a centre-back, a left-back and midfielder.
Former Arsenal player Edu has returned to the club in a technical director role, with Emery saying talks are ongoing with the Brazilian and owner Stan Kroenke over potential targets.
“We are having a lot of meetings with the club, with [technical director] Edu, also with Josh and Stan Kroenke in Denver,” he added.
“We have a very clear idea: to sign the players who can help us with a good performance and in the positions we need.”
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