David Ornstein has revealed Arsenal’s transfer priorities this summer.
The well respected BBC Sport journalist has been discussing Unai Emery’s recruitment plans, and is anticipating a busy summer of activity at the Emirates.
Ornstein believes much of Arsenal’s transfer plans will depend on whether they secure qualification for next season’s Champions League, with the club needing to beat Chelsea in the Europa League final on May 29 to return to Europe’s premier competition.
According to Ornstein, Emery’s priorities are a central defender and a box-to-box midfielder, with a replacement needed for the departing Aaron Ramsey.
Ornstein told BBC Radio 5 Live Sport: “Despite still waiting to appoint a technical director, sporting director, director of football, they have identified targets and conversations are underway.
“They’re looking for experience and youth in their recruitment. Their priorities are a central defender and a box-to-box midfielder.
“Previously in January they came close to a deal for Christopher Nkunku from PSG. This is of course is to replace Aaron Ramsey.
“Adrien Rabiot is among the players they’ve tried to sign in the past and have a long-standing interest in but he’s quite a complex individual and has had some issues off the pitch.
“As a secondary brief they’d be looking at a wide forward. In January they came close to a deal for Ivan Perisic and had interest in Yannick Carrasco.
“Possibly a centre forward with Danny Welbeck leaving. Eddie Nketiah would then go out on loan if they brought a centre forward in.
“There is interest in bringing in a left back and possibly a right back, but again, those are secondary to the central defender and box-to-box midfielder.”
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