Arsenal are on the trail of a shock wonderkid signing, with Mikel Arteta wanting to strengthen his squad further.
Excluding loans, the Gunners only added three major signings over the summer, in one of the club’s more modest transfer windows of late. Riccardo Calafiori was the headline acquisition from Bologna, with Mikel Merino signing from Real Sociedad and David Raya’s loan move from Brentford being turned permanent.
It is understood that Arsenal are still looking for reinforcements, though – and with sporting director Edu Gaspar departing, Mikel Arteta could have more of a say in the transfer window.
Arsenal in for top Southampton starlet
Edu’s exit means that things are changing at Arsenal. Arteta has the title of ‘manager’ at the club, rather than ‘head coach’, highlighting his role in the backroom team as well as on the training pitch.
Arsenal have made major efforts to integrate youth under the Basque boss – ranked at no.4 in FourFourTwo’s list of the best managers in the world right now – this season handing minutes to Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly from the club’s Hale End academy.
But now, one leftfield move has presented itself, too. Spanish outlet Fichajes says that Arsenal are chasing Southampton star, Shea Charles, currently on loan at Sheffield Wednesday.
The 21-year-old is said to be “in line with Mikel Arteta’s vision”, with the report noting that his “style of play, marked by a perfect balance between defence and creation, makes him a highly sought-after, complete midfielder.”
