FOOTBALL – Arsenal will splash more cash before the summer transfer window closes, manager Mikel Arteta said, insisting the Premier League champions will not “sit still” while they prepare to defend their first English top-flight title in 22 years.
Arsenal have been relatively quiet in the market compared to big-spending rivals Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Chelsea, but the north London side have been linked with moves for Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes and Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr.
While Arteta would not be drawn on Arsenal’s reported pursuit of the pair, he told reporters on Saturday that the club were determined to “improve and evolve” the squad.
“We expect to have movements in the next few weeks, obviously,” the Spaniard added, speaking after a 4-1 preseason win over Girona.”
“We want to get better like anybody else, and you just can see the transfer market and our opponents, what we are doing. We won’t sit still and we are very ambitious with what we are doing.”
“The margins are very small. Because we want to get better and the level is going to increase. We need to increase the competition internally. We need to make sure we identify the things that we don’t have in the team.”
Arsenal have so far signed goalkeeper Illan Meslier and forward Christos Tzolis, while defender Piero Hincapie has joined permanently after spending the last season at the Emirates on loan.
They begin the defence of their Premier League title at home against promoted Coventry City on August 21.
In other development, Chelsea have signed Argentina international Valentin Barco from Ligue 1 side Strasbourg on a seven-year contract. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
The 22-year-old ace midfielder was part of the Argentina squad that lost 1-0 to Spain in last month’s World Cup final.
He spent last season at Strasbourg after the French club made his loan move from Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion permanent.
“Chelsea FC is pleased to confirm the signing of Argentinian international Valentin Barco from RC Strasbourg,” the club said in a statement.
“The versatile midfielder has signed a contract until 2033 and will join up with manager Xabi Alonso and his new team mates later in pre-season.”
Barco scored three goals and provided 11 assists in 58 appearances for Strasbourg in all competitions.
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