At A Glance:
- Arsenal still have plenty of work to do in the summer.
- Fabrizio Romano has listed a new winger as among the positions required.
- A Premier League star is reportedly on their radar.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal fluffed their chance at winning their first trophy of the 2025/26 season on Sunday as Manchester City ran out triumphant in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium.
Nico O’Reilly bagged twice – on the hour mark in the 64th minute – as the Gunners failed to lift silverware for the first time in six years.
In terms of Arsenal, though, there is no shortage of work to be done behind the scenes in terms of recruiting new players.
It’s the time of year that clubs start to turn their attentions to how they will reinforce their squad in the summer and Arteta and his north Londoners are no exception. And that’s despite them fighting on all fronts.
Rayan’s release clause revealed as Arsenal among the winger’s suitors
Speaking on his YouTube channel, journalist Fabrizio Romano revealed that Arsenal are hoping to recruit at least three senior players this summer – and he outlined which positions are of interest.
Romano named at least one midfielder, a young right back and also a new winger.
Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United and Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez are among those who the Gunners have en eye on as we near the summer trading period, as is Bournemouth winger Rayan.
Brazilian publication RTI Esporte, via The Metro, have suggested that Rayan has plenty of keen admirers after his signature.
Manchester United and Arsenal – alongside Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain – are keeping tabs on the uncapped international.
Read More: The five Arsenal players who have withdrawn from March international duty
The tricky 19-year-old moved to the Vitality Stadium in January from Vasco da Gama and has already established himself as a young and promising wide man. As a result, he’s earned his first Brazil call-up.
Reports have suggested that any would-be buyer can trigger his release clause of €100 million to lure him away from the south coast.
Bournemouth will not want to let the teenage sensation leave for cheap, especially given that he is under contract until the summer of 2031. He put pen to paper on a four-and-a-half year deal in the winter months.
Rayan speaks out after maiden Brazil call-up
“We know there’s a lot of competition, especially in the Brazilian national team, which has more titles than any other country. I just have to do my job and work hard. I hope to be called up for the World Cup, to be here with the national team,” Rayan told CBF.
“God willing, in two or three months, I want to be playing in a World Cup and win it, which is the greatest dream of any player.
“I’m a player with a lot of mobility; regardless of the role, mobility is a big part of my game,” he said explaining what qualities he brings.
Unsure on how much game time he will earn given the competition in the centre-forward berth, Rayan explains that his long-range shooting could be invaluable.
“I hope to do that for the national team as well. In my game, I also have a strong header and long-range shooting. There’s a lot of competition for the striker position, but I hope to keep working hard. Everything will work out,” the Cherries star concluded.
A left-footed dynamite on the right? What Rayan would bring to Arsenal
Versatile enough to play anywhere along the front line, Rayan’s best position is on the right flank – and that is where Bukayo Saka, one of Arsenal’s most important players, plies his trade.
Off the right, Rayan can cut inside onto his powerful left foot and take shots on goal.
For too long, the Gunners have lacked a high-level alternative to Saka and Rayan could provide that alongside a chaotic element (his fierce strikes from distance) to Arteta’s side’s final-third exploits.
The fact that he can also into a centre-forward role proves there are many layers to what the Rio de Janeiro-born star can provide. He’d be a shrwed buy – but €100 million does seem a tad steep.
