Arsenal are in the market for attacking reinforcements this summer as Mikel Arteta looks to revamp his squad.
The Gunners finished second in the Premier League rankings for the third successive season as Arne Slot’s Liverpool stormed to the title in his debut campaign.
A lack of goals and injuries in attacking areas hit Arsenal hard with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus both sidelined for the majority of 2025.
With no striker brought in during the January transfer window, Arteta is determined not to make the same mistake again ahead of the 2025/26 season.
Sporting CP goal machine Viktor Gyokeres has been lined up an option multiple reports indicating Arteta could secure a deal for around £60m [$82m].
However, Arteta is also looking at other options for his front line, including Athletic Club winger Nico Williams and AC Milan star Rafael Leao.
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Rafael Leao AC Milan contract, release clause, stats
AC Milan narrowly missed out on European qualification in the final weeks of 2024/25 alongside defeat to Bologna in the Coppa Italia final.
That will impact Sergio Conceicao’s spending power this summer and the Portuguese coach may need to offload at least one big-name star to balance the San Siro accounts.
As per reports from Teamtalk, Leao has been highlighted as the club’s most sellable asset, but their current predicament means his transfer value could be slashed.
The 25-year-old’s current contract runs until 2028, but Arsenal could be offered a deal with a 20% reduction from the start of 2025, with a drop from £84m [$117m] to £67m [$90m].
Leao ended 2024/25 with his lowest goal tally since 2019/20 – with 12 scored across all competitions – but he laid on eight Serie A assists and finished in the Italian top-flight top five for key passes [58], goal-creating action [16], and successful take-ons [59].
Sporting director Andrea Berta has reportedly already reached out to Leao’s representatives over a possible move to North London but Williams also remains on the table.
The Spain international has a formal release clause of £51m [$69m] – which is significantly lower than AC Milan’s valuation of Leao – but Berta will not be dragged into a bidding war with Real Madrid if he opts to stay in Spain.
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