Who Arsenal could pursue after missing out on Vinicius Jr
Arsenal, based in north London, were unsuccessful in their pursuit of Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr during the summer transfer window, an outcome reported on 10 August 2026. The club have, however, completed the £75m signing of Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes and remain active in the market.
Guimaraes was described in the coverage as a follow-up to Arsenal’s recent "win now" signings, alongside Martin Zubimendi and Viktor Gyokeres from last summer, with the Brazilian expected to raise competition and levels within the squad. Manager Mikel Arteta was asked about further additions and said: "Well, that's what we're trying to do. If we have the right player in the market to make us much better." Arsenal will start the season with Jurrien Timber and William Saliba injured, increasing the urgency to complete business before the deadline. Christos Tzolis was signed from Club Brugge to replace the outgoing Leandro Trossard after scoring 22 goals and providing 29 assists in all competitions last season for the Belgian side.
Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz has been monitored as a potential left-sided option; the 21-year-old Turkey international scored 11 goals and registered 10 assists in 47 appearances last season. Opta data cited in the report places only Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes (98) and Werder Bremen’s Romano Schmid (77) ahead of Yildiz for open-play chances created in Europe's top five leagues, while only Vinicius (43) created more chances after carrying the ball than Yildiz (37). Yildiz has signed a new four-year deal and sources indicate Juventus are unwilling to sell him.
Other wide targets mentioned include Paris St-Germain’s Bradley Barcola, for whom PSG are demanding more than £100m and who has reported interest from Liverpool, and Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams, described in the report as having a contract until 2035 with suggestions of a release clause. Williams completed 43.8% of his 153 dribbles last season, scored six goals and registered three assists, and averaged 8.2 dribbles per 90 in La Liga; only Lamine Yamal, Kevin and Jeremy Doku averaged more in Europe's top five leagues. The report notes concerns over availability, injury history and potential cost when assessing such targets.
In defence, Arsenal have been linked with Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa, who can operate at centre-back and right-back and is valued at around £60m, and with Tottenham captain Cristian Romero, a player for whom Atletico Madrid are also reported to be interested. The coverage states Spurs are unlikely to want to strengthen a rival, suggesting a Romero move would be difficult to complete. The club’s need for immediate defensive options is underlined by the injuries to first-choice defenders.
Up front, the piece reflects continued interest in Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez, who has already played in the Premier League for Manchester City and is reportedly also a target for Barcelona. The report recalls Viktor Gyokeres’s contribution last season — he scored 21 goals in all competitions after his summer arrival — while noting there remain questions about his technical suitability to the Arsenal attack.
Arsenal are attempting to balance the books: Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Reiss Nelson are available for transfer if offers match the club’s valuation, while Denmark midfielder Christian Norgaard has already departed for Everton and there is no clear pathway for academy graduate Ethan Nwaneri. The club have added Bruno Guimaraes, Christos Tzolis and former Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier as back-up while they finalise further moves.
With two key defenders injured and the transfer window still open, the report concludes that Arsenal face a busy run-up to the deadline as they look to finalise further signings before the window closes.
