Arsenal latest: Mikel Arteta told crucial player 'could be gone' as £59m transfer update emerges

Arsenal's summer transfer plans may have suffered a setback

As Arsenal's quest for silverware continues on the pitch, they have also found themselves at the centre of transfer speculation away from it. The Gunners took on Bayer Leverkusen in their Champions League last-16 quarter-final tie on Tuesday evening.

But there will be little time to rest for Mikel Arteta's squad, as focus now shifts to a monumental Carabao Cup final clash with Manchester City this Sunday. It offers Arteta the opportunity to win his first piece of silverware since lifting the FA Cup in 2020, which came in his first season at the helm.

The Spaniard’s project has continued to evolve since then, with Arsenal also the favourites to claim the Premier League title this season. They stretched their advantage over City at the top to nine points following their recent hard-earned 2-0 victory against Everton.

football.london now takes a look at two of the biggest stories surrounding the north London club.

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Kvaratskhelia transfer verdict

Arsenal are reportedly set to miss out on one of their main transfer targets this summer. The Gunners have in recent weeks been linked with a potential move for Paris Saint-Germain winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

The 25-year-old completed a £59million transfer from Napoli to PSG in January 2025 and clinched both the Champions League and Ligue 1 titles in that same campaign, eliminating Arsenal from the former in the process. His dazzling dribbling skills and finishing ability have drawn attention, with the Gunners also interested due to their pressing need for a world class left winger.

However, Fabrizio Romano has now claimed Kvaratskhelia is expected to stay at PSG this summer. According to Romano, the French champions see the Georgian as an integral part of their team and will not entertain any bids for him under any circumstances.

Romano also acknowledged that Arsenal admire the player, though he did not specify whether they were contemplating making an offer.

Odegaard's successor named

Rio Ferdinand believes Max Dowman could soon replace Gunners captain Martin Odegaard in the starting eleven. The 16-year-old Dowman made a huge impact as a substitute against Everton at the weekend, providing an assist and scoring his first goal for the club.

The Hale End academy product played on the wing but is often deployed more centrally in the youth teams, indicating that his future role could be as an attacking midfielder under Arteta. This position is, of course, usually filled by Odegaard.

The Gunners skipper has missed the last five matches following a knee injury. His performances, even before this recent setback, had been notably underwhelming over the past two seasons.

Former Manchester United defender Ferdinand has now stated that Odegaard could find himself increasingly on the periphery even after his return to fitness thanks to the teenage wonderkid’s ascension, even suggesting he could be sold to make way.

Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents, the pundit said: "You know Odegaard might not get a game now. Seriously, your captain might be gone. You’ve got Dowman who can play his position, Eberecchi Eze can play his position. Bukayo Saka can play his position and go in there and go central. It’s mad."

When asked how Arteta should use his latest attacking weapon during the title run-in, Ferdinand responded: "Just continue what he’s been doing this week. Dipping him in, just keep giving him 15 or 20 minutes. Just keep putting him in because there’s no substitute for that confidence and what that can do as an injection of energy into your team."

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