Arsenal rocked by double transfer setback on eve of Champions League final

Josh Kroenke has already made it clear Arsenal will show big ambition in the summer transfer market after winning the Premier League title

Arsenal are not currently thinking about the summer transfer market as they have a Champions League final against PSG in Budapest on the agenda.

But once all is said and done in Hungary and the Gunners' stars head off to the World Cup in North America, attention will turn to strengthening the squad.

Crucial developments concerning a few of their targets have already occurred in recent days.

The first is that Julian Alvarez, the Atletico Madrid striker that Andrea Berta is keen to sign (having previously brought the Argentine to Spain), is inching closer to Barcelona.

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Sources involved in the potential deal told football.london that it's accurate that Alvarez only wants Barca amid interest from the Gunners and PSG.

A bid has now been submitted and reportedly knocked back but Alvarez has informed Atletico of his wish to join the Catalan giants.

That won't stop Diego Simeone's side from digging their heels in over a transfer fee but it's difficult to envisage Arsenal somehow winning the battle now.

Alvarez has already played in England and won two Premier League titles with Manchester City. As a South American, it's plain to see why Barcelona are of great appeal.

Outside of that, Bournemouth's Eli Junior Kroupi is a player that's appreciated by Arsenal. Must top Premier League clubs have looked at Kroupi, who hit 13 top-flight goals during his debut season with the Cherries.

However, Bournemouth sources confirmed on Thursday that they will not be selling him this summer ahead of their first-ever European campaign.

They are under no pressure to sell and want to continue building with Kroupi, Rayan and Alex Scott, who has just been offered a new contract.

Manchester City are also among a number of clubs that like Kroupi but it would take huge money, up to £85million, to prise him away from the Vitality Stadium.

It means Arsenal may have to pivot towards other names but signing a new striker is still not a necessity, anyway.

A left-winger is also of particular interest with PSG's Bradley Barcola, whom they face in the Champions League final, admired.

The Gunners would also be keen to strengthen in midfield and there's also a possibility they dip into the market at right-back.

Kroenke told NBC Sports when quizzed on summer plans: “The business never stops. So, right now there are other teams that are already trying to strengthen to come at us for next season. So we need to be aware of that.

“We’ve already had a few conversations about different areas that we think we can improve, both on and off the pitch. We are looking forward to getting that going this summer.

“It is going to be an interesting one because of the World Cup, but fortunately everybody is coming to the United States, so I don’t have to travel for once.”

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