On Sunday, Arsenal face their biggest test yet in the hunt for silverware this season, taking on Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley. A victory would deliver Mikel Arteta his first major trophy since 2020 and end the club’s long wait for League Cup glory — the Gunners have finished as runners-up three times since their last triumph in 1993, including a painful 3-0 defeat to City in 2018.
Arteta’s side remain firmly in the race for four pieces of silverware. Three more wins would secure the FA Cup, a nine-point league lead positions them strongly for the Premier League title, and Tuesday’s victory over Bayer Leverkusen has kept the dream of a maiden Champions League alive, with Sporting CP up next in the quarter-finals. Yet even amid this relentless pursuit, thoughts are already turning to the summer window — where PSR concerns may force creativity, but won’t prevent Arsenal from adding senior quality.
Two key targets are dominating the headlines, and developments this week suggest Arsenal could emerge as the big winners in a high-stakes transfer battle.
Tonali path opens up
Arsenal have long been linked with Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali, the 25-year-old Italian who has also drawn interest from Manchester United. But the Red Devils appear to have shifted their focus decisively toward Tonali’s teammate Bruno Guimarães.
Reports indicate United are in advanced discussions for the 28-year-old Brazilian, who joined Newcastle in January 2022 and remains contracted until 2028. A potential fee of around £69million has been floated for Guimarães, whose departure would represent a massive blow to Eddie Howe’s side. Juventus have monitored Tonali but are believed to lack the financial firepower to compete with Premier League clubs, potentially clearing the path for Arsenal to pursue the former AC Milan star without serious Italian competition.
That said, Newcastle are highly unlikely to sanction the exit of both midfield linchpins without a top-tier replacement already in place. The Magpies signed Tonali for £60million in 2023 and are now demanding in the region of £100million to let him go — a figure that would trigger one of the summer’s biggest bidding wars if Arsenal push forward.
The shift in United’s priorities hands Arteta a golden opportunity. Tonali’s blend of tenacity, technical quality, and leadership would add steel and creativity to Arsenal’s engine room, addressing long-standing needs in midfield depth and dynamism. With rivals redirecting their resources elsewhere, the Emirates could strike decisively — and at a price that, while steep, reflects the transformative impact such a signing could deliver.
Pio Esposito agent speaks out
Arsenal’s attacking reshuffle could also be on the cards this summer, with uncertainty hanging over the futures of Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli. One name generating serious buzz is Inter Milan’s Pio Esposito, the 20-year-old Italy international who has exploded onto the scene.
After a prolific loan spell at Spezia last season, Esposito returned to the San Siro and has already delivered eight goals across all competitions for Inter, plus three strikes in five senior caps for the Azzurri. His physical presence, finishing instinct, and aerial ability make him an intriguing long-term option up front.
Agent Mario Giuffredi has now addressed the speculation head-on, confirming Arsenal’s keen interest while delivering a pointed message about his client’s future.
“Despite Arsenal’s interest, our plans are clear,” Giuffredi told Radio CRC. “He’s happy at Inter and will be the future of the Nerazzurri for the next 10 years. The boy is in love with Inter.”
The statement is unequivocal — Inter view Esposito as untouchable, their academy gem poised to lead the line for a decade. Yet the very fact that Giuffredi felt compelled to speak publicly underscores the growing noise around the youngster. Arsenal’s scouting network has been tracking him closely, and the agent’s words, while closing the door for now, also serve as a reminder of the player’s rising stock. Should circumstances shift — a change in Inter’s priorities, or Arsenal’s persistence paying off — the Gunners remain perfectly positioned to revisit the chase.
In a summer market already heating up, Arsenal find themselves in an enviable spot. Manchester United’s pivot to Guimarães has potentially isolated Tonali as a realistic £100m target, while Esposito’s agent has inadvertently amplified the intrigue around a generational talent. Arteta’s side aren’t just chasing trophies on the pitch; they’re engineering a squad capable of dominating for years to come.
If the Gunners can navigate PSR hurdles and strike at the right moment, this window could redefine their ambitions — turning rivals’ distractions into Arsenal’s decisive advantage. The Emirates faithful have every reason to feel optimistic: the hunt is on, and the club looks ready to pounce.