Arteta identifies ‘perfect’ Barca star he needs to take club

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong is said to have been identified as a target for Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta for next summer’s transfer window.

The Gunners will hope that their 1-0 victory on Sunday against Manchester United can be the beginning of a successful Premier League campaign.

New signings like Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi made their competitive domestic debuts for the Londoners, and they have been part of a summer overhaul totalling nearly £200m.

Arteta could make further additions this summer, though given the meticulous nature of the Spaniard’s approach, it would not be surprising if he was already drawing up plans for future transfer windows.

Fichajes report that the Arsenal manager is planning on signing De Jong from Barcelona next summer, when his contract expires, and that he sees the midfielder as a ‘perfect’ signing.

Does Frenkie de Jong make sense for Arsenal and Arteta?

Arsenal signed Zubimendi to play at the base of midfield, and the 26-year-old is likely to be a mainstay in the XI for years to come.

Declan Rice was originally deployed as a number six when he joined the club in 2023, but he has since excelled as a number eight, and he is unlikely to be dropped for De Jong.

The Barca man would also face difficulties taking Martin Odegaard’s spot considering the Norwegian is the club’s captain.

De Jong may also not be the best fit for Arsenal’s needs considering the Gunners have at times struggled creatively, and while the Dutchman is an excellent passer, he is not a final third specialist having registered four or fewer assists in each of his past seven league campaigns.

Will Arteta still be in charge next summer if he fails to win the Premier League?

Arteta has consistently shown that he can challenge for the Premier League title, but after finishing second for three consecutive seasons, pressure is mounting on the Spaniard.

Failure to win the title this term could see questions raised about his position as boss, especially as the club’s last trophy was the FA Cup in 2020.

Striker Gyokeres struggled to make an impact against Manchester United, completing just four passes while failing to produce a single shot, and his performance has raised concerns about his suitability for Arteta’s system.

If the Arsenal head coach does not get the best out of his players in 2025-26, then he could find himself under significant pressure before the 2026-27 season.

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