Arsenal prioritise centre forward and set sights on others additions | OneFootball

Arsenal’s priority position to strengthen this summer remains a new striker, although they are also determined to recruit in both defence and midfield.

That is according to a report in The Athletic on Tuesday which details the Gunners plans for adding to their squad in the upcoming transfer window.

Their strategy for the coming months is to bring in three players of sufficient quality to boost the squad, beginning with a centre forward.

Their main target in that regard remains Gabriel Jesus of Manchester City and the club are reportedly ‘optimistic’ that discussions between technical director Edu and the player’s representatives will ultimately help get a deal over the line.

Although the Brazilian is Arsenal’s number one target, suggestions that City could demand a fee of £50 million for a player with a year left on his contract may lead to Arsenal eventually looking elsewhere.

And they are prepared for that eventuality, although it is unclear if they will return for Dominic Calvert-Lewin or Alexander Isak, who were both players of interest in January.

As a result, four Serie A strikers are on their radar, namely Tammy Abraham (Roma), Lautaro Martínez (Inter), Victor Osimhen (Napoli) and Gianluca Scamacca (Sassuolo).

In secondary attacking positions, Sparta Prague forward Adam Hložek and Cody Gakpo at PSV are both admired, although it is suggested that such additions would require a departure, with Nicolas Pépé the likeliest candidate in that regard.

Elsewhere, Arsenal want to bring in a left-sided centre-back if a viable opportunity presents itself but that is also contingent on a decision being reached on where William Saliba’s future lies next season.

In midfield, Youri Tielemans of Leicester remains the Gunners’ top target and they are hopeful he could be secured for a fee in the region of £25m as he has just one year remaining on his contract at the King Power Stadium, with the asking price for Rúben Neves likely proving to be too high.

Finally, a signing at full-back has also been mooted but again may depend on departures, with versatile Scotland international Aaron Hickey of Bologna the leading candidate in that area.