Arsenal’s 21-player summer transfer list leaked as two Spurs players included

The 21-player shortlist targeted for transfers by Mikel Arteta’s side this summer has been revealed, with raids on Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, and even both Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur planned.

According to Sami Mokbel, via BBC Sport, the Gunners compiled a 21-player shortlist this summer, featuring the likes of Morgan Rogers, Bradley Barcola, and Yan Diomande.

Chelsea, Liverpool and Real Madrid were able to secure signatures from those players ahead of Arsenal, with the Gunners’ sole attacking signing of the window arriving in Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge.

Arteta’s side even targeted three players from their London rivals: Joao Pedro from Chelsea, and both Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven from Tottenham Hotspur.

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Arsenal’s 21-player transfer shortlist revealed

Beyond Tzolis, the Gunners were also able to obtain signatures from Bruno Guimaraes, Piero Hincapie, Ezri Konsa and Illan Meslier, bolstering their defence and midfield.

Guimaraes stands tall as Arsenal’s signing of the summer, however, the club’s 20-player shortlist has revealed that Arteta was also pursuing Elliot Anderson, for a brief time.

The ex-Nottingham Forest midfielder signed for Manchester City in one of the Premier League’s most-expensive deals this summer, and Arsenal were made aware of Enzo Maresca’s interest.

As a result, Guimaraes emerged as the club’s primary focus by mid-June, accepting that Anderson’s transfer to the Cityzens was already too advanced.

Conversely, Tottenham Hotspur centre-back duo Romero and van de Ven were perceived as secondary options to begin with, in the event of Arsenal failing to secure Konsa’s services.

The former Villa man was Arteta’s first-choice defensive option, with his ability to play at right-back further alluring the Spaniard.

The Gunners’ wish came true, with Konsa signing in a deal worth £55 million; however, Villa initially rejected an offer for £40 million and appeared reluctant to part ways with the Englishman.

Mokbel’s report also revealed that Arsenal firmly believed they stood a "realistic chance" in signing Vinicius Junior from Real Madrid, before the Brazilian penned a new contract with his La Liga club.

Elsewhere, their pursuit of Julian Alvarez was one of slightly less conviction, as it became quickly apparent that the Argentine had little interest in joining the Gunners.

Additionally, Arsenal were given the option of matching Chelsea’s bid for Villa star Rogers, but refused to do so, standing firm in a valuation far below the £117 million it took from the Blues to secure his services.

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Arsenal's transfer shortlist in full

Morgan Rogers: Aston Villa

Bradley Barcola: PSG

Kenan Yildiz: Juventus

Yan Diomande: RB Leipzig

Nico Paz: Como

Eli Junior Kroupi: Bournemouth

Elliot Anderson: Nottingham Forest

Joao Pedro: Chelsea

Vinicius Junior: Real Madrid

Julian Alvarez: Atletico Madrid

Malick Fofana: Lyon

Sandro Tonali: Newcastle

Alex Scott: Bournemouth

Amadou Onana: Aston Villa

Jeremy Monga: Leicester City

Louis Page: Leicester City

Ivan Fresneda: Sporting Lisbon

Cristian Romero: Tottenham Hotspur

Mickey van de Ven: Tottenham Hotspur

Jacobo Ramon: Como

Tarik Muharemovic: Sassuolo

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