Arsenal are expected to prioritise attacking reinforcements this summer as Mikel Arteta prepares for a busy transfer window at the Emirates.
Several changes could be on the horizon in the final third. Gabriel Jesus is widely expected to move on, while Leandro Trossard is reportedly closing in on a switch to Besiktas.
There is also uncertainty surrounding Gabriel Martinelli’s future, with the Brazilian attracting interest from elsewhere.
Should those departures materialise, the Gunners would be left needing both depth and quality in their forward line, and it appears they have identified a highly-rated option in Spain.
Arsenal Monitoring Ander Barrenetxea
According to The Sun, Arsenal are weighing up a move for Real Sociedad winger Ander Barrenetxea.
The 24-year-old enjoyed a productive campaign in La Liga, registering nine goal contributions in total, scoring four times and providing five assists across 30 league appearances.
Barrenetxea also played a key role in Sociedad’s Copa del Rey success, opening the scoring in their victory over Atletico Madrid in the final.
The winger earned his first senior Spain call-up earlier this year and had been hoping to secure a place in the World Cup squad. However, an injury suffered towards the end of the season ended those hopes.
Real Sociedad are determined to keep hold of the attacker and are understood to value him at his £65 million release clause. That figure is thought to be higher than Arsenal would currently be willing to pay, although the North London club continue to monitor his situation.
A product of Sociedad’s academy, Barrenetxea also shares a connection with Arsenal boss Arteta, having emerged from the same youth system that helped shape the Gunners manager.
If a move were to materialise, the Spaniard would likely arrive as a versatile squad option capable of providing competition across multiple attacking positions rather than as an automatic starter.
