Who else is on Arsenal’s summer wishlist before the transfer window slams shut?

Opening their pre-season preparations with a thumping 5-0 win against the MLS all-stars in the early hours of Thursday, Arsenal certainly have a real feel-good atmosphere in their camp ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

While the Gunners might have eventually failed to dethrone Manchester City and claim a first Premier League crown since 2004, Mikel Arteta’s budding squad have their sights set on mounting another genuine title charge.

Already breaking the bank this summer as they welcomed the likes of Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber to north London, Arsenal have already made quite the statement this summer.

However, with Arteta making it clear that he is still keen on adding to his blossoming group before the window slams shut on September 1st, we have taken a look at a trio of European stars that could still be on their way to the Emirates.

Romeo Lavia – Southampton

Although Southampton might have eventually lost their Premier League status with a whimper last season, Romeo Lavia ended his breakout campaign with a host of praise and it is no surprise that the ex-Manchester City starlet is set to make an immediate top-flight return this summer.

Despite only making the move to St. Mary’s last summer for an initial fee of just £10.5million, Lavia has transformed into one of the Premier League’s most sort after young midfield stars.

Although the reigning Premier League champions might still hold a buy-back clause in Lavia’s Southampton contract, there are a string of English heavyweights who are all chasing the 19-year-old this summer.

While Liverpool might also remain heavily linked with a potential swoop for Lavia over the next six weeks, Football Insider reported last weekend that Arteta’s side are preparing an official move and have already agreed on personal terms over a long-term deal in north London.

With there continued speculation that Thomas Partey could still be heading out of the Emirates exit this summer, Lavia is seen as the perfect replacement in Arteta’s midfield.

Mohammed Kudus – Ajax

With Arteta making it clear that his plan is to recruit Europe’s elite young talent, it appears that the Gunners now have their sights set on completing what would be a real coup before the summer transfer window slams shut.

While Ajax might have come under real domestic scrutiny last season as they eventually finished 13 points adrift of Eredivisie winners Feyenoord, Mohammed Kudus was certainly the standout performer in an otherwise downbeat campaign in Amsterdam.

Although the Dutch icons might have watched Antony make the move to Manchester United last summer in a deal worth £82million, Kudus has relished his new role as Ajax’s attacking talisman.

With the likes of Dutch legend Marcos Van Basten claiming earlier in the year Kudus is an upgrade on Antony, the Ghana international notched 18 goals across all competitions and has quickly transformed into one of Europe’s hottest young prospects.

With Kudus’ representatives claiming at the end of the season that the 22-year-old is seeking a new adventure this summer, Football London are reporting that Arteta has placed Ajax’s attacking starlet as his new number-one target.

Martin Baturina – Dinamo Zagreb

While Arsenal might have welcomed the likes of Rice, Havertz and Timber to north London this month, it is no secret that Arteta is keen on snapping up Europe’s budding starlets that he can develop over the next couple of seasons.

Really impressing at the U21 European Championships this summer despite Croatia’s shortcomings, Martin Baturina has certainly attracted some heavyweight interest over the past month.

Drawing comparisons to Real Madrid superstar and Croatian icon Luka Modric, the 20-year-old playmaker featured 48 times for Dinamo Zagreb last season and also made 11 Champions League appearances in what was a breakout campaign.

Likewise, mustering 19 goal contributions for the reigning Croatian champions, The Express are reporting that Arteta is a huge fan of the Zagreb starlet and has already sent his scouts to watch Baturina on a handful of occasions.