David Ornstein drops the transfer news every Arsenal fan wants to hear and names top target in huge update

Arsenal's business in the summer transfer window may not be over just yet.

The Gunners have so far brought in defender Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna for a fee of up to £42 million plus add-ons.

They also completed the permanent signing of first-choice goalkeeper David Raya from Brentford on a long-term deal, with a fee of around £27 million being widely reported.

Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu's priority, however, has been to recruit another midfielder.

Mikel Merino, who impressed with Spain at Euro 2024, is on the verge of making a switch to North London, with Real Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay confirming talks.

In fact, after arranging a meeting with Arsenal chiefs in order to reach a definitive agreement for the transfer, Aperribay is currently in London to close the sale, according to Mundo Deportivo.

With a deal to sign Merino reportedly close, it appears Arsenal are also in the market for a winger.

That's according to The Athletic's David Ornstein, who says the club are 'looking for a backup' with only days remaining of the summer window.

Speaking on Duncan Castles' The Transfers Podcast, Ornstein opened up Arsenal's current situation.

"Arsenal, are in this quite strange position with their wide players in that they're looking for a backup who will be happy being a backup, yet will still contribute to the effect that would help them win trophies and compete for major honours," he said.

"That’s almost like your Harry Kane dilemma at Tottenham, who comes in to be understudy to the main man. Now of course there will be injuries and we’ve seen that less so with [Bukayo] Saka and more a little bit [Gabriel] Martinelli but when they are fit, they play, it's tough.

"They have got [Leandro] Trossard who can fill in and sometimes starters as first choice and you know they will be looking at players and it’s just not easy at all."

Image credit: Getty

Ornstein went on to name Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams as someone Arsenal "really like" after they missed out on another favourite, Pedro Neto.

"In the past there was Pedro Neto, who the Arsenal decision makers were big fans of, they made offers but he is now at Chelsea," he continued.

"The one that Mikel Arteta and those involved at Arsenal really like is Nico Williams at Athletic Bilbao. He’s the apple of everybody's eye. Barcelona, Chelsea, anyone who could get hold of him would. We saw why at the Euros in particular to the wider audience.

"The problem is that he is already on a really high wage which will only increase when he it comes to a country and league such as England and the Premier League and a release clause in his contract with Bilbao will need to be paid in full.

"Very few players leave there and it would appear that he’s going to be staying, so it is possible that Arsenal bring somebody in for that position before the window shuts if they can find the deal and they’re still in this process of moving players on as well."