MIKEL ARTETA is ready to spend big money this summer to return Arsenal to the Champions League.
At the end of last season, the Spaniard was left pulling his hair out after his young Arsenal squad blew it.
Despite being in the top four for the majority of the season, they blew the opportunity to earn the additional millions from Champions League revenue with a late slump - and were pipped by bitter rivals Tottenham.
Arteta and Arsenal, who discovered they will play Crystal Palace on the first day of the Premier League season, will have to settle for the Europa League this season.
But, as he continues his summer makeover, he hopes to have a completely new side at his disposal.
Arsenal have already signed Porto midfielder Fabio Vieira for a fee of £30 million in order to compete with Premier League rivals.
Mikel Arteta's first major signing of the summer is expected to be the 22-year-old attacking midfielder.
The Gunners acted quickly to sign the exciting youngster ahead of rivals Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, and Liverpool.
Arsenal appears to be preparing to spring another Vieira on the Premier League.
And it's been 26 years since Patrick Vieira took North.
Vieira has only played two seasons for Porto's first team, but he has already drawn comparisons to Bruno Fernandes in Portugal and hopes to take the Emirates by storm.
And Arteta is hoping to be joined in attack by Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus.
They have made a £50 million bid for the Brazilian star.
The Gunners had previously bid £30 million for Jesus, 25, but are now set to match City's asking price, with the forward eager to reunite with Arteta, with whom he previously worked at the Etihad.
After losing Alexandre Lacazette, the Arsenal manager wanted to reunite with Jesus and made him one of his transfer priorities this summer.
Despite having completed a deal for Vieira, Arteta is still keen on signing Leicester midfielder Youri Tielemans, and the Belgian remains a top priority.
They are also confident that they can reach an agreement with the Foxes within the next 48 hours.
blogpay
Total Comments: 0