Arsenal transfer news: Gunners ready to sign THREE stars before new boss arrives
ARSENAL are ready to splash the cash this summer, before their new manager is appointed.
Arsene Wenger’s replacement at the Emirates will likely be named in the coming weeks, with Arsenal hopeful to have a new boss before the World Cup starts.
And according to The Sun, the Gunners are pressing ahead with their transfer plans, despite waiting on Wenger’s replacement.
They say Arsenal are closing in on Bundesliga trio Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Caglar Soyuncu and Bernd Leno.
Borussia Dortmund centre-half Papastathopoulos has just 12 months remaining on his current deal, with the Greek international available for just £15m.
Soyuncu, 21, has impressed for Freiburg this season, but the Gunners face competition from Manchester City for the defender.
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Arsenal are ready to splash the cash this summer before their new manager is appointed
Bayer Leverkusen keeper Leno, meanwhile, is keen to join Arsenal this summer to replace Petr Cech, 35.
The Sun add that the trio will cost Arsenal around £75m, with the Gunners hoping to wrap up the three deals by early June.
However, official announcements could be delayed until Wenger’s replacement is confirmed.
Arsenal head of recruitment Sven Mislintat is the driving force behind the three deals.
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The former Dortmund scout, who knows Papastathopoulos, Soyuncu and Leno from his time in the Bundesliga, no longer answers to Wenger following the Frenchman’s departure.
Ex-Arsenal ace Mikel Arteta is the favourite to replace Wenger at the Emirates this summer.
Juventus' Max Allegri and former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique have been linked with the job but it seems City coach Arteta is Arsenal's No 1 choice.