After a memorable 2025-2026 season, Arsenal has been able to focus all their attention on the summer transfer window. The transfer market opened from June 15, creating conditions for coach Mikel Arteta and Sporting Director Andrea Berta to continue upgrading the squad after a successful but still regrettable year.
Arsenal won their first Premier League title in 22 years, creating long celebrations throughout North London. However, they also had to accept regrettable defeats when they lost to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final and succumbed to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties in the Champions League final.
Those stumbles are seen as motivation for Arsenal to continue to improve the squad. Although the debates mainly revolve around strengthening the attack, left wing or midfield, the area where the Emirates team can invest the most is the defense.
Last season, The Gunners possessed one of the best defenses in Europe, being the team that conceded the fewest goals in both the Premier League and the Champions League. However, successive injuries have caused them no small difficulties at some important moments. Especially in the Champions League final when Cristhian Mosquera was forced to play as a right-back.
According to many sources, Arsenal has started the summer shopping campaign by completing the Piero Hincapie deal. The Ecuadorian center-back joined the team on loan from Bayer Leverkusen on the last day of the September 2025 transfer window and quickly proved his value.
The 24-year-old player made 39 appearances in all competitions in his first season at Emirates, including the Champions League final. Arsenal are said to have activated a 45 million pound buyout clause to keep Hincapie for a long time.
This deal helps the team own another quality option alongside Riccardo Calafiori before the English Super Cup match against Manchester City in August.
Not stopping there, Arsenal is also said to be close to recruiting Emmanuel Mbemba from PSG on a free transfer. The PSG U19 captain is only 18 years old this year but is highly appreciated for his development potential.
Although mainly playing as a center-back in the PSG youth team, Arsenal considers Mbemba as a long-term option for the left flank. Their plan is to take this young player to accumulate experience in Europe on loan before returning to compete for a position in the future.
Meanwhile, young talents like Cristhian Mosquera or Marli Salmon are still expected to continue to participate in Arteta's development plan. However, Ben White's future becomes a big question mark.
The English defender has continuously had physical problems recently. Although Everton is said to be interested in White, the latest knee injury makes the player's transfer potential more complicated.
Whether White stays or leaves, Arsenal still determines that the right-back is the position that needs to be urgently added. Jurrien Timber has proven his class, but his absence for many months at the end of the season shows that they need another quality option to share the burden.
Tino Livramento has emerged as Arsenal's top target. The Newcastle United defender has affirmed his ability in the Premier League and can play well on both wings.
Newcastle is currently not under pressure to sell Livramento as the player still has two years of contract. The transfer fee is estimated at around £60 million and could possibly increase further if he impresses at the 2026 World Cup.
However, Arsenal is assessed as willing to spend heavily to own the 23-year-old player. With proven quality and future development potential, Livramento is considered the ideal piece to help Arteta increase the depth of the squad and maintain the ambition to compete in all competitions next season.
