Arsenal planning £70million spending spree this week as they target Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus and Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez
- Arsenal are ready to spend £70m this week as the look to improve their squad
- The Gunners are set to return with an improved offer for striker Gabriel Jesus
- Ajax are demanding around £30m for talented defender Lisandro Martinez
Arsenal are planning a £70million spending spree this week, with Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus and highly-rated Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez top of their shopping list.
The Gunners were rebuffed in a £35m bid for City striker Jesus but are hopeful they can shake hands close to the Premier League champions’ £50m asking price.
Ajax player of the year Martinez, 24, is attracted to Mikel Arteta’s project, with the Dutch club demanding around £30m for the left-footed Argentinian defender.
Arsenal are planning a £70m spending spree, with Gabriel Jesus among their targets
The Gunners are also looking to secure the signing of Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez
Martinez is attracted to the project at Arsenal that is being overseen by manager Mikel Arteta
He would provide competition for places with Ben White and Gabriel, who labelled fans ‘ungrateful’ on Saturday for criticising the club’s decision to extend Eddie Nketiah’s deal.
The striker signed a long-term contract, ending a lengthy uncertainty over his future, and switched shirt numbers from 30 to 14, as once worn by Arsenal hero Thierry Henry.
Eddie Nketiah received criticism from some fans online after he was given the No 14 shirt
Fans voiced disquiet over the switch and defender Gabriel tweeted: ‘How can you be so ungrateful?!’
And former Arsenal striker Ian Wright said: ‘You can never call yourself an Arsenal fan with negativity of this nature. Would you say this to Eddie’s face? If not, shut up.’
Nketiah said: ‘I really like 14, you can all guess why — Thierry Henry was my favourite player growing up, my idol.’
Choosing that number might hint that Arsenal are leaving the No9 shirt clear for Jesus, who is expected to leave Pep Guardiola’s side after five years and 236 games. The Brazilian is keen to join Arsenal, despite competition from Tottenham.