Transfer news: Every Premier League club's plans for summer window 2026

Arsenal want to invest again in their first XI ahead of next season and, as champions, will target top quality that can improve on what they already have.

Left wing and central midfield are the priorities – but there are other positions that could be strengthened depending on outgoings. Arsenal are on a drive to be financially sustainable, so there will need to be some sales to make sure the books are balanced.

One of Arsenal's top targets over the last year has been Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez. He remains hugely admired at the Emirates, but Atletico have shown their determination to keep him by ridiculing attempts from Barcelona and Real Madrid. The player, if he does leave, prefers a move to Barca.

So Arsenal will likely have to target someone else who can predominantly play on the left wing, and they have been stepping up interest in Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers, although his future will not be determined until after the World Cup with England.

Arsenal like Anthony Gordon but were content to see him go to Barcelona and, while an ideal target, Kvicha Kvaratskhelia is expected to remain at Paris Saint-Germain. Arsenal are understood to have watched his club-mate Bradley Barcola and Yan Diomande at RB Leipzig, as well as Eintracht Frankfurt's Jean-Matteo Bahoya. They are also one of the admirers of Bournemouth forward Junior Kroupi.

In central midfield, Arsenal are in the mix for all the top players such as Sandro Tonali, Elliot Anderson - who is closing in on a move to Manchester City - Adam Wharton and others, although a clear first-choice target is unknown.

Anything further is likely to be dependent on which members of the Arsenal squad have interest from elsewhere and indicate they may want to go for more games. However, the club might also look for a young defender who is versatile enough to cover a number of positions at the back, regardless of sales.

Back in the Champions League, Aston Villa need to freshen their squad and add more numbers but are likely to have to sell a major name or two to stay in line with UEFA's financial rules.

That person looks most likely to be Morgan Rogers. He has the highest value in the squad (at least £80m) and has serious interest from Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain.