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AMBITIOUS ARSENAL

Arsenal transfer news: Gunners ‘to launch £70m double swoop for Sporting Lisbon stars Gelson Martins and William Carvalho’

Arsenal pressing ahead with their summer spending and are also close to landing Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette

Arsenal are planning a £70million double raid on Sporting Lisbon for William Carvalho and Gelson Martins.

Portuguese outlet A Bola claim the Gunners are prepared to spend big this summer in a bid to reclaim a Champions League spot next season.

William Carvalho is on Arsene Wenger’s summer shopping list

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William Carvalho is on Arsene Wenger’s summer shopping list

Gelson Martins is another Portuguese star on Arsenal radar

Getty Images
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Gelson Martins is another Portuguese star on Arsenal radar

Arsene Wenger wants to beef up his midfield options with Carvalho, who has been linked with a move to the Premier League for the last four years during his time in Portugal.

Wenger saw his side lose too many midfield battles last term, with Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka struggling to live up to his £30m billing since joining from Borussia Moenchengladbach last summer.

Carvalho, 25, was close to joining Manchester United before the departure of David Moyes in 2014.

The Portuguese international has also been linked with a switch to Manchester City this summer as Pep Guardiola looks to reshape his Etihad squad ahead of his second season in England.

Martins, 22, who bagged seven goals in 43 appearances in all competitions for Sporting last season, could prove a useful addition at the Emirates with his ability to operate as a winger or full-back.

The Gunners have already added Sead Kolasinac from Schalke on a free transfer and are close to sealing a deal for Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette for £44m.

Granit Xhaka has been caught up in a race storm amid allegations of an incident at Heathrow Airport

Reuters
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It was a mixed first season at Arsenal for Granit Xhaka

Arsene Wenger wants to add the Leicester playmaker to his squad

PA:Press Association
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Arsene Wenger is prepared to spend big this summer

Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette could become a record buy for Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger

PA:Press Association
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Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette could become a record buy for Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger

Arsenal are still in the hunt for Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez but are fighting to keep hold of Olivier Giroud, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Alexis Sanchez.

The Chile forward, who will take a short break after his country lost in the final of the Confederations Cup to Germany, claims he has already decided where h ewill play next season.

The 28-year-old has had plenty of opportunity to pledge his future to Arsenal while speculation links him with a big move to Manchester City or Bayern Munich.