One player has opened the door for Arsenal to sign him this summer.
The Gunners are expected to be active in this summer’s transfer window. They need reinforcements in multiple areas of their pitch, while a number of their own players could be sold as well.
The first player Arsenal targeted in this window was Benjamin Sesko, but he snubbed Mikel Arteta’s side and decided to sign a new contract at RB Leipzig instead.
Arsenal have moved on to their other targets, but one player who the Gunners wanted to sign many years ago has now claimed that he’d be open to a move to the Emirates.
Aleksandr Golovin says he would be open to joining Arsenal
Aleksandr Golovin was heavily linked with a move to Arsenal in the summer of 2018.
The Russian, now 28, plays his football at Monaco in France. He has been there for six years now and is one of their most important players.
Golovin, branded as ‘exceptional‘ by Adi Hutter, played 25 games for Monaco in Ligue 1 in the 2023/24 season. He directly contributed to 12 goals, playing either as a number 10 or on the left wing.
In July, the talented 28-year-old will enter the final two years of his contract, and he has been talking about his future.
The Russia international has claimed that he is happier at Monaco now than he has been in recent years, so he isn’t really looking for a move away.
However, if he does leave the Stade Louis II, he says it will only be to a big club – like Arsenal, who he has a lot of ‘sympathy’ for.
He told the Express: “I like where I am now, even more than in previous years. We have the strongest [Monaco] team of all time, the coach is also the most successful.
“So, right now, I’m not thinking about switching.
“But if you move, then only to top clubs. PSG, Manchester City, Real Madrid. I would also say Arsenal, because I have always had sympathy for this club.”
What Alexander Hleb once said about Golovin joining Arsenal
Alexander Hleb was a fan favourite at Arsenal before he left them to join Barcelona.
The Belarusian has watched Golovin a lot, and back in 2018, when Arsenal were linked with a move to sign him, Hleb offered him some advice.
The former Arsenal man told Golovin to go to a club that suits him – and he claimed that he would fit in the Gunners’ system very well.
Hleb said back in 2018: “I liked him before; fast, creative, sees the field well. Every footballer wants to reach a higher level. I think that Aleksandr himself will decide where to move.
“If you want to grow, you must move forward. Monaco are a good European team, but they are not at the top. If there are offers from top clubs, then it’s time to move on and set higher goals for yourself. But you need to approach this wisely; go where the system suits your style.
“We need a team that plays beautiful combination football. And the main thing is that the coach wants to see you on the team and trusts you. We need to weigh up everything.
“Golovin would fit well into these teams, Barca and Arsenal football suits him.”