The 2024 Copa America is here, so Arsenal Insider has looked at six players for boss Mikel Arteta to have the Gunners scout in view of a transfer in the summer window.
It has been a slow start to the sales in N5 this summer thanks to the timing of Euro 2024 and the Copa America. But international action also offers Arsenal a chance to scout their targets and see how those Arteta is interested in having at Emirates Stadium fare in different teams.
Arsenal are in the market for a wide range of new players this summer after missing out on the Premier League title by two points. Fresh faces are desired in the defence, midfield and offence in north London. Arteta could even have to also sign a goalkeeper in the off-season.
The 2024 Copa America, then, could be key to how Arsenal tackle the transfer market with a few targets due to represent their nations in the United States. Only two Arsenal players are due to play at the tournament through Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli with Brazil.
So, with that in mind, Arsenal Insider looks at six players Arteta can have the Gunners scout during the 2024 Copa America as Arsenal bid to improve their squad in the transfer market.
Lautaro Martinez (Argentina)
Arteta is keen to sign a new centre-forward this summer and one attacker whom Arsenal are interested in is Lautaro Martinez. Reports by Calciomercato.it noted that the Gunners added the Argentina striker to their shortlist in May after scoring 24 goals over 33 Serie A outings.
Martinez also laid on six assists and finished the term with a total of 34 goal contributions in 44 appearances. Now, he is in the USA as Martinez and Argentina strive to add to their 2022 World Cup at the Copa America. La Albiceleste are also the defending champions from 2021.
But while Arsenal are interested in Martinez’s transfer, the Gunners are fighting against Inter Milan’s attempts to have their captain sign a new contract. Sky Italia notes all that is missing is for the 26-year-old to put his signature to a five-year deal worth €9m-a-year (£146k-a/w).
Bruno Guimaraes (Brazil)
Another position Arteta wants sporting director Edu to prioritise is his midfield, with Arsenal intensifying their interest in Bruno Guimaraes. According to Football Transfers, the Emirates Stadium outfit view the Newcastle United star as a leading target and are working on a deal.
READ MORE: Every Arsenal player at the 2024 Copa America and how to watch in the UK
Arsenal are loath to pay the £100m release clause Newcastle put in Guimaraes’ contract last October. But the north London natives hope the Toon’s financial problems will open a route to sign the 26-year-old, who hit seven goals and eight assists in 37 Premier League games.
Copa America now presents Arsenal with not only a new chance to scout Guimaraes but the opportunity for Martinelli and Gabriel to convince the Newcastle star about a transfer while in the Brazil camp. The Selecao will face Costa Rica, Paraguay and Colombia during Group D.
Raphinha (Brazil)
Brazil’s Copa America fixtures also offer Arteta the chance to scout an attacking target with Arsenal interested in signing Raphinha of FC Barcelona. GiveMeSport has linked the Gunners with a fresh chase of the winger at Arteta’s request but Arsenal may have to rival Newcastle.
Eddie Howe has asked Newcastle to target Raphinha as his priority but Barcelona have a big asking price. Sport notes that the Camp Nou giants have already rejected a rejected a €60m (£51m) bid from an unnamed Premier League club as Barcelona want at least €80m (£68m).
Raphinha may prove to Arsenal or Newcastle why his transfer is worth so much at the 2024 Copa America. The 27-year-olds head to the USA after offering Barcelona six goals and nine assists in 28 La Liga appearances. He also influenced seven goals in the Champions League.
Santiago Gimenez (Mexico)
The 2024 Copa America also offers Arteta the chance to have another striker target scouted with Arsenal interested in Santiago Gimenez. After Benjamin Sesko signed a new contract at RB Leipzig, the Evening Standard noted that Gimenez was emerging as an alternative target.
READ MORE: Who is Arsenal transfer target Santiago Gimenez? Everything to know
Gimenez will represent Mexico at the Copa America after a scintillating season with 23 goals in 30 Eredivisie appearances for Feyenoord. He also hit six assists and finished the term with 34 goal contributions in 41 outings. HITC reports that Tottenham Hotspur also like Gimenez.
Spurs have also already tested the waters to sign Gimenez, whom Feyenoord value at £42m. The 23-year-old, who was born in Argentina, will now look to prove his worth in the USA for El Tri. Mexico will face Jamaica, Venezuela and Ecuador during Group B at the Copa America.
Jonathan David (Canada)
An impressive showing at the 2024 Copa America with Canada might also tempt Arsenal to advance their interest in Jonathan David. Reports by HITC in March noted that the Gunners had checked the 24-year-old out. iNews also now claims he can leave LOSC Lille for £25m.
But iNews also adds that Manchester United have made contact with David’s agent to sound out his interest in a transfer. Aston Villa, Tottenham and West Ham United also admire what the New York-born forward could offer in the Premier League after a 19-goal Ligue 1 season.
David had a slow start to the season with two goals in his first 12 French top-flight matches. But the attacker briefly adopted Lille’s captaincy in November and scored 17 times through his next 22 outings. David will now strive to help Canada against Argentina, Peru and Chile.
Alphonso Davies (Canada)
Canada also have another player who can catch Arsenal’s eye at the Copa America in Bayern Munich defender Alphonso Davies. The Gunners are likely to be in the market for a left-back after Oleksandr Zinchenko failed to keep Takehiro Tomiyasu or Jakub Kiwior out of their side.
Davies is not currently a target for Arsenal but has an uncertain future at Bayern Munich as Real Madrid explore his transfer. The 23-year-old will enter the final year of his contract on July 1 and The Athletic notes that Der FCB blocked sporting director Max Eberl’s new terms.
Eberl offered Davies a four-year contract with a gross yearly wage of circa €14-16m (£228-260k-a/w), plus a signing bonus. The 2019/20 Champions League winner even accepted the offer. But Bayern Munich chiefs then refused to approve the deal for the Canada speedster.