Nacho Monreal tells Arsenal to avoid transfer 'mistake' and names two dream signings

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Bradley Barcola would be dream signings for Arsenal, says Nacho Monreal (Picture: Getty)

Nacho Monreal says Paris Saint-Germain duo Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Bradley Barcola would be at the top of his wishlist if he was in charge of Arsenal’s transfer dealings this summer.

Determined not to rest on their laurels on the back of the club’s Premier League title triumph, Arsenal are exploring various avenues and leads with a view to strengthening their first-team squad for the new season.

Piero Hincapie became Arsenal’s first piece of summer business

a fortnight ago, with the Gunners exercising their option to sign the versatile defender for £34.5million following an initial loan.

The English champions are also expected to announce the arrival of free agent Illan Meslier

over the coming days.

Meslier’s contract with

Leeds United

expired last month and it’s understood the 26-year-old goalkeeper underwent a medical with Arsenal on Tuesday to come in as back-up for

David Raya

.

Wow (Picture: Getty)

But the north London giants have far more ambitious plans for the transfer window and widespread reports indicate that Bruno Guimaraes could be set for a big-money switch to the Emirates before too long.

Guimaraes has informed Newcastle of his desire to join Arsenal

and Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta are believed to be doing everything in their power to prise the Brazil midfielder away from St James’ Park.

Monreal and Arteta were team-mates at Arsenal for four years (Picture: Getty)

Guimaraes has told Newcastle he wants to join Arsenal this summer (Picture: Getty)

It comes after Arsenal splashed out in excess of £250m on transfer fees 12 months ago, with Martin Zubimendi, Eberechi Eze, Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga all arriving through the doors.

While greatly encouraged by last year’s dealings, Monreal believes the club must be similarly ambitious in this summer’s transfer market in order to build on the success they have achieved under Arteta.

According to the former Arsenal and Spain full-back, left wing should be viewed as a priority after a mixed campaign for both Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli.

‘Arsenal have a very good squad. That’s why they won the

Premier League

last season. But if I would have to sign one player or a player for a specific position, I would say Arsenal maybe needs to improve the left winger,’ Monreal told

BetBrothers

The Gunners must bring in support and competition for Trossard and Martinelli, says Monreal (Picture: Getty)

‘I love Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli. I think they are really good players, excellent players, but look at the level of

Bukayo Saka

on the right hand side.

‘Look at Declan Rice, the centre-backs. I have faith in Viktor Gyokeres too.

‘I think they have a great squad, but that position can be improved.’

Barcola and Kvaratskhelia would be at the top of Monreal’s wishlist (Picture: Getty)

Monreal picked out Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams as the kind of winger who could come in and prove themselves to be a ‘great signing’ for Arteta.

However, he has some concerns over his fellow countryman’s injury woes and believes one of Barcola or Kvaratskhelia would be a dream addition for the left flank.

‘Nico Williams, when he’s fit, he can make the difference in any game. His last season was not good enough. He had a lot of problems, injury problems. He was out. He missed many, many games, Monreal added.

Arteta ended Arsenal’s 22-year wait for a league title last season (Picture: Getty)

‘You can see now even in the World Cup, he’s not playing because of the injuries. But he would be a great signing for Arsenal, of course.

‘Maybe if I was the Arsenal Sporting Director, maybe I would try for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia or Bradley Barcola, then you get stronger and they get weaker!

‘But Nico Williams, when he’s fit, he’s really, really good. He’d be great at Arsenal.’

Monreal won three FA Cups with the Gunners (Picture: Getty)

Despite captaining Arsenal to a first Premier League title in 22 years last term, the future of Martin Odegaard has been the subject of some speculation in recent weeks.

Recent reports indicated that Odegaard could be deemed surplus to requirements, with the Gunners willing to negotiate a potential sale if they receive a suitable offer.

But Monreal feels his former club would be making a grave ‘mistake’ were they to allow the Norway international to leave given the obvious ‘quality’ he has in his locker.

It would be a ‘mistake’ for Arsenal to sell Odegaard, says Monreal (Picture: Getty)

‘Martin Odegaard leaving would be a mistake,’ Monreal – who won three FA Cup titles with Arsenal – explained.

‘Of course he has had injuries and missed many games, but he’s the captain and we know quality that he has

‘There are not many players in the Premier League who can control the tempo of the game like he does. So I think he’s gonna stay, yes, this squad will stay together and keep winning.’

Gyokeres scored 14 league goals in his debut season at Arsenal (Picture: Getty)

Turning his attentions to one of Arsenal’s high-profile signings of last summer, Monreal said he was confident fans were yet to see the best from £64m arrival Gyokeres.

Monreal has been impressed by Gyokeres’ work ethic and is confident the Swede can add more goals to his game in his second season with the club.

‘Gyokeres can improve next season and I think he will,’ he added.

‘We cannot compare the Portuguese League with the Premier League. The Premier League and Spanish League, they are the best leagues in the world, the most competitive.

‘He did so well in Portugal because the level is lower than the Premier League. Gyokeres was good last season, but I think people expected a bit more from him, especially in terms of numbers.

‘I like how he plays, how he fights for the team. But I would like him to score more goals. He’s the striker of the best team in the league and I think this season he’s gonna do a bit better in terms of numbers.’

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