Arsenal have reportedly identified Real Madrid left-back Alvaro Carreras as a priority summer target, with Mikel Arteta personally driving a recruitment strategy focused on the Spanish market. According to reports in Spain and corroborated by TEAMtalk, the Gunners have also made contact with Arda Guler’s representatives and are monitoring Brahim Diaz, as the club seeks to bolster its creative depth. This significant interest in the Bernabeu squad coincides with a pursuit of 16-year-old Norwegian sensation Eirik Granaas, who recently surpassed Martin Odegaard’s record as the youngest player in Eliteserien history.
Arteta targets Real Madrid defensive and creative reinforcements
Mikel Arteta is understood to be leading the push for Carreras, 23, viewing the former Manchester United academy graduate as the long-term solution to Arsenal's fluctuating left-back situation. Real Madrid re-signed the defender for €50m in 2025, but CaughtOffside reports that Arteta is selling Carreras on a project where he would be guaranteed the consistent Premier League minutes currently unavailable to him in Madrid. Beyond the backline, Arsenal have reportedly initiated talks to gauge Arda Guler’s interest in a move. While the 19-year-old Turkish international is said to be satisfied with his current standing at Madrid, the London club remains attentive to his availability alongside Diaz, who could be allowed to leave for a fee in the region of €40m.
Strategic pivots and the search for technical depth
The sudden focus on technical profiles like Guler and Diaz follows a period of transition in North London. Despite signing Viktor Gyokeres to lead the line, the striker has endured a difficult debut season, and captain Martin Odegaard’s dip in big-game form has prompted questions regarding the squad's creative reliance on a single pivot. The move for Eirik Granaas from Odds BK signals a long-term succession plan; the teenager debuted at 15 years and 90 days, eclipsing Odegaard's previous milestone of 15 years and 118 days. This youth-focused strategy faces competition elsewhere, as Bayern Munich currently lead the race for Hertha BSC talent Kennet Eichhorn, another Arsenal target who commands a release clause between €12m and €20m.
Atletico Madrid confirm Arsenal interest in Julian Alvarez
While the Real Madrid interest dominates the headlines, Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has also acknowledged Arsenal's pursuit of striker Julian Alvarez. Speaking ahead of a Champions League semi-final, Simeone noted that it is "normal" for elite clubs like Arsenal to want the Argentine international. Adding Alvarez to a frontline that already features the club-record signing Gyokeres would represent a significant tactical shift for Arteta, who has previously relied on versatile, fluid attackers rather than multiple specialist strikers. Any potential move for the 26-year-old would require a fee substantially higher than the Diaz valuation, likely testing Arsenal's PSR limits for the upcoming window.