Mikel Arteta has made clear that Arsenal are still searching for top-level additions after missing out on Vinícius Júnior from Real Madrid.

The Arsenal manager said the club are “trying” to strengthen further, even after the arrival of Bruno Guimarães from Newcastle United gave the squad a timely lift. But for Arteta, the work is not done.

“That’s what we’re trying to do,” Arteta said after Sunday’s defeat to Borussia Dortmund when asked whether fans can expect more new signings.

“It has to be the right player in the market to make us much better. We are very much looking forward to that.”

Arsenal remain in a difficult position as the summer window moves towards its final weeks. They have pursued several targets openly, including Rogers and Vinícius Jr., yet the club are still not close to completing another deal.

A left winger continues to be a key priority. The departure of Leandro Trossard to Beşiktaş was balanced by the arrival of Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge, but Arsenal still appear to want a higher-level option in that area. An upgrade on Gabriel Martinelli would, in the view of the club, raise the side to another level.

Barcola is still available, although he is expected to be extremely expensive. Other possible options, including AC Milan’s Rafael Leão and Athletic Club’s Nico Williams, are also mentioned as players who may yet be available.

Defensive reinforcements are also under consideration. Arteta has already said it will be some time before William Saliba returns from a back injury, while Jurriën Timber is dealing with a groin problem and will miss the start of the season.

Ezri Konsa is understood to sit high on Arsenal’s shortlist. The Guardian reported that an opening bid has already been turned down, with Villa standing firm at $81 million (£60 million).

Real Madrid forward Endrick could be on the move again this season, with Aston Villa emerging as the front-runners for a loan deal.

After struggling to establish himself under Carlo Ancelotti and Xabi Alonso, Endrick spent the second half of the 2025-26 campaign on loan at Lyon. That spell brought a return of eight goals and eight assists in 21 appearances, offering a reminder of the quality that first made him such a prized signing.

His situation at Madrid has become more complicated this summer. The club have added further competition in backup striker Carlos Espí and winger Yan Diomande, leaving Endrick with an even harder route into the team whether he is used centrally or out wide. Mourinho told reporters, “I want a small squad, 20 players plus those who are currently injured”, a line that appears to leave room for departures before the Sept. 1 deadline.

According to AS, both Aston Villa and AS Roma have “expressed an interest” in taking Endrick on loan after his form in France last season. The report adds that Madrid still regard him as a major investment and do not want to risk lowering his value. To make a temporary move possible, they would also be prepared to help cover part of his salary, which is said to be worth more than €5 million ($5.75 million) per season.

SPORT describe Villa as the “most probable” destination. Other reports in Spain have mentioned Real Sociedad, Villarreal and Real Betis as clubs that have asked about a loan, while Endrick is said to be keen on playing in European competition.

Still only 19, he has already worked under three managers at Madrid. Once viewed as one of the brightest young forwards in the game, his stock has dropped since his near €60 million move, but the loan in France suggested there remains a high-level attacker there. The Lyon spell showed a lively forward capable of operating through the middle or from the right, and a move away could give him another chance to rebuild momentum.

Alejandro Garnacho’s first outing for Aston Villa quickly became a talking point after the winger appeared to aim a subtle message at Chelsea on social media.

Garnacho featured in Aston Villa’s 3-1 win over the Indonesia All-Stars as Unai Emery’s side opened their preseason schedule. It was his debut for the club, and he used Instagram afterwards to reflect on the occasion with a line many interpreted as a pointed reference to his former team.

“First start in three months,” Garnacho wrote on Instagram. “Happy to be enjoying football again, 1% every day. Thanks Indonesia!”

The post followed a season in which he did not start any of Chelsea’s final five Premier League matches and scored only once in the league, making his departure unsurprising. But it also fit a pattern that has followed the winger through previous moves.

Garnacho had already left Manchester United after admitting he had started to do “some bad things” towards the end of his time at Old Trafford. He also drew attention in February when, ahead of Chelsea’s Carabao Cup semifinal against Arsenal, he said, “Everyone knows how hard it is to play there. If, for example, Manchester United can beat them there, we can do it perfectly.” Chelsea then lost 1-0, and Garnacho was mocked on social media by United supporters.

Later, after Chelsea lost 1-0 to Manchester United in the Premier League, Luke Shaw posted a picture of himself knocking Garnacho to the floor. Other United players commented beneath it, adding to the sense that relations had deteriorated.

Garnacho has often generated headlines when leaving clubs, and this latest message after his Aston Villa debut will only add to that reputation. Yet the bigger issue now is his output on the pitch. United once viewed him as a major talent after his breakthrough in the 2022-23 season, but this stage of his career may depend on whether he can make the right kind of impact in 2026/27.