Report: Mikel Arteta is now pushing for the signing of an ‘incredible’ £85m player to increase competition for key duo.

Report: Mikel Arteta sets sights on £85m star to bolster Arsenal’s defense and challenge key players.

Mikel Arteta has expressed his desire for Arsenal to pursue the signing of an ‘incredible’ £85m player in order to intensify

Arsenal is gearing up for a potentially eventful summer transfer window, with Mikel Arteta expressing a strong desire to secure the services of one of Europe’s most highly regarded defenders.

The Gunners are determined to prioritize quality over quantity in their recruitment strategy this summer. After narrowly missing out on the Premier League title to Manchester City for the second consecutive year, Arteta is leaving no stone unturned in his pursuit of success.

To bridge the gap and surpass City next season, Arsenal recognizes the importance of acquiring players who can either seamlessly slot into the starting lineup or exert significant pressure on the existing key players.

Reports from Portugal indicate that Arsenal has expressed a strong interest in acquiring one of Benfica’s standout players. Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, reportedly desires to bring defender Antonio Silva to the club.

Silva is highly regarded as one of the top defenders in Portugal at present and his transfer could potentially command a significant fee.

According to the report, Benfica has made it clear to Arsenal and other interested parties that Silva’s price tag will be no less than 100 million Euros, equivalent to approximately £85 million. This amount is believed to be the release clause specified in his contract.

It is suggested that Arteta aims to bolster the team’s defensive options by bringing in a new defender, thereby intensifying competition among the backline and placing pressure on Gabriel and William Saliba.

Whether Arsenal can further enhance their defensive capabilities remains uncertain. However, it is worth noting that the Gunners boasted the best defensive record in the English league throughout the season, conceding fewer than 30 goals.

Silva, who is considered ‘incredible’, is reportedly a target for Liverpool, as Arne Slot has advised the Reds to secure his signature.

Despite the abundance of attacking talent Manchester City possesses, Pep Guardiola has notably focused on bolstering the central defensive positions in recent seasons.

Manchester City boasts a strong defensive lineup with players like John Stones, Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias, and Nathan Ake excelling at centre-back, with Kyle Walker available as a versatile option.

Arsenal may follow a similar path by potentially investing £85m in a new defender as part of their strategic plan.

It remains a mystery how that scenario would unfold with Saliba and Gabriel present, as only Arteta holds the answer.

Managers are known to make tough decisions, and it is likely that Arteta will not shy away from making bold moves if necessary during the upcoming summer.