Mikel Arteta has said Arsenal are “not expecting” to make another signing as expensive as Declan Rice this summer, after the Gunners broke their transfer record last July with a £105million deal to sign the England international.
Arsenal made their first significant move of the current transfer window on Monday after Riccardo Calafiori completed a £42million move from Bologna and joined his new team-mates in Philadelphia ahead of the final match of their pre-season tour of the United States against Liverpool.
Asked if the Gunners were capable of following through with another Rice-style acquisition, Arteta said: “We don't expect to do anything like that. That's the reality. We have to wait and see what moves in the market. We've already identified the things we can improve.
“We had meetings in February, March and April. If we can, we will strengthen the team. So far I am very happy with what we have.”
Arteta also said that players still on holiday after their involvement in the Euro 2024 final – Bukayo Saka, Aaron Ramsdale, Rice and David Raya – will join up with the squad “at the end of the week” when Arsenal return to the UK.
Asked if that quartet would be ready to take part in the club's opening Premier League game against Wolves on August 17, Arteta said: “I'm very confident because when I spoke to them, they really wanted to be part of this as quickly as possible.
“They are ready to go, not to prepare, but to go immediately when they join. That is different.”
