Arsenal is making strides in the transfer market as they aim to bolster their squad following a near-miss for both the Premier League and Champions League titles. Mikel Arteta has reportedly persuaded sporting director Andrea Berta to pursue Brentford forward Igor Thiago, a player the manager has been monitoring for several years.

Thiago's Impressive Season

Igor Thiago, who joined Brentford in the summer of 2024, had a challenging start to his career in England due to injury, making only one league start in his debut season. However, he rebounded spectacularly in the following campaign, featuring in all 38 matches and netting 22 goals. His performance drew praise from manager Keith Andrews, who highlighted Thiago's clinical finishing and confidence, especially after a standout hat-trick against Everton.

Arsenal's Young Talent Pursuits

In addition to their interest in Thiago, Arsenal is also targeting young talents to enhance their squad depth. The Gunners recently had their initial bid for Leicester City’s Jeremy Monga rejected, but they remain optimistic about securing the 16-year-old midfielder. Monga has already made 37 appearances for Leicester before his 17th birthday and holds the record as the youngest scorer in Championship history. With Leicester's relegation to League One, Arsenal is expected to finalize a deal for Monga before he turns 17 on July 10.

Another player on Arsenal's radar is centre-back Elijah Upson, who is set to leave Tottenham after declining a professional contract. Upson, the son of former England international Matthew Upson, has captained the Under-18s and played six times in the UEFA Youth League, making him a promising addition to Arsenal's youth ranks.

As Arsenal looks to strengthen their squad with both experienced players like Thiago and emerging talents like Monga and Upson, fans are eager to see how these potential signings will shape the team's future.