Arsenal’s ambitious rebuild under Mikel Arteta and new sporting director Andrea Berta shows no signs of slowing down. Fresh reports from Spain suggest the Gunners are eyeing a blockbuster move for Athletic Bilbao midfielder Oihan Sancet—and may be willing to sacrifice a current first-team regular to make room.
Arsenal’s Transfer Drive Far from Over
Despite a strong start to the season and eight summer signings, Arsenal are still hungry for reinforcements. The North London club has collected three wins from their opening four Premier League matches, including a dominant 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest after narrowly losing to Liverpool.
This summer, Arsenal made waves in the transfer market, securing the signatures of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera, Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze, and Piero Hincapie. But the new-look squad may undergo even more changes if current plans come to fruition.
Oihan Sancet: Arsenal’s Next Midfield Target
According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Arsenal have set their sights on Spain international Oihan Sancet as their next high-profile midfield addition. Sancet has emerged as a key figure at Athletic Bilbao, and his dynamic style—characterized by his line-breaking runs and presence in the box—has reportedly caught the eye of Arteta.
Arteta is believed to have been particularly impressed by Sancet during Arsenal’s recent 2-0 victory over Bilbao. The Spaniard sees the 23-year-old as a perfect complement to midfield stalwarts Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard, potentially completing a trio capable of dominating the Premier League and Europe alike.
However, prying Sancet away won’t be easy. Athletic Bilbao are known for their tough negotiating stance, especially when it comes to players viewed as indispensable. Still, Arsenal appear ready to test the waters with a significant offer.
Shock Exit: Mikel Merino Could Be Moved On
Perhaps the most surprising revelation in the report is the potential departure of midfielder Mikel Merino. Signed from Real Sociedad in 2024, Merino has featured regularly under Arteta, but Berta is reportedly open to letting him go to facilitate the signing of Sancet.
This would mark a notable shift in Arsenal’s midfield dynamics, signaling Berta’s intent to mold the squad to fit a more fluid, aggressive playing style. A bid in the region of €80 million (£70 million) is being prepared for the summer of 2026, suggesting long-term planning is well underway.
Eyes on Manchester City Clash
Before any transfer business resumes, Arsenal face a crucial Premier League test against Manchester City this weekend. Both sides have already dropped points and are trailing early leaders Liverpool, making Sunday’s clash vital for momentum in the title race.
Arteta, speaking ahead of the fixture, acknowledged the evolving nature of both squads:
“There will be moments, as there have been in the past,” he said. “They’ve made changes in the backline and brought in Erling [Haaland]. We’ve adapted too, especially with the quality we have in midfield. Football’s always evolving, and so are we.”
