£16m player now keen to join Arteta after holding talks with Arsenal

Arsenal have been handed a boost in the race to sign a player who’s been described as “perfect” for them, with Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta’s target keen on a move to the Emirates after holding talks.

Arsenal face PSG after 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace

Following their 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace in the Premier League, all eyes are now on Arsenal’s blockbuster Champions League semi-final first leg at home to PSG next week.

No other domestic games await the Gunners this weekend, meaning Arteta can put all of his focus into overcoming Luis Enrique’s side, who are enjoying a sensational unbeaten Ligue 1 campaign and pose a very tough test.

Arsenal will go into the contest with plenty of confidence after dismantling 15-time European champions Real Madrid 5-1 on aggregate in the last round. However, Arteta did send a subtle warning to his players after they couldn’t get past Palace on Wednesday, criticising their poor performance.

“I’m disappointed with the result and the performance as well,” said Arteta after Arsenal’s draw with Palace.

“I think we never got the consistency in many areas to completely dominate the game – we always had the feeling that we had the ball, we had possession, we went in front twice, but the game wasn’t grabbed, it wasn’t dominated and controlled the way that we normally do because we were below the standards in some areas. When you are not at your best, but you are two times ahead, you have to be able to see the game off, and we weren’t able to do it, especially with what happened in the second half.”

Arteta will demand a much higher level when Arsenal face one of Europe’s most in-form teams, and in a match which has the potential to make or break their whole campaign.

Arsenal handed Dean Huijsen transfer boost after update

Away from the pitch, Arsenal and sporting director Andrea Berta are planning for the summer window, with Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen reliably believed to be a serious target for them.

The 20-year-old’s active £50 million release clause has piqued interest from a host of elite Premier League clubs, including Arteta’s side, and it is believed that Huijsen has already held talks with Arsenal over a move.

This is backed up by talkSPORT and journalist Alex Crook, who also reports that Huijsen favours a move to Arsenal over the likes of Chelsea and Tottenham. Anfield is another preferred destination of the Spaniard’s, so Liverpool are in the race, but Crook says Huijsen has his eyes on a potential switch to Arsenal as well.

Following his move to Bournemouth from Juventus, Huijsen has proved a bargain buy after signing for just £16 million, but it now appears that it is inevitable he’ll depart the Vitality as a plethora of huge sides get ready to battle for his signature.

Football Analyst Ben Mattinson has called him the “perfect” option to rotate with William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, while it is hard to argue after his excellent 2024/2025 campaign on the south coast.