Arsenal’s new ‘number one target’ after sealing deals for White and Smith Rowe

Mikel Arteta is ready to shift his summer transfer focus to finding a long-term successor for Bernd Leno.

Arsenal have been active in the window so far, with Ben White’s imminent arrival set to be the club’s third.

The Brighton defender, who has agreed a deal in principle in the region of £50million, will join Albert Sambi Lokonga and Nuno Tavares as new arrivals to boost Arteta’s squad.

They have also managed to end speculation regarding Emile Smith Rowe’s future by tying him down to a new long-term contract.

The 20-year-old had been the subject of serious interest from Aston Villa, who launched two separate bids to acquire his services.

But on Thursday, Arsenal finished negotiations with the Hale End graduate, confirming his new deal along with the news he will take the No.10 shirt for next season.

Arteta doesn’t intend on stopping there however; he made it clear before the window opened that the squad needed to change in order to compete with their Premier League rivals.

The Spaniard was speaking after the Gunners failed to secure European qualification for the first time in 25 years.

The Athletic’s David Ornstein told Sky Sports that Arsenal have now moved on to trying to strike a deal for Sheffield United’s Aaron Ramsdale.

The 23-year-old spent last season with Sheffield United and impressed, despite the Blades ultimately suffering relegation.

That served as Ramsdale’s second relegation in as many years after Bournemouth suffered the same fate in 2019/20.

Ramsdale has come out of both campaigns with his reputation firmly intact, highlighted by his inclusion in England’s Euro 2020 squad.

Sheffield United are said to be holding out for £32m for the keeper, a price Arsenal will be reluctant to play.

Despite their return to the Championship the Blades are in a strong financial position and new boss Slavisa Jokanovic has admitted he wants to keep hold of his No.1.

Earlier this summer, he said: "You never know in this world what can happen, but these gossips in the newspaper I hope is not true and I will stay with these names and be ready for the challenge.

"Aaron, he is one of the best keepers in England and is in my squad.

"I don't have any interest in pushing him out.”

However, if Arsenal do meet their valuation, he could be given the chance to become a mainstay in goal, potentially replacing Leno and allowing the German to leave.

Leno has two years remaining on his current deal and while there doesn’t appear to be a market for him this summer, that could change in 12 months’ time.

Arteta made the difficult decision to stick with Leno last year after Emiliano Martinez impressed so much in his absence.

Martinez helped the Gunners to the FA Cup and Community Shield, but the Arsenal boss opted to stick with Leno, pushing the former into a move to Aston Villa.

Under Dean Smith, the Argentinian emerged as one of the Premier League’s top stoppers, with Arteta’s decision coming under focus amid the search for a Leno replacement.

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