Sporting director Andrea Berta cast a very wide net during the 2024‑25 summer window, probing a long list of attacking prospects before narrowing the shortlist to a handful of marquee names.
One of the most talked‑about targets was Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr. Arsenal believed they could persuade the Brazilian to join the Premier League, but he ultimately signed a new contract with Madrid, where he has managed just one goal in eight appearances this season and was substituted early in a defeat to Atletico Madrid before the international break.
Julian Alvarez was another player the Gunners hoped to lure back to England. The Argentine forward, who has been out of favour at Atletico and even booed by their supporters, has started only one match this season – a 2‑0 loss to Liverpool – and has yet to find the net. He returned from a minor muscle injury to cameo against Real Madrid, again facing a hostile crowd.
Arsenal’s pursuit of Morgan Rogers collapsed when Chelsea stepped in with a £117 million offer. The English midfielder has settled at Stamford Bridge, scoring three goals in five Premier League outings, including a strike against Arsenal in the recent London derby.
Defender Cristian Romero also attracted Arsenal’s interest before the club opted for Tottenham’s Ezri Konsa. Romero has become a mainstay in Atletico’s back line, featuring in their last three La Liga victories, clashing with Manchester City’s Jude Bellingham in the Madrid derby and escaping a red card after a contentious challenge that left José Mourinho furious.
The Gunners were close to signing 17‑year‑old Jeremy Monga from Leicester, but Manchester City swooped in and secured the teenager. City immediately loaned him to Swansea, where he has not yet made a match‑day squad in five Championship games.
These missed moves underline the difficulty Arsenal faces in competing for elite talent, a factor that could shape their transfer strategy and squad depth heading into the second half of the season.