Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson believes Arsenal should invest heavily in attack this summer, targeting Paris Saint-Germain’s Desire Doué and Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez in a combined £190 million deal. Merson was speaking on the Sports Agents podcast, outlining his vision for Arsenal’s continued success following their Premier League title win.
Arsenal secured their first league title in 22 years, though narrowly missed out on Champions League glory, losing to Real Madrid in the final. Manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta are now focused on strengthening the squad ahead of next season. A key area for improvement, according to Merson, is adding more firepower in the attacking third.
Doué, a highly-rated winger at PSG, has emerged as a potential target, while Alvarez is reportedly seeking a move away from Atletico Madrid, with Barcelona as his preferred destination. Merson believes acquiring both players would significantly enhance Arsenal’s chances of further success, stating he would “dread to think who’s going to stop Arsenal” with those additions. Alvarez is valued in the region of €120 million.
To finance such a significant investment, Merson suggests Arsenal may need to consider selling a key player, surprisingly naming captain Martin Odegaard as a potential departure. He believes other clubs would be eager to sign the Norwegian playmaker, citing Arsenal's need for more pace in attack as a potential reason for a sale. However, sources indicate that Arteta is keen to retain Odegaard and is working towards a new long-term contract for the captain.
Despite Merson’s speculation, Arsenal are also reportedly pursuing other attacking options, including a Premier League star, though a deal could potentially exceed £100 million. The club are facing resistance from the player’s current team, who are reluctant to let him leave. Merson remains confident that Arsenal’s recent success is the beginning of a sustained period of dominance, emphasizing the team’s overall quality and consistency.
