Arsenal CEO waiting for ‘right opportunity’ in transfer market as Myles Lewis-Skelly future addressed

Arsenal CEO Richard Garlick has confirmed the club remain open to the idea of further incomings this summer.

The Premier League champions have spent almost £150m during the transfer window with the acquisitions of Bruno Guimaraes, Piero Hincapie, Christos Tzolis and Illan Meslier.

Getty

With an almost complete squad to choose from, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta remains hopeful of adding further firepower to the left side of his attack.

Tzolis was brought in to replace the recently departed Leandro Trossard, while doubts remain over the future of Gabriel Martinelli.

Arsenal hold a long-standing interest in Paris Saint-Germain’s wantaway winger Bradley Barcola.

Liverpool remain frontrunners to sign the France international but with Arsenal still in the market for additional signings, could they hijack the Reds’ move for the star?

Arsenal CEO leaves the door ajar for new signings

Speaking exclusively to talkSPORT on Tuesday about potential further transfer activity, Garlick said: “We are always looking to improve our squad.

“As I say, we’re not going to sit here and say job done. We’ll always be looking to see what options we’ve got to improve the squad. 

“There’s still a couple of weeks left in the window to go so if the right opportunity comes up then we will explore that. 

“And as I say we’re always looking to add to the squad and bring in quality players. Obviously where we are now as Premier League champions it’s always difficult to find players that are going to improve you. 

“So it’s maybe a bit of a smaller market, but if that opportunity arises then we’ll look to take it.”

Asked if the club needs a player clear-out ahead of the new season, Garlick said: “I think I said right at the start of the season, most clubs now embark on player trading. 

Getty

Getty

“The models that most clubs have involve players coming in and going out. We do have a big squad.

“We’ve obviously seen a couple of players going in Christian [Norgaard] and Trossard but obviously we will look at what’s best for our squad. 

“We’re always looking to improve the squad so if that means some players may leave and other players come in then we’ll look at that. 

“But I think player trading is now just a natural part of the game.”

What is the latest on Myles Lewis-Skelly’s future?

Garlick was asked about the future of Myles Lewis-Skelly who has been linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium this summer having been offered to rivals Chelsea and Manchester United.

The academy graduate has been active during pre-season and starred in the Gunners’ comfortable Community Shield victory over Manchester City on Sunday.

Getty

The 19-year-old has attracted plenty of plaudits of late including from ex-England captain Wayne Rooney who urged his former club Manchester United to secure his services.

But Garlick has heaped praise on the versatile star as he claimed the club want to keep hold of their best players.

“Myles has had a fantastic end to last season and he started this season really well and as I say we’re always looking to retain and build on our best players,” he said.

“Obviously there may be speculation, I’m not going to go into that from other clubs but we’re very happy with Myles and the position he’s in at the club.”

Another player linked with a move away from the club this summer is Gabriel Martinelli who recently turned down a move to Galatasaray.

The Brazilian could still end his adventure with the Premier League champions before the end of the transfer window after seven years at the club and Garlick admits seeing players depart is always difficult to endure.

Getty

“It’s hard,” Garlick said. “Obviously you make relationships with players and the players have played their part, every one of them in the success we’ve had over the last couple of years.

“I think that as I say players coming and going is just a natural part of football so I don’t think any player ever thinks that they’re necessarily going to be at a club forever.

“But as I say from our point of view we’re very respectful of players that may want to leave and players that are looking for more time to play. so we’ll continue to build on the squad and as I say player training is part of that.”