Arsenal outline transfer plan as target 'favours' summer move

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Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020

Paris St-Germain defender Emmanuel Mbemba reportedly “favours” a move to Arsenal amid reported interest from Mikel Arteta’s side.

The 18-year-old has been offered a professional contract by the PSG hierarchy, but multiple reports have confirmed that he is open to leaving the Parc des Princes upon the expiration of his current deal this summer.

Mbemba is yet to make his first-team debut for PSG, however he was a member of the squad that lost to Real Madrid in the final of the UEFA Youth League on penalties in 2025-26, and he captained the club’s U19 team to victory in the prestigious Coupe Gambardella - France’s equivalent of the FA Youth Cup.

French outlet Le Parisien have confirmed Arsenal’s interest in the teenager, revealing that scouts have watched him in action on a number of occasions this season as the north London giants eye a possible swoop during the 2026 summer transfer window.

The defender, who can play at centre-back or left-back, has multiple suitors across Europe, although he currently “favours” a summer move to Arsenal, according to a report from BBC Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella.

It’s claimed that Mikel Arteta’s side have initiated early contact with Mbemba’s representatives and have outlined their plan for the teenager, which will involve a loan move back to France. William Saliba spent three years on loan in Ligue 1 after his arrival at Arsenal and it’s reported that a similar route could be in store for Mbemba if he opts to join the new Premier League champions.

Analysis: Who will Arsenal sign this summer?

While Arsenal are actively considering a summer move for Mbemba, he is certainly not their priority target, with the club keen to bolster their first-team ranks with a new full-back, central midfielder and forward.

FootballTransfers has been told that Newcastle United duo Valentino Livramento and Sandro Tonali are firmly on the Gunners’ radar, while we understand that a move for Aston Villa superstar Morgan Rogers is currently being explored following his impressive form throughout the 2025-26 season.

The likes of Eli Junior Kroupi, Morgan Gibbs-White, Mateus Fernandes, Bradley Barcola and Julian Alvarez have also been linked with an Emirates Stadium switch, and the club are currently locked in advanced talks to sign Leicester City wonderkid Jeremy Monga.

However, in order to fund their business this summer, Arsenal will be forced to sell a number of current stars, with Gabriel Jesus, Ben White, Ethan Nwaneri, Gabriel Martinelli and Christian Norgaard among the players who may be offloaded on permanent deals before the end of Transfer Deadline Day on 1 September.