Arsenal have made another strong start to the Premier League after entering the 2026/27 campaign as defending champions.
Mikel Arteta’s side collected 12 points from their opening five matches, although Brighton handed them a 3-0 defeat.
The Gunners also strengthened considerably during the summer, adding Bruno Guimaraes, Ezri Konsa, Piero Hincapie and Christos Tzolis.
However, Arsenal are already looking towards future transfer windows as they consider further changes to their squad.
Right-back has emerged as one position they want to address, partly because of Ben White’s recurring injury problems.
According to Fussball News, Arsenal have placed Real Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold on their shortlist for the position.
The Gunners intend to strengthen at right-back by next summer but could accelerate those plans if an opportunity emerges in January.
Alexander-Arnold joined Real Madrid from Liverpool in 2025 but has struggled to establish himself as a regular starter.
Denzel Dumfries currently holds a slight advantage under Jose Mourinho, although Alexander-Arnold has also featured in central midfield.
The 27-year-old wants to establish himself in Madrid but could consider another major project offering regular football and an important role.
However, Arsenal have not opened concrete negotiations with Real Madrid or Alexander-Arnold’s representatives at this stage.
Initial exploratory discussions could take place ahead of January once his position within Mourinho’s squad becomes clearer.
Real Madrid currently have no plans to sell Alexander-Arnold and continue to regard him as an important squad member.
The Spanish club are also not considering allowing the England international to leave on loan during the January window.
Should that stance change, Arsenal could face a substantial financial commitment to complete a permanent transfer. Real Madrid would likely seek between €70 million and €80 million before entering negotiations.
Arsenal continue to monitor Alexander-Arnold’s situation, with the summer of 2027 potentially providing another opportunity if his circumstances remain unchanged.
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