Arsenal news: Mikel Arteta gets transfer green light for £150m double raid as medical booked

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Arsenal's transfer activity is finally gathering pace as the Gunners look to land their top targets. The first month of the summer window was a notably quiet one in N5.

The Premier League champions announced the permanent signing of Piero Hincapie in a £34.5million deal , following an agreement to sign him prior to his season-long loan deal last term. They followed that up by confirming back-up goalkeeper Illan Meslier’s arrival as a free agent from Leeds United .

Now, the Gunners are expected to move quickly, with the World Cup coming to a head and some of their biggest targets returning from the tournament in North America. Manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta could spend even more than the £250m club record outlay from last summer.

With Arsenal set to bring in at least another defender, a midfielder and two wingers, Mirror Football takes a look at some of the biggest transfer stories involving the north London club.

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Christos Tzolis is set to complete his Arsenal medical this weekend ahead of a £34m move from Club Brugge. Arsenal struck an agreement with the Belgian side for Tzolis this week as they look to bolster their wide options ahead of their title defence.

The departure of Leandro Trossard to Besiktas has only exacerbated the need to reinforce their front line. But there is good news for Gunners supporters as a deal for Tzolis is expected to be wrapped up shortly.

The Greek winger, 24, was left out of Club Brugge’s warm-up fixture against Heerenveen on Friday. Brugge wanted to avoid any risk of injury that would jeopardise his lucrative move to the English champions ahead of his medical.

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Arsenal are not expected to take their foot of the gas after signing Tzolis, with a double raid of Aston Villa stars Morgan Rogers and Ezri Konsa reportedly being eyed. Separate reports suggest Berta is lining up bids for both England internationals, who started in the World Cup semi-final defeat against Argentina.

Rogers has emerged as Arsenal’s priority attacking target in recent months. Various reports claim the Gunners have already held talks with both the player and Villa, with club-to-club negotiations expected to accelerate now.

Rogers, who could cost between £100m and £130m, a club record fee, is understood to be keen to join the Emirates side, having been won over by Arteta’s project. It is claimed he has told Villa he wants to leave, though the Midlands club are expected to drive a hard bargain.

The Mail reports that defender Konsa is another top target. The report claims Konsa, who has two years left on his deal, is open-minded about his future and has not yet agreed a new deal with Villa.

Arsenal are said to be preparing an offer for the central defender, who can also play at right back. The £50m-rated England star’s versatility across the backline would be crucial for Arteta this term, given Arsenal’s history of injuries at right back and central defender William Saliba being expected to miss several months of the season with a back problem.

England are playing in their final World Cup match on Saturday when they take on France in the bronze final, meaning Arsenal could finally get the green light to progress on the double signing should they decide to pursue both players.