The Los Angeles Lakers had a rough end to their season. They lost Luka Doncic to a Grade 2 hamstring strain late in the regular season, and without him, the team got swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the playoffs.

Doncic himself said he was never close to returning. He traveled to Europe to seek specialized treatment for the injury, and while he was there, something else was clearly in the works too.

According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Doncic has joined an ownership group that purchased Vanoli Cremona, a professional basketball club in Italy’s top league, Lega Basket Serie A. The group is led by former Dallas Mavericks executive Donnie Nelson as the managing partner.

This is not a random pairing. Nelson was the man who engineered the trade to bring Doncic to Dallas on draft night in 2018, and the two have stayed close ever since. Doncic spent his teenage years at Real Madrid before entering the NBA at 19, so he knows the European game from the inside.

He did not hide his excitement about this one.

“I have dreamed about owning a team in Europe for a long time, to finally have this happen is amazing. Vanoli has a great history, and we are ready to take it to the next level in Rome. We have an amazing group of partners, and I really believe we can do something special for basketball in Italy and Europe.”

The club is moving from the northern Italian town of Cremona to Rome ahead of the 2026-27 season. Rome has not had a top-flight basketball team since Virtus Roma folded in 2020, leaving a serious gap in one of the biggest cities in the world.

Luka Doncic and Donnie Nelson Eye NBA Europe Franchise in Rome

There is a larger goal at play here. The NBA and FIBA are building a new European league, NBA Europe, targeting a launch as early as fall 2027. Doncic’s group has already submitted a bid for Rome to be one of the founding cities, with franchise bids reportedly reaching up to $1 billion.

Nelson was straightforward about where things stand. “I think that we’re optimistic and hopeful that the NBA relationship happens. If it doesn’t happen for whatever reason, we’re still excited about moving forward with the Roman opportunity.”

At 27 and still playing at an All-NBA level, Doncic is already building something well beyond his playing career. Rome gets its basketball back, and Doncic gets a seat at the table for what could be the sport’s next big frontier.

In a league where superstar movement can reshape contention windows overnight, the Boston Celtics may be weighing significant roster changes this offseason. While rumors of a potential blockbuster swap involving Giannis Antetokounmpo have circulated, another intriguing possibility has emerged — a trade with the Golden State Warriors centered around Jaylen Brown.

According to a proposed deal, the Celtics could send Brown to the Warriors in exchange for a package that includes veteran forward Jimmy Butler, promising young guard Brandin Podziemski, the No. 11 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, and an unprotected first-round pick in 2028.

The Trade Breakdown

Warriors Receive: Jaylen Brown Celtics Receive: Jimmy Butler, Brandin Podziemski, 2026 first-round pick (No. 11), and 2028 first-round unprotected pick

This hypothetical trade would represent a major shift in direction for both franchises. For Boston, it would mean parting ways with a key contributor from their recent championship success, while the Warriors would be adding a proven, high-level talent to support their aging core.

Why the Warriors Would Pursue Brown

For Golden State, acquiring Jaylen Brown would provide Stephen Curry with a legitimate top-15 player to pair alongside him during what remains of his elite window. As Curry turns 39 next March, the urgency to surround him with difference-making talent has never been greater. Brown’s two-way ability, scoring prowess, and playoff experience would immediately elevate the Warriors’ ceiling and give them a dynamic co-star capable of creating opportunities for Curry and sustaining contention over the next several seasons.

A Calculated Risk for the Celtics

From Boston’s perspective, this move would only make sense if Jaylen Brown were amenable to being traded. The Celtics would be sacrificing some of their immediate title-contending firepower in exchange for a more balanced, future-oriented roster.

The centerpiece of the return is Jimmy Butler, a battle-tested veteran who, before suffering a torn ACL in January, was averaging 20 points per game across 38 appearances. Now recovering from the injury and set to turn 37 this fall, Butler remains a high-character, high-IQ player who could still deliver at a high level if he regains full health. His presence would help keep the Celtics competitive and playoff-bound next season.

Complementing Butler is Brandin Podziemski, a 23-year-old shooting guard who showed significant promise last season, averaging 13.8 points per game. His youth and developing skill set offer Boston a long-term building block at the wing position.

The draft capital included in the deal — the No. 11 pick in this year’s draft and an unprotected 2028 first-rounder — provides the Celtics with valuable assets to either select high-upside talent or use in future negotiations as they look to reshape their roster for sustained success.

Strategic Outlook

This trade would signal a clear strategic pivot for the Celtics: moving away from an All-Star duo that has delivered recent success toward a blend of veteran experience, youthful potential, and future flexibility. While the team would likely remain a playoff contender with a healthy Butler, they would be accepting some short-term risk in exchange for long-term assets and roster versatility.

For the Warriors, the addition of Brown would be a direct win-now move designed to maximize Curry’s remaining prime and push the franchise back into serious championship contention.

As the NBA offseason heats up, this proposed deal serves as a compelling reminder of the difficult choices championship-caliber teams must navigate. Whether Boston ultimately pulls the trigger on a move involving Jaylen Brown remains to be seen, but scenarios like this highlight the evolving nature of roster construction in today’s NBA.

In a twist that could increase the chances of a blockbuster trade to land the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, the Chicago Bulls have reportedly spoken with BYU’s Kevin Young about their vacant head coaching position. Notably, Young was AJ Dybantsa’s head coach with the Cougars.

Sure, the chances of a massive deal like this happening are remote, but it’s not hard to connect the dots.

The Washington Wizards, owners of the No. 1 pick this summer, haven’t yet shut the door on a potential trade down. Neither have the Utah Jazz, who control the second overall selection. And Chicago has been linked with a possible trade up from No. 4 already, with eyes presumably on Dybantsa.

Young is a qualified candidate, regardless of his ties to Dybantsa. But hiring him certainly wouldn’t hurt if the Bulls are determined to bring the 19-year-old to the Windy City.

Chicago Bulls, BYU’s Kevin Young have spoken about head coaching job

Kevin Young is just the latest to be linked with the Bulls vacancy.

The Miami Heat’s Chris Quinn, Minnesota’s Micah Nori, Oklahoma City’s Dave Bliss, Cleveland’s Johnnie Bryant and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Tiago Splitter are among the names connected to the job as vice president of basketball operations Bryson Graham looks to make his first major hire.

Young is an intriguing option, though, for several reasons.

After spending time as an assistant and head coach in the G League, the 44-year-old got his first NBA job with the Philadelphia 76ers. In 2020, he joined the Phoenix Suns, where he became the lead assistant from 2021 to 2024 before moving to the college ranks.

Young interviewed for NBA head coaching jobs with the Milwaukee Bucks, Utah Jazz and Brooklyn Nets, among others, before moving to Provo.

Hiring Young would boost Bulls odds at landing Dybantsa, No. 1 pick

Admittedly, this scenario would require a lot of things to fall into place.

First, Washington would legitimately have to be open to moving down. At this point, those rumors may be more conjecture and posturing than anything else.

Second, Graham would need to be willing to give away some truly valuable assets. To tempt the Wizards, it would take at least the Nos. 4 and 15 picks, plus future selections — likely more than just one.

The Bulls would have to weigh the pros and cons. By all accounts, Dybantsa is a generational prospect, and there’s no guarantee Chicago would have another chance to land someone of his stature. However, giving up multiple draft picks at the beginning of a long-term rebuild would put a dent in Graham’s resources.

As someone with experience developing budding talent, Young would be a solid choice to replace Billy Donovan. If he also gives the Bulls a better chance of acquiring Dybantsa, all the better.

BYU head coach Kevin Young has been named as a prime candidate in the Chicago Bulls’ hunt for a new head coach. The Bulls, having recently parted ways with long-time coach Billy Donovan, are searching far and wide for an upgrade at the head coaching position, and Young had been on many teams’ short list while on the bench in Phoenix.

Embed X: https://twitter.com/JamalCollier/status/2060516070612509080

When BYU basketball hired Young from the Phoenix Suns, it felt as if the Cougars had stolen the NBA’s lead assistant out from under the league’s feet. Young, the highest-paid assistant coach in the league at the time of his hiring, has revolutionized BYU basketball, taking it from a scrappy Big 12 program to one of the strongest recruiting forces in all of college hoops.

With his background, Young resolved to turn BYU basketball into an NBA pipeline; the premier destination for the nation’s most talented players to develop their skills in preparation for a career at the next level.

Now three years into his tenure in Provo, Young has brought on three players either selected in the lottery or projected to be, with Egor Demin (the 8th pick in 2025), AJ Dybantsa (the projected number one overall pick this summer), and Bruce Branch III (a McDonald’s All-American, Team USA member, and lottery projection in 2027).

Eying their fourth overall pick in the upcoming draft, Chicago is anxious to bring on a coach who can develop young talent like Cameron Boozer or Caleb Wilson. In that sense, Young easily fits the bil.

The question then becomes why would Kevin Young consider leaving BYU basketball, especially right now?

The Cougars continue collecting top-tier recruits, and are contenders for not only the Big 12 Championship this upcoming season, but have their eyes on a deep run through the expanded March Madness field.

Why bring on players like Branch, Wright, Chandler, and a potential professional-tier center if the plan is to jump to the NBA? After a disappointing campaign that finished with a first-round exit in March, even with AJ Dybantsa leading the charge, perhaps Young’s coaching style is better-suited for the NBA game.

It seems too early for Young to part ways with BYU — the two have unfinished business. Young would be insane not to at least hear Chicago out, but I suspect the interest here is one-sided.

How wild that the head coaches of BYU’s football and basketball teams simply can’t stay out of the coaching carousel for even a season.

Other names in the Bulls’ coaching hunt include Tiago Splitter, Micah Nori, Jerry Stackhouse, and more.

The Golden State Warriors appear stuck right now. They’re not a genuine championship contender, nor do they want to enter rebuilding mode while franchise superstar Stephen Curry remains with the team and as a high level player.

A blockbuster trade for a star could reignite championship hopes, but that doesn’t appear forthcoming based on reporting in recent weeks. Instead, the path back to championship contention for the Warriors might be through getting lucky at the lottery after confirmation of the NBA’s new anti-tanking reform on Thursday.

Warriors path back to contention isn’t what fans will want to hear

The new lottery reform is likely to make teams more conservative when it comes to trading first-round picks, and could mean we see less of the blockbuster trades that can instantly and significantly jolt a team’s championship hopes.

Warrior fans won’t want to hear it given Curry is still on the roster, but the obvious path may be to head back to the draft and find the next franchise star that won’t cost multiple first-round picks and assets like an established star would.

Speaking during Friday’s episode of The Ryen Russillo Show, ESPN and Warriors insider Anthony Slater painted a fairly bleak outlook of Golden State’s aims in the short-term and heading into next season.

…”You could hear that in Steve Kerr’s press conference afterwards about discussing the future of the franchise with Joe Lacob and Mike Dunleavy and coming to a more realistic understanding that they aren’t chasing championships. They’re just kind of trying to guide out the Steph Curry era while protecting the future and I believe using the 11th pick,” Slater said.

Based on those comments, this sure sounds like a team who will remain around the Play-In Tournament and fringe of the playoffs yet again, particularly given they’ll start next season with Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody on the sidelines.

Draft lottery reform gives Warriors renewed hope

Being in the Play-In Tournament is not where fans will want a Curry-led team to be, but the flattening of lottery odds gives the franchise renewed hope of landing a top pick if they were to narrowly miss the playoffs again next season.

Acquiring a top three or four pick may be what ultimately drives Golden State back into the championship mix. Who knows, the 11th pick in this year’s strong draft could deliver them a franchise-altering piece that drastically changes their trajectory going forward.

The Warriors will try to remain as competitive as possible over the next few years, but it might be a young player not currently on the roster who proves the biggest factor to their next championship tilt.

After a season filled with thrilling highs, the Los Angeles Lakers believe that one or two strategic moves could elevate them from fringe contenders to legitimate title threats in a stacked Western Conference.

The Lakers’ offseason priorities begin with resolving the futures of LeBron James and Austin Reaves. Both veterans could potentially depart Los Angeles if contract negotiations fail to reach satisfactory terms. However, if the front office successfully retains the duo, attention will quickly shift to upgrading the supporting cast around their superstar core.

One name generating serious buzz is Denver Nuggets sharpshooter Cameron Johnson. According to Nuggets on SI reporter Logan Struck, the 30-year-old forward represents an excellent fit for the Lakers, regardless of whether LeBron James returns.

“Johnson would be a snug fit in the Lakers’ lineup, with or without LeBron James returning to Los Angeles,” Struck wrote. In a potential deal, the Nuggets could pursue defensive-minded forward Jarred Vanderbilt or explore a sign-and-trade involving former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart. Johnson’s expiring contract adds further appeal, offering the Lakers flexibility without long-term salary commitments.

Moving On From Smart: A Calculated Risk?

With generational talent Luka Dončić entering his prime, the Lakers understand their championship window is wide open. While there is consensus that the team will likely part ways with Vanderbilt this summer, any discussion of trading Marcus Smart is likely to raise eyebrows.

Smart delivered valuable contributions during the Lakers’ playoff run, providing dependable offense and lockdown defense. Yet if Los Angeles does not view him as a long-term cornerstone, flipping him now for a proven perimeter threat could prove highly beneficial.

Adding Johnson — a career 43% three-point shooter with significant postseason experience — would address a clear need. The Nuggets, reportedly looking to create cap space to retain rising star forward Peyton Watson, may be motivated to move the veteran wing, making him an attainable target.

Why Johnson and Dončić Could Be Lethal

The Lakers finished as the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference this past season, showing championship pedigree with a late surge that included 16 wins in 18 games. Their playoff shortcomings, particularly in depth, were exposed once injuries hit — most notably the absence of Dončić.

Johnson’s elite shooting profile makes him an ideal complementary piece for Dončić, whose playmaking brilliance creates high-quality looks for perimeter specialists. A 43% career shooter from beyond the arc with proven playoff composure, Johnson struggled to meet expectations in Denver after arriving last offseason but still brings valuable experience from high-stakes environments.

Multiple reports confirm Denver’s willingness to move on from Johnson to gain financial flexibility. Earlier this month, ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel listed the Lakers among teams showing interest. This week, ESPN’s Tim Bontemps added that Johnson is one of two key names the Nuggets may look to move.

A Low-Risk, High-Reward Upgrade

For a Lakers team that many argue needs only incremental improvements rather than a major overhaul, acquiring Johnson could be the precise move to push them over the top. His ability to stretch the floor would create even more breathing room for Dončić to operate, while his postseason pedigree addresses the depth issues that hampered L.A. in the playoffs.

As the NBA offseason heats up, this potential deal carries significant intrigue. Pairing a $95 million sharpshooter with Luka Dončić in a Lakers uniform could fundamentally alter the balance of power in the Western Conference.

Whether the trade materializes through a direct exchange involving Vanderbilt, a sign-and-trade centered on Smart, or another creative package, one thing is clear: the Lakers are determined to enter next season not just as contenders, but as one of the elite teams ready to chase a championship.

The Los Angeles Lakers are surrounded by a lot of trade speculation as the franchise aims to bring in pieces to improve the roster.

The Lakers are also ready to move some players as long as they get a suitable return in a trade. 

One prominent idea that has been floated involves sending Austin Reaves to acquire a quartet of high-upside players from multiple teams. 

According to Lakers insider Jovan Buha, in order for the Lakers to do this, they would not only part with Reaves but also multiple first-round picks.

“You’d essentially be trading Austin and five first-round picks if the Lakers are trading the 2026 25 pick as well,” Buha said. “So Austin and five first-round picks for Onyeka Okongwu, Trey Murphy, Herb Jones, Yves Missi. That’s a lot of picks.

Reaves is still under contract having signed a four-year, $53.8 million contract in 2023. He has a player option for next season but he is viewed as a valuable trade asset. His profile fits teams looking for mid-level guards for rebuilding. 

Lakers’ Proposed Package: Four Players for One Plus Picks

The deal to bring in four players at once is wild in every sense but it will give the Lakers a versatile frontcourt and backcourt infusion. 

Okongwu, 25, at 6-foot-10 will fit in for the Lakers in the front court, a position they have been reportedly looking to fill. The Atlanta Hawks star is an intriguing player to have. Another player who can fit in the center role is New Orleans Pelicans star, Missi. He is a much younger option being only 22-years-old.

Two other Pelicans stars included are Jones, 27, and Murphy, 25. These two can inject scoring options and depth.

“I would consider it,” Buha said of the trade. “It’s a lot of draft capital but you are also getting four players and then you are turning one player into four… I would rather have those four guys than Austin … But it’s coming out of a massive cost with your five first-round draft picks.”

One positive for the Lakers is that all four players don’t command huge salaries. Murphy’s $112 million is the highest of the bunch and even that can fall under an MLE deal. 

All four are affordable for the Lakers but they will have to sacrifice future assets for immediate roster improvement. If the franchise is desperate enough to also move Reaves. 

Reaves has been a steady performer and just had a career-high season, but he will either be a free agent after next season or demand big money for an extension. It makes him a logical piece to move in pursuit of greater depth.

Major Roster Overhaul for L.A.

If the Lakers follow through with this multi-deal and get four stars with one swing, they will have a full roster. The franchise will still have space to add other players as well. 

The negative of this deal is that losing a lot of draft capital might come back to bite the Lakers. The franchise’s future flexibility will be limited for an immediate return.

If it works, the Lakers will not have to worry about draft capital. However, if it goes sideways, losing those draft assets will mean that it takes a lot of time to recover and rebuild. 

Former first-round pick Patrick Baldwin Jr. has bounced around the league ever since being traded by the Golden State Warriors nearly three years ago, but his opportunities may have ran out after completing his fourth season in the league.

Baldwin’s combination of size and sweet shooting stroke has meant teams have retained intrigue in his potential, yet the fact he’s no longer two-way eligible means there’s a chance his time in the league could have come to an end for the time being.

Patrick Baldwin Jr. may have played his last NBA game

The 23-year-old has appeared in just 102 NBA games through his first four years, 69 of which came through his first two seasons with the Warriors and Washington Wizards. Baldwin played in only nine games this seasons, but they came across three different teams as he’s struggled to find a home at the NBA level.

After finishing the previous season on a two-way contract with the L.A. Clippers, Baldwin had to wait until January to sign a 10-day contract with the franchise where he appeared in only two games before being let go again.

The seven-footer then signed a 10-day contract with the Philadelphia 76ers in February, but played only two minutes in garbage time where he recorded a solitary rebound. He then signed a two-way deal with the tanking Sacramento Kings to end the season, playing in six games where he averaged 3.8 points and 3.5 rebounds in 14.7 minutes.

Given the last two years have consisted of 10-day and two-way contracts, it’s difficult to see how Baldwin will get another chance in the NBA early next season considering he’d have to be on a team’s main roster.

Patrick Baldwin Jr. is another example of Warriors’ draft dissapointment

While he doesn’t draw anywhere near the same level of headlines as James Wiseman or Jonathan Kuminga, Baldwin is just another example of the Warriors failing to hit on their draft picks from 2020-2022.

Baldwin did show some signs of promise in shooting 38.1% from 3-point range in his 31 games with Golden State during his rookie year, but the franchise was proven right to send him to the Wizards given how his career has panned out since.

The most frustrating aspect is that there were some good players available when the Warriors took Baldwin 28th overall at the 2022 NBA Draft. Peyton Watson and Andrew Nembhard went 30th and 31st overall, while Jaylin Williams and Max Christie were taken 34th and 35th respectively.

Golden State can at least look back and claim they got something from that draft, with Gui Santos having been taken with the 55th pick. They also drafted Ryan Rollins 44th overall, only to move on from the young guard before he’s since broken out with the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Chicago Bulls’ job at the top of the 2026 NBA Draft should be somewhat easy.

This Draft has a clearly-defined top four, and they must simply take whichever prospect falls to them in that spot. Of course, there’s room to trade up if they wish. But given the holes they have across their roster, they may be better off simply staying put in the Draft and using both of their first-round selections.

In an ideal world, Caleb Wilson will fall to them at fourth, solving their need at power forward and allowing Matas Buzelis to shift back to a more natural small forward role. If things play out that way, they should be looking to add a capable scorer and a backcourt presence at 15th overall.

Things have crystallized recently around Cameron Carr, the high-upside wing out of Baylor, in that draft range. He has the three-level scoring chops and the shooting acumen to be a desirable draft target.

But he’s not the only scorer Chicago should be looking at. Although Christian Anderson Jr. out of Texas Tech profiles as more of a lead guard, he could be a reasonable alternative if Carr continues to rise through the rest of the pre-draft process.

Christian Anderson Jr. should be an option for the Bulls at 15th overall

Carr is certainly an impressive prospect. Across 34 games at Baylor last season, he averaged 18.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists while shooting 37.4% from beyond the arc. At 6’5″, he has the length and the athleticism to possess serious defensive upside in a shooting guard role at the NBA level.

But Anderson possesses many of these same traits. As a sophomore at Texas Tech, Anderson averaged a conference-leading 38.4 minutes per game, posting 18.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 7.4 assists while shooting 41.5% from 3-point range. He’s a touch smaller than Carr at 6’3″, and his defensive potential will take a hit as a result. But he plays with energy on the defensive end of the court, and he possesses the same intriguing three-level scoring upside that Carr does.

Anderson also has a much higher upside as a facilitator. He’s dangerous operating in the pick-and-roll, and he averaged just 3.3 turnovers last season for an impressive 2.24 assist-to-turnover ratio on high volume.

With Josh Giddey’s future in question, nothing should be off the table for Chicago in the first round of this year’s Draft. While Carr is likely the Bulls’ ideal prospect in that range, Anderson should still receive some serious consideration as a future member of Chicago’s backcourt.

Arsenal aren’t window shopping. They’re signing the receipt for £174m before anyone else can grab the pen.

Fresh off clinching the Premier League title, Mikel Arteta’s side are preparing one of the most ambitious transfer windows in their recent history. According to reports in Spain, the Gunners have earmarked a staggering €200 million (£174m) net spend, with Bournemouth’s highly-rated young talent Eli Junior Kroupi and Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers at the very top of their summer shopping list.

The north London club, who lifted the Premier League trophy last week after an intense campaign, now turn their attention to strengthening an attack that has occasionally lacked cutting edge against deep-lying defences. While Arsenal boast impressive depth in defence and midfield, their forward line has at times struggled to break down compact opponents. The impending arrivals of Kroupi and Rogers are seen as direct responses to that specific shortfall.

Arsenal are expected to submit offers exceeding €100 million for Rogers, the dynamic Aston Villa attacking midfielder, though they will likely face competition from Manchester United. An equivalent sum is being readied for Kroupi, the exciting young Bournemouth prospect. To help finance the ambitious double swoop, the Gunners are reportedly open to substantial sales, with Riccardo Calafiori, Gabriel Martinelli, and Gabriel Jesus all under consideration for departure.

The strategy is characteristically decisive. Arsenal’s hierarchy aims to finalise both deals swiftly to avoid protracted negotiations and prevent rival clubs from inflating prices. By moving early and aggressively, the Premier League champions intend to take centre stage in the summer transfer market and deliver the reinforcements Arteta’s technical staff have identified as priorities.

Mixed News on Other Targets

Arsenal’s pursuit of Atlético Madrid striker Julián Álvarez now appears to have hit a major obstacle. Barcelona have launched a first official bid worth €100 million for the Argentine forward, with no add-ons or player exchanges included. Fabrizio Romano confirmed the development, noting that Álvarez has already expressed his desire to leave Atlético. The news suggests Arsenal may have to pivot away from one of their other leading targets.

Champions League Final Looms Large

On the pitch, Arsenal’s season could reach fairytale status if they overcome French champions Paris Saint-Germain in Saturday’s Champions League final. Victory in Munich would cap a historic campaign and further enhance their growing aura under Arteta.

However, not everyone is backing the Gunners. Former Chelsea and France defender Marcel Desailly believes PSG will prevail, citing their superior midfield control, possession dominance, and overall aura.

“Paris. Paris Saint-Germain,” Desailly told MrRaffle.com. “When you look at their possession, their capability, their aura, and the way they constantly win the battle of the midfield, it’s strong.”

That said, Desailly acknowledged the momentum Arsenal carry after finally ending their long wait for a Premier League title.

“It came down to the wire recently, so your adrenaline raises very high… That little bit of confidence changes things – suddenly you are confident. That fear they had in past years is gone, and now everyone is free to express themselves under that red and white shirt.”

Whether Arsenal lift the Champions League trophy or not, their intentions in the transfer market are already crystal clear. The message from the Emirates is unambiguous: after years of careful squad building, the club is ready to flex its financial muscle and make a statement.

With the receipt already being written for £174m worth of new attacking talent, Arsenal are determined to ensure this summer belongs to them.