Former Manchester United star and BT Sport pundit Rio Ferdinand has explained that he still thinks that Arsenal still need at least one more signing before the new season begins as the Gunners close in on a move for Declan Rice.
Having stuttered towards the end of last season, leaving a promising campaign with no silverware to show for it, the north London side have wasted no time strengthening their squad in the early weeks of the transfer window.
They have already signed Kai Havertz from Chelsea in a deal worth £65m, while they have also agreed deals for Rice and Ajax defender Jurrien Timber, with the pair set to set the Gunners back £140m, taking their spending north of £200m and comfortably the most of any Premier League side so far this summer.
There are also suggestions that they are in need of another defender, with the likes of Benjamin Heinrichs and Joao Cancelo both having been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium.
According to Ferdinand, however, there is one spot that they desperately need to sort out before they even think about challenging next season. Specifically, the former Manchester United and England star believes that a backup to star-man Bukayo Saka is desperately needed in north London.
“I think you still need one [more signing]”, he told his youtube channel FIVE. “You can’t afford to let Saka play another full season and not missing any games. I know he missed one or two here and there. But he played too many games last season for a young kid. He’s going to burn out. You need to save him a little bit,”
Despite this, Arsenal have been on the lookout for another attacker in recent transfer windows, with Moussa Diaby one name having been linked with the club. Should the opportunity present itself, Mikel Arteta’s side could well look to add another wide option to their ranks before the transfer window closes on September 1st.
