The reigning Premier League champions, Arsenal, are facing the task of defending their league crown for the first time since 2004 and will want to hit the ground running.
Having finally edged out rivals Manchester City in a back-and-forth title race, the focus will be on repeating the success. Losing out in the Champions League final on penalties will also be a significant motivator.
Expect Mikel Arteta to tweak his squad ever so slightly; it was well documented that he already possessed one of the best squads in Europe last season, meaning we can’t expect too many major changes.
That doesn’t mean there won’t be changes, as title winners often have to add something new to their makeup to ensure they have a new dynamic — but changing or spending too much, like Liverpool in 2025, could be detrimental to their chances of going back-to-back.
Ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, GIVEMESPORT brings you every new signing and departure from the Emirates Stadium.
New Arsenal Signings 2026/27
Player
Nationality
Previous Club
Fee
Piero Hincapie
Ecuador
Bayer Leverkusen
£34.5million
Illan Meslier
France
Leeds United
Free
Arsenal’s squad is already among the best in England, which is why Arteta hasn’t overseen a lot of activity in terms of incomings in July. The main addition is confirming that key defender Piero Hincapie has made his loan move permanent from Bayer Leverkusen for around £34.5m.
The Ecuador international made 39 appearances in his debut campaign, starting seven Champions League games, including the final, and was often rotated with Riccardo Calafiori. Also arriving is Leeds United keeper Illan Meslier on a free transfer to round out their goalkeeper trio of David Raya and Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Regarding departures, the big news is that Leandro Trossard has left for new pastures, signing for Turkish club Besiktas for around £15.3million. Having started an average of 20 league games across his Arsenal career, his average of 13 goal contributions per campaign will certainly be missed, but there is a consensus that the left-wing/left-attack position is one that needed upgrading.
Another exit is defender Jakub Kiwior. The Poland international had just spent a season on loan with Porto. His impressive form ensured that they exercised their option to make the deal permanent for around £14.7m, and he leaves three years after moving to North London. The only other exit was backup keeper Karl Hein, who has also seen his loan made permanent — joining Werder Bremen for a fee just under £3m.
Outside of that, the Gunners have allowed a whole host of youngsters to leave for free, including: Jadon Josh Nichols, Alexei Rojas-Fedorushchenko, Samuel Onyekachukwu, Will Lannin-Sweet, Cam’ron Ismail, Seb Ferdinand, Harrison Dudziak and Sam Chapman.
Tottenham are about to bank a transfer windfall as they look to balance their summer spending at least a little. Spurs have been the Premier League’s biggest spenders so far this summer, splashing out more than £235million to improve their squad so far, and there is still more to come.
Jan Paul van Hecke, Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes followed a few smart signings early in the window, and Roberto De Zerbi can already look forward to calling upon a much stronger squad next season. De Zerbi will be expected to lead Tottenham into Europe given the level of spending, and an attacking signing or two is still likely before the end of the window.
Tottenham close to sealing significant cash boost
via Reuters
Spurs have the space to spend this summer as far as Profit and Sustainability Rules are concerned, but it is a wise idea to balance the spending where possible to prevent future spending being restricted. Sales are expected this summer, with Cristian Romero and Guglielmo Vicario expected to leave, while Lucas Bergvall is also being linked with an exit. Luka Vuskovic has already left on a big-money move to Brighton.
The next to leave looks to be 21-year-old striker Will Lankshear, who now looks set to join Middlesbrough. Fabrizio Romano posted on X: “Will Lankshear leaves Tottenham and joins Middlesbrough, medical today and all sealed between clubs. Permanent move from #THFC, as @AlasdairGold reported.”
Lankshear joined Spurs for around £2million from Sheffield United, and Alasdair Gold now suggests Boro are paying £14million that could rise to £20million, banking Spurs a huge profit whether those add-ons are ultimately activated or not.
Lankshear spent last season on loan with Oxford United, where he will have caught Boro’s attention, scoring 11 times.
Lankshear could ‘go to the top’
Lankshear did get some opportunities for Spurs under Angie Postecoglou, who said after his debut: “Will was good. We kind of brought him in this last week. He’s looked bright in training. He worked hard. He’s had a very good year last year and it’s about rewarding him for that. It’s about coming on and making an impact. He did well and he took his goal well.”
Oxford boss Matt Bloomfield said last season that Lankshear could ‘go to the top’ after he impressed in the Championship despite his youth. He said after one game: “That’s Will – one between the posts, and one from outside the box. He’s got such a strong side-foot finish.
“I’ve seen him do that curler one where he just bends it multiple times on the training ground and probably the biggest surprise is that it’s taken until today for one to come out in a game. His finishing, dedication to his craft and single-minded desire to be the best he can be, I think he’s a credit to himself. There’s so much to admire about him, and he’s going to go to the top.”
Premier League referee Anthony Taylor has called time on his career following the 2026 World Cup and believes “the time is right to step aside.”
Taylor was one of the English officials selected for the World Cup, and his final game was Spain’s 1-0 win against Portugal in the Round of 16. He has retired from officiating international football, as well as club football.
After 16 seasons refereeing in the Premier League, the 47-year-old is moving onto the next chapter of his career. He is one of English football’s most respected officials and has been handed some of the biggest matches in the sport’s history.
Anthony Taylor Announces Retirement
Taylor called the shots in Real Madrid’s win over Borussia Dortmund in the 2024 UEFA Champions League final. He has spent two decades in the game, overseeing 831 matches.
The Wythenshawe-born referee announced his decision on Tuesday (July 21st), saying in a statement, “Officiating at the elite level has been an immense privilege, but the pressure is intense, and the scrutiny is constant. The time is now right to step aside and look forward to transitioning to the next chapter of my career.”
He added: “I want to express my deepest gratitude to my two assistants Gary and Adam, my refereeing colleagues and everyone connected with the game for all their support over the years. Most importantly, I want to thank my family and friends for their unwavering support throughout the immense sacrifices this career has demanded.”
Taylor began his career refereeing local leagues before taking to the Northern Premier League in 2002. He made the transition into full-time elite refereeing in 2012, having previously worked as a prison officer at HMP Styal.
His Premier League debut came in February 2010, and he earned a permanent promotion to Select Group 1 ahead of the 2010-11 campaign. In 2017, he made history when he became the first referee to call two FA Cup finals since Arthur Kingscott.
Taylor became a FIFA referee in 2013 and has officiated several famous matches, including the UEFA Nations League final in 2021. He was heralded for his composure during Denmark’s Euro 2020 clash with Finland after Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch.
