Arsenal Move for PSG Prospect Mbemba as Rogers Hunt Turns to Gibbs-White

Arsenal have tabled an offer to bring Paris Saint-Germain's Emmanuel Mbemba to the club on a free transfer, with the 18-year-old defender set to chart his next move this summer.

The Gunners have enjoyed a stellar campaign under Mikel Arteta, clinching their first Premier League crown in 22 years. Though they fell short in the Champions League final last week, succumbing to PSG 4-3 on penalties, the European revenue will provide welcome ammunition in the transfer market.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has indicated Arsenal are primed to land at least three new faces before the window closes, with a top-tier winger, a central midfielder, and a right-back forming the backbone of their shopping list.

"Arsenal have already started working and planning for summer signings. At least three signings are expected, could be even more based on exits," Romano explained. "Top winger the priority; midfielder and right back also almost guaranteed. Strikers situation to follow."

According to Le Parisien, Mbemba—who can operate at left-back or centre-back—is available following the expiration of his youth deal at PSG. Both Arsenal and Paris FC have submitted proposals as the France Under-18 international weighs his options. The Gunners have "scouted him several times during the season" and are "the latest club to have presented its project" to the prospect.

There's a catch, however: the teenager currently lacks the requisite work permit points to immediately feature in English football, meaning Arsenal would likely need to arrange a loan spell elsewhere first should they pursue the deal.

Elsewhere, The Sun reports that Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White has emerged on Arsenal's radar as a potential fallback option should their pursuit of Morgan Rogers falter.

Paul Merson is backing the Gunners to mount another title challenge come autumn, having constructed a squad capable of consistent excellence. "I just think Arsenal are a proper solid, solid football team with solid seven, eight out of 10 players, week in, week out," Merson told the Sports Agents podcast.

Despite the defensive wobbles that cost them in Paris, Merson believes Arsenal remain formidable. "If they'd have held on, didn't give away the penalty and won 1-0, we'd be sitting here now saying it's a masterclass of all masterclasses," he noted.

The pundit reckons a clinical striker with genuine pace could be the missing piece. "They're screaming out for a centre forward with pace. I think if they can get a centre forward with pace, who's electric, then I think they'll dominate, and I think they've got every chance of the Champions League next year."

Merson floated the names of PSG's Désiré Doué and Manchester City's Julián Alvarez as potential targets. "I would like a Doué and an Alvarez, and if they got them, then wow – I dread to think who's going to stop Arsenal!"