ARSENAL are looking ahead to a busy summer transfer window after another trophyless season.
One of Arsenal’s targets Nico Williams is reportedly ‘reluctant’ on a move, not only to the Gunners, but to any move abroad, with Barcelona still interested.
Elsewhere, the Gunners have held talks with West Ham’s Kudus, with the club looking to offload him in the summer.
In other news, Real Madrid are planning a final SWOOP for Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi, with the Gunners still yet to get a deal over the line for the Spanish midfielder.
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Follow ALL of the latest news, rumours and transfer updates from the Emirates below…
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Real bid to hijack Zubimendi move
Real Madrid could stun Arsenal by landing Martin Zubimendi.
The Spain midfielder’s switch from Real Sociedad to the Emirates had appeared certain.
But Madrid are reportedly preparing a “final offensive” to recruit the 26-year-old.
The Gunners are losing Jorginho, while fellow anchorman Thomas Partey has yet to agree a new Emirates contract.
And Arsenal chief Mikel Arteta is keen to find a long-term partner for Declan Rice in the centre.
But reports in Spain say Madrid are very much still in the race for Zubimendi.
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‘Sesko more likely than Gyokeres’
Benjamin Sesko is rated Arsenal’s most likely recruit up front – despite Viktor Gyokeres still being on the radar.
The Gunners and Manchester United are both keen on Sporting Lisbon’s Gyokeres.
And it’s reckoned the Portuguese giants could now be willing to sell the Swede for around £60million, compared to his reported release clause of of nearer £85m.
But it’s increasingly suggested that Arsenal are focusing more on Sesko.
Sky Germany even say the Gunners have opened talks with RB Leipzig over the 22-year-old Slovenian.
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Gunners wait on Thomas
Thomas Partey’s future is still up in the air.
Arsenal are understood to have handed their midfielder a “competitive offer”.
But Barcelona are amongst the rival clubs linked with the anchorman, who will be 32 on Friday.
Partey will be available on a free transfer at the end of June, following five years at the Emirates.
The Ghanaian is said to be “cautious” over extending his stay.
One reason could be the expected arrival of Spain star Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad.
Credit: Getty
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Gaard of honour
Martin Odegaard got an assist for Erling Haaland as Norway beat Italy 3-0 on Friday night.
The Norwegians have won all three of their World Cup qualifying games so far, scoring 12 goals in the process.
And with five assists, Odegaard tops the assist charts so far.
Gunners supporters hope bringing in a striker like Benjamin Sesko will get the best out their skipper once again, with one saying: “Almost as if having an elite striker in front of him helped a bit with his supposed lack of creativity.”
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‘Arsenal fans should worry’
French icon Marcel Desailly believes William Saliba will stay at Arsenal… but not in the long-term.
He told Oddspedia: “One worry for Arsenal fans is that he has had three and will probably have four seasons in the first-team.
“Will he want a change? We know that Arsenal are never number one.
“This season he will stay there. I don’t see him going anywhere.
“But in the future I could see him at Real Madrid with a new lifestyle, Arsenal fans should worry.
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Partey time’s up?
Arsenal reportedly tabled a “competitive offer” to Thomas Partey around ten days ago.
The club are yet to hear whether the midfielder will accept or leave on a free at the end of this month.
Partey is said to be “cautious” over signing the deal as he is unclear on his squad status amid Martin Zubimendi’s arrival from Real Sociedad.
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Kepa’s wage cut
Prior to joining Bournemouth on loan last season, Kepa Arrizabalaga signed a new contract at Chelsea that lowered his wages.
It helped him seal the move to the south coast and his pending £5m switch to Arsenal.
The Spaniard knows he is joining to compete with David Raya and the club feel he has the right attitude to be back-up.
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Mex appeal
Arsenal icon Aaron Ramsey is being targeted by Mexican club Pumas UNAM.
The Welshman took interim charge of boyhood club Cardiff City for the final three games of last season but could not save them from relegation to League One.
The Bluebirds are dithering over whether to hand him to reins on a full-time basis.
His playing contract ends this month and Pumas have reportedly seen an opportunity.
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New chief to join
Arsenal are set to appoint Matteo Tognozzi in a senior recruitment role, according to reports.
Tognozzi has previously worked with Juventus and Granada.
He is set to assist new sporting director Andrea Berta and James Ellis as head of recruitment.
It comes following Jason Ayto’s departure, who filled in on an interim basis after Edu quit.
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Sesko in wait
Benjamin Sesko is set to become Arsenal’s new No9 and is “now waiting for agreements” over a move.
The RB Leipzig goalscorer is reportedly keen on a move to North London.
Sky Germany claim negotiations between the two clubs have began and Sesko is hopeful a fee can be agreed.
The Bundesliga club received a formal approach from Arsenal yesterday.
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Kepa deal not done yet
Arsenal are close to signing Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea.
The goalkeeper has a £5m release clause in his contract and he is set to join as back-up to Spanish compatriot David Raya.
Arsenal are yet to activate that clause in Kepa’s deal, presenting Bournemouth with a chance to hijack the deal.
Reports suggest the Cherries, who had him on loan last season, could make a late swoop.
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Looking ahead
Arsenal may have only just wrapped up the 2024-25 season.
But it is not that long to go until pre-season for the next campaign.
And three fixtures have been confirmed so far in the Far East.
- Arsenal vs AC Milan in Singapore, Weds July 23, 12.30pm UK time
- Arsenal vs Newcastle in Singapore, Sun July 27, 12.30pm UK time
- Arsenal vs Tottenham in Hong Kong, Thurs July 31, 12.30pm UK time
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Will I never
Robbie Williams took a cheeky dig at Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Friday night.
The singer was performing at the Gunners’ home ground on the second night of his European tour.
The Port Vale fan got Arsenal fans to cheer and those who support a different team to boo.
He then joked: “How far away are Arsenal from a European trophy?
“Four f***ing miles,” prompting wild cheers from any Spurs fans in the audience.
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In his Diomand
Crystal Palace and Aston Villa have joined Arsenal and Chelsea in the transfer chase for Ousmane Diomande.
Centre-back Diomande, 21, has made a name for himself with his excellent performances for Sporting.
That has earned plenty of interest from clubs in England.
But now reports state Europa League sides Villa and Palace are keen to make approaches for the Gunners and Blues target.
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Tuchel: Rice was ‘out of rhythm’
Thomas Tuchel revealed he left Declan Rice out of the starting XI against Andorra because he looked “out of rhythm”.
England laboured to a drab 1-0 win in Barcelona in their World Cup qualifier.
Rice came on as a late sub but Jordan Henderson started in midfield.
And Tuchel said: “Declan looked a little bit out of rhythm and I think Jordan deserved to play.
“And also for what Jordan brings to this group, well deserved.
“We started well and then lost the rhythm and precision and also the energy to be more decisive and score more goals.
“It is necessary that we look at it and then present in detail to the players what we don’t like, what we want to do better and what are the standards.”
Credit: AP
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Ox a Fox in the box
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could make a transfer return to England this summer… by joining Leicester.
The former Arsenal and Liverpool man has played under NINE different managers in two years at Besiktas.
But with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side keen to get his chunky salary off the wage bill, reports in Turkey suggest Leicester could offer him a route back into English football, albeit in the Championship.
SunSport revealed in January the Foxes were interested in signing Oxlade-Chamberlain but a deal did not materialise.
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Would be in-Sane
Arsenal have moved ahead of rivals Tottenham in the race for Leroy Sane, according to reports.
Bild state that the Gunners are in pole position to swoop should the German decide to leave Bayern Munich.
His current deal expires at the end of this month.
The ex-Manchester City man has hired a new agent – but signing a contract extension at the Allianz remains on the cards.
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Kud be keen?
Arsenal have reportedly opened talks with West Ham over Mohammed Kudus.
The Ghana winger is expected to be at the centre of a transfer tug-of-war this summer.
And Football Transfers claim the Gunners want to test the Hammers’ resolve.
Kudus reportedly has an £84m release clause.
Arsenal will not pay that much and instead hope to seal a deal for around £50m.
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Bukayo blow
Bukayo Saka missed England’s dire 1-0 win over Andorra in World Cup qualifying.
Saka only trained once with his Three Lions team-mates ahead of the clash in Barcelona amid fitness issues.
The winger picked up a knock on the final day of the season against Southampton and was not risked.
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FINDERS KEPAS
Arsenal are on the verge of signing Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, reports claim.
And the Gunners will pay just a £5m release clause to their London rivals, who once made Kepa the world’s most expensive goalkeeper.
Arsenal had made Kepa their top target as they look to recruit a deputy to No 1 goalkeeper David Raya.
But the 30-year-old Spanish stopper, who just enjoyed a solid season as Bournemouth’s first-choice stopper, won’t settle for a No 2 spot under Mikel Arteta.
According to The Athletic, Arsenal are “close” to activating Kepa’s £5m release clause, after he kept nine clean sheets in 31 Prem appearances this term.
Kepa has just 12 months left on his contract at Stamford Bridge, having made 35 appearances at Bournemouth in all competitions.
The Spaniard joined Chelsea for a £71.6m fee from Athletic Club in 2018 and has featured 163 times for the West London side, winning four major honours.
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Jor next move
Arsenal confirmed Jorginho’s release yesterday.
But the Italian was not out of work for long.
He has signed a three-year deal with Flamengo.
And the midfielder could face former employers Chelsea in the Club World Cup on June 20.
Credit: X @Flamengo
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Tell me Mor
Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers has emerged as a summer transfer target for Arsenal.
According to The Times, the Gunners would have to offer a “significant fee” to prize Rogers away from Villa Park.
The playmaker only joined Villa in 2023 for £15million from Middlesbrough and extended his contract until 2030 last November.
But missing out on the Champions League could see players move away this summer as the Villans are at serious risk from PSR rules, according to research undertaken by The Athletic.
The club have lost £206.2m in the past two seasons, the highest deficit in the Premier League in that time.
Research from the outlet suggests project Villa can only lose £15m in 2024-25 and remain in line with Prem rules.
As a result, they may be forced to listen to offers for a number of stars this summer.
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Red Bullish
Arsenal are going in for RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.
The 22-year-old Slovenian forward has been on the Gunners’ wishlist since last summer.
And reports suggest a deal is being discussed between the two sides over the international weekend.
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Out of the Blue
Former Arsenal star Aaron Ramsey could be set for a shock move to MEXICO.
The ex-Gunners star is currently on the books at Cardiff.
Reports in Mexico suggest Liga MX side Pumas are planning an audacious swoop.
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Nic of time
Nico Williams’ wage demands are currently proving a stumbling block as Arsenal pursue the Athletic Bilbao star.
Williams has a £51million release clause with Mikel Arteta reportedly a huge fan of the Spanish winger.
Reports in Spain suggest Williams is looking to be one of the highest earners at the Emirates.
Kai Havertz is currently top of the wage bill, bringing in £280,000-a-week.
Credit: Getty
