ARSENAL are looking ahead to what is expected to be a MASSIVE summer transfer window for the club.
A new striker is top of the transfer shortlist, with the Gunners linked with numerous names.
RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko is said to be the top target but Arsenal are also linked with Newcastle star Alexander Isak, who has a whopping £105million price-tag, and Porto hitman Samu Aghehowa.
Elsewhere, the Gunners are reportedly chasing Toon skipper Bruno Guimaraes.
In other news, Arsenal are said to be plotting a summer move for Atheltic Bilbao winger Nico Williams.
And Mikel Arteta has suggested that Bukayo Saka could return from a long injury layoff after the international break.
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Follow ALL of the latest news, rumours and transfer updates from the Emirates below…
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Arteta on Merino’s striker role
“And we know that, that was the emergency situation that we are in at the moment, but the way he’s approaching it is incredible.
“He wants to understand everything, he wants to learn from it, he’s very critical of himself all the time and at the end, the reality is that he’s winning football matches for us, which is incredible. He’s never played in that position before in his life.”
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Odegaard’s Saka notes
Martin Odegaard has revealed more about Bukayo Saka’s progress from injury in his programme notes for the Chelsea game.
He wrote: “He’s around us every day at Sobha, and he’s so determined to come back as soon as he can.
“I know what it’s like when you feel you are so close to being able to play, but not quite there, you feel you are ready.
“But he just has to make sure he takes his time and is fully sharp when he does get back out on the pitch. He’s getting closer, and we want to see him back as well of course because losing his qualities is a big miss for any team.”
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Stadium plans
ARSENAL are exploring ways to expand the Emirates’ capacity after being approached by an architect, reports claim.
It comes as Premier League rivals are moving quickly to expand their grounds or building new ones to supercharge financial revenue.
Arsenal are now mulling over their options as they attempt to keep up, according to The Mail.
Talks are reportedly at an early stage, with a number of potential options being considered.
The cost and the length of the project are the main factors being discussed by Arsenal chiefs, while the impact on the surrounding area is also a major factor.
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Hilarious Arteta
Mikel Arteta kept a Sky Sports reporter on his toes by pretending to walk out of his post-match interview.
The Spaniard was feeling in a comical mood following his side’s 1-0 win over Chelsea.
See the hilarious video in our story below.
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Ozil’s return
Mesut Ozil returned to the Emirates to cheer Arsenal on against Chelsea.
The German World Cup winner showed a picture of his seat, while captioning the snap with his trademark: “YaGunnersYa.”
Ozil was famously frozen out by Mikel Arteta, before he was forced to leave the club.
However, clearly there are no hard feelings.
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Sane link
ARSENAL are reportedly interested in signing Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sane.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is in desperate need of some attacking reinforcements.
The club’s recent injury crisis has highlighted the lack of squad depth at the Emirates, with 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri, Leandro Trossard and on-loan winger Raheem Sterling the only available options in attack.
Arteta is determined to strengthen his squad when the summer transfer window opens.
And German outlet Bild has claimed that Sane could be a top pick.
The 29-year-old’s Bayern Munich contract is set to expire at the end of the season.
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Williams talks
ARSENAL have contacted Nico Williams’ representatives about a bargain summer transfer, according to reports.
The Gunners are hoping to significantly bolster their attack ahead of next season.
Williams, 22, has excelled in LaLiga with Athletic Bilbao and was among Spain’s star players as they won Euro 2024 last year.
According to Bild reporter Christian Falk, Arsenal have opened dialogue with Williams’ management team over a potential summer move.
The winger has a release clause in his contract, understood to stand somewhere between £48million and £67m.
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Williams on his love for Bilbao
Nico Williams, a target for Arsenal and Man Utd, has spoken of his love for his current club, Athletic Bilbao.
Williams told France Football: “This relationship we have at the heart of the club is incredible. Everyone respects everyone else, which is incredible.
“This atmosphere, I’ll never have it anywhere else. I decided to stay because of that. I took the decision I thought was the right one. I’m happy, and I’m trying to do my best.”
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Arteta on the title
Mikel Arteta isn’t completely giving up on the title race.
The Spaniard admits, though, they are taking each game as it comes.
He said: “We have to win our football matches, that’s what we have to do, win against Fulham and we’ll be closer.”
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‘Decided’ on Osimhen
Man Utd are reportedly decided on Victor Osimhen as their top transfer target in the summer.
The Red Devils are in the market to replace Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund, who have struggled up front.
According to Italian journalist Niccolo Ceccarini, via Tuttomercatoweb, Juventus, Arsenal and Paris Saint-German are also tracking the Nigerian.
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Funny Arteta
MIKEL ARTETA left Sky Sports’ panel in stitches after giving an update on Bukayo Saka’s fitness.
Arteta was in a happy mood during his post-match interview with Sky Sports, so much so that he mocked his viral antics after last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United.
The Spaniard pretended to storm out of his interview with the broadcaster as he did after the Gunners’ slim title hopes went up in smoke at Old Trafford.
“I’m in,” the former Gunners midfielder said with a smile on his face after diving back into the frame. “He’s got a good chance [of returning after the international break].”
Sky’s interviewer saw the funny side of Arteta’s antics, as did presenter Dave Jones.
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Hato link
Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Jorrel Hato at the end of the season, according to reports.
TBR football claim the Gunners have been following the Ajax defender for two years.
Liverpool are also believed to be interested in the versatile defender who can operate at left-back and centre back.
It has been said that a fee of around £30million could be enough to secure the 19-year-old’s services.
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Match report
Arsenal saw off Chelsea – thanks to a goal from Mikel Merino.
Here’s what SunSport’s Jordan Davies made of the performance.
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Biereth regret?
Arsenal let Mika Biereth join Sturm Graz last summer in a deal worth £4million – and now he’s worth an estimated five-times that.
The 22-year-old striker could have been useful due to the Gunners’ injury issues upfront this term.
He impressed for the Swiss side so much that Monaco came calling in January, snapping up the Danish forward.
Biereth now has 22 goals this season, including hitting a ridiculous three hat-tricks since joining Monaco.
According to The Athletic, Mike Arteta was happy for Biereth to leave as he didn’t fit the “profile” of striker he wanted upfront.
Credit: AFP -
Summer swoop
Arsenal are targeting a summer move for Espanyol right back Omar El Hilali, SunSport can reveal.
The 21-year-old has enjoyed a strong season in LaLiga and has previously admitted to snubbing Barcelona.
Credit: Getty
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‘I’m really happy at Arsenal’, says Saliba
William Saliba says he is “really happy” at Arsenal amid interest from Real Madrid – and wants to cement his North London legacy with trophies.
Ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League last 16 clash with PSV, Saliba said: “I’m really happy here. I’ve been here for two years and a half as well.
“There is nothing [to discuss]. I’m happy and I want to continue here.”
Real Madrid are said to be interested in the towering centre back.
Real Madrid see Arsenal star William Saliba as an ‘absolute priority’Credit: Getty -
Flash from the past
Technically the past, though not a noteworthy one, Mika Biereth is certainly now a star for the now and tomorrow.
The former Arsenal youth player has 11 goals in nine league goals for Monaco since moving in January.
Return to Hale End?
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Williams contact
The purist for Athletic star Nico Williams is set to ramp up in the coming months.
Arsenal are in prime postion and the Mail Sport cited that contact with the Euro 2024 winner’s representatives over a potential transfer have been made in what could be one of the coups of the summer.
Not a bad way for Berta to start his tenure.
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Incoming Berta
No need to worry Arsenal fans… he’s coming.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has reported former Atlético de Madrid sporting director Andrea Berta will start his new chapter as Arsenal director in the upcoming weeks, plan confirmed.
The contract has been sealed last week as reported and the new director already spoke with Mikel Arteta about future plans.
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Arteta push for Nunez
More Fichajes news.
The publciation states that Liverpool’s search for a striker is balanced by their willingness to sell Darwin Nunez.
With Mikel Arteta pushing for a move to keep the mercurial Uruguayan forward in the Premier League.
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Real intrest in Calafiori
Myles Lewis-Skelly emrgence in the Arsenal team has felt like a new signing leaving the actual new singing Riccardo Calafiori scrapping for more starts than he would’ve imagined upon moving from Italy.
Spanish publication, Fichajes, are citing that if Arsenal do allow Riccardo Calafiori to leave north London one short year after arriving, they would demand €80m (£67.5m) from Real Madrid.
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Keen on Malick
Olympique Lyon’s financial situation which needs them to make up around €100-120 million before the end of the financial year as debts reportedly rose from €458 million to €508 million.
Assets such as Rayan Cherki and Georges Mikautadze are expected to be sold come the summer.
Malick Fofana could join them, as CaughtOffside reports that Arsenal and Liverpool are among the clubs keen on signing Lyon’s 19-year old winger.
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Osimhen race
Victor Osimhen has taken a somewhat sabatical-like year from the top tier of European football as he applies his trade in Turkey.
However, his performances for Galatasaray (on loan from Napoli) – scoring 26 goals in 30 – has enhanced interest rather than temper it.
Niccolò Ceccarini reports that Manchester United, Arsenal and Juventus will all try to sign Victor Osimhen this summer.
He has a £63m release clause, which will need to triggered.
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Calafiori on Saka’s return
Riccardo Calafiori has revealed he believes Bukayo Saka’s imminent return to injury will fire the Gunners to glory.
“Everyone will be happy if he comes back, he’s a top player and he will make the difference for sure,” the Italian said.
“You can see when he’s on the pitch that he makes a big difference, he’s an important player for us, he’s a top guy as well so I wish he can play for us.
“He’s going to do everything to come back for this big game but I’m not even thinking of Real Madrid right now, I’m thinking about Chelsea and then the national team, then we’ll see.”
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Keown’s Nwaneri fear
MARTIN KEOWN is desperate for Ethan Nwaneri NOT to get an England call-up this month over fears of fatigue.
TNT pundit Keown explained: “There’s a chance [Nwaneri] may make the international team. That’s a concern, that’s a worry.
“You take it if it comes but if it doesn’t, then he gets a nice bit of time with the manager, resting up between games so there’s a balance.
“It does one thing for confidence but another for the body. When you’re 17, you’re not even fully developed in terms of your cardiovascular system. You’re not really a man yet.
“There’s still some growing to do, and recently he has looked tired, like he was blowing, and this is normal for a 17-year-old kid.
“So it might be a time where he needs resting. And if he doesn’t make the full squad, does he need to be involved in the U21s?
“This has got to be sensibly managed between now and the end of the season.”
