DANIEL EK has stated that he has lodged an official bid to take over Arsenal.
However, he added that the Kroenke family declared that they “don’t need the money”.
On the transfer front, Arsenal are reportedly willing to sell Nicolas Pepe, should the right offer be made.
The Gunners have a number of big transfer targets this summer, including Rennes wonderkid Eduardo Camavinga.
Get all the latest Arsenal news, transfer gossip and updates with our live blog…
WRIGH OH WHY
Arsenal legend Ian Wright revealed his dismay at the stark contrast between his old club and Leicester’s heartwarming FA Cup glory.
The Foxes lifted the trophy for the first time on Saturday with a 1-0 win over Chelsea in front of 21,000 fans at Wembley.
And Wright told BBC Sport that the moment was ‘magnificent’ – but left him with a touch of ‘jealousy’ as a Gooner.
The ex-striker, 57, said: “I tell you what, look at him with the players, with the manager.
“The jealousy I feel, knowing an owner can be like that… Honestly, it breaks my heart.
“I’m absolutely delighted for Leicester and him. Magnificent, magnificent. Brilliant.”
FIN LINE
Real Betis favourite Finidi George has told Nabil Fekir to keep working hard if he wants to earn a move to Arsenal.
He told Tribal Football: “Nabil is young and he is a good player.
“If he keeps working hard, keeps his cool and is disciplined, I think he might play for top clubs in Europe.
“Going to Arsenal or Real Madrid depends on him. I think he has the quality. If he has the mindset, I think he can make it.
“He has to continue to do his best for his club and hopefully the bigger clubs will come one day knocking at the door.”
WILL I NEVER
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has claimed Arsenal will demand around £30m before they even consider selling Joe Willock this summer.
Speaking on the Arsenal Lounge, he said: “Arsenal are not going to accept €15 million or €12 million or €20 million.
“They want around €30 million, €35 million to start negotiations. Let’s see if they can find an agreement.”
WHAT THE EK
Spotify owner Daniel Ek has confirmed that he made a failed attempt to buy Arsenal.
PEPE TALK
Nicolas Pepe could reportedly depart Arsenal in the summer should they receive a suitable offer.
Commenting on his future, Fabrizio Romano told the Arsenal Lounge: “The feeling around the player is that Arsenal will try again with him, will try with Arteta also to build this consideration in Europe and let’s see what happens next season.
“But if an important bid will arrive Arsenal are open to consider, but at the moment it’s really difficult to have this money for this player.”
‘WIDER IMPLICATIONS’
Arsenal have spoken to Mohamed Elneny about his pro-Palestinian social media post.
“As with any employees of Arsenal, our players are entitled to express their views on their own platforms,” the club told Sky Sports News.
“That said we have spoken to Mo about this so he understands the wider implications of his post.
“As a club we are committed to confronting and eliminating all forms of discrimination and continue to champion the need for equality and diversity across all areas of life.”
OUT OF TUNE
Ian Wright threatened to walk off from BBC’s FA Cup final coverage after Gary Lineker aired his 1993 music video.
Wright joked about leaving after his timeless attempt at pop stardom was shown on TV.
Wright joked: “No! Why are you showing this? I’m going, I’m not staying, get it off!”
Lineker returned the favour on Wright after footage of the BBC presenter’s awkward dancing and miming along in an England Euro 88 song.
CHELSEA 0 LEICESTER 1
Youri Tielemans glorious strike gave Leicester FA Cup final glory at the fifth attempt as Chelsea had a last-minute goal controversially ruled out on VAR.
Tielemans hit a 25-yard top-corner special on 63 minutes – before the video assistant referee adjudged Blues’ sub Ben Chilwell millimetres offside when his cross was deflected home by Foxes’ sub Wes Morgan.
Read SunSport’s match report HERE.
NO SALE
Arsenal have denied receiving a takeover approach from the club legend consortium led by Spotify founder Daniel Ek.
The Swedish billionaire, 38, has claimed to be formulating a £1.8million bid to buy the Premier League side from unpopular owner Stan Kroenke.
Fan protests against the American have escalated since the Gunners’ attempt to join the doomed European Super League.
Arsenal supporter Ek promptly announced his intention to buy the club with the help of Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Patrick Vieira.
But a spokesperson for the North London outfit has denied receiving any official approach.
Kroenke Sports Entertainment insist they have no intention of letting the club go despite the fan fury.
ICYMI
Sol Campbell met with England officials on Thursday for discussions over the vacant Under-21s job.
SunSport exclusively revealed earlier this month that the ex-Arsenal defender, 46, had thrown his hat in the ring to succeed Aidy Boothroyd.
It remains to be seen whether he will get the nod over the likes of current Under-17s chief Justin Cochrane and Liam Rosenior, who are also in the frame.
Campbell, who won 73 caps for the Three Lions, previously bossed Macclesfield and Southend.
Boothroyd is leaving this summer when his contract expires after presiding over a second successive group-stage exit from the Euros.
Prospective candidates have been encouraged to apply as the FA conducts a ‘formal open process’ to appoint the new boss.
DAY TO REMEMBER
The Gunners throwing it back to their best ever season on this day…
NOT WRIGHT DEAL
Arsenal should not sign Dani Ceballos from Real Madrid on a permanent deal, according to club legend Ian Wright.
The Spanish midfielder is currently on loan until the end of the season.
Wright told Premier League Productions: “I don’t think we should be signing Ceballos, I just don’t think he’s what we need now.
“I think that we’ve got young players coming through who should get an opportunity in front of Ceballos.
“If he’s going to do anything to stay at Arsenal it would’ve been seen already by now.”
Wright has not been convinced by Ceballos during his time at the Emirates and believes the club should put their faith in younger players.
FIN LINE
Real Betis favourite Finidi George has told Nabil Fekir to keep working hard if he wants to earn a move to Arsenal.
Previously linked with the Gunners and Liverpool, Fekir has hit four goals for Betis this season.
And ex-Nigeria international George told Tribal Football: “Nabil is young and he is a good player.
“If he keeps working hard, keeps his cool and is disciplined, I think he might play for top clubs in Europe.
“Going to Arsenal or Real Madrid depends on him. I think he has the quality. If he has the mindset, I think he can make it.
“He has to continue to do his best for his club and hopefully the bigger clubs will come one day knocking at the door.”
ELNENY CONTINUED
In a statement to the JC, an Arsenal spokesman said: “As with any employees of Arsenal, our players are entitled to express their views on their own platforms.
“That said, we are speaking to Mo about this so he understands the wider implications of his post.
“As a club we are committed to confronting and eliminating all forms of discrimination and continue to champion the need for equality and diversity across all areas of life.”
MO LAUGHING MATTER
Arsenal sponsor Lavazza are holding ‘urgent talks’ with the club after a controversial tweet from Mohamed Elneny.
The Egyptian midfielder posted a pro-Palestine message amid the worsening conflict with Israel.
The Jewish Chronicle reported coffee group Lavazza’s insistence on urgent talks with the club following Elneny’s social media post.
The post included an image with the text ‘Palestine Lives Matter’ which shows an outline of Israel with pro-Palestine images within.
The Lavazza Group told the JC: “We’ll immediately reach out to Arsenal to remark we are concerned about the club associated with such a message.
“Content of this post is totally not aligned with our company values. Lavazza Group is fully committed against racism and antisemitism.”
FOCUS ON IT
Alex Scott has been named as the new host of the BBC’s Football Focus, becoming the show’s first permanent female host in its 47-year history.
The former Arsenal and England star will take over from Dan Walker, who is stepping down after 12 years at the helm.
The 36-year-old full-back made more than 200 club appearances during her playing career, earned 140 caps for her country and represented Great Britain at the 2012 London Olympics.
Announcing the appointment in a column for BBC Sport, she wrote: “When I was a kid, I would never have watched television and thought someone like me could be presenting a programme like Football Focus.
“For the BBC to trust me with this role and allow me to be my true, authentic self means a lot.”
Alex Scott has been named as the new host of the BBC’s Football Focus PEPE TALK
Nicolas Pepe could reportedly depart Arsenal in the summer should they receive a suitable offer.
The Ivorian winger is in his second season at the Emirates, where he has chipped in with 12 goals and five assists in 45 games in all competitions.
But he has yet to justify his £72million price tag, with the ex-Lille ace failing to nail down a regular starting spot under Mikel Arteta.
Commenting on his future, Fabrizio Romano told the Arsenal Lounge: “The feeling around the player is that Arsenal will try again with him, will try with Arteta also to build this consideration in Europe and let’s see what happens next season.
“But if an important bid will arrive Arsenal are open to consider, but at the moment it’s really difficult to have this money for this player.”
MONEY SAVER
Arsenal defender Dinos Mavropanos could extend his stay at Stuttgart beyond the summer IF he is not in boss Mikel Arteta’s plans going forward.
The 23-year-old has impressed whilst on loan in Germany, and could prove a money saver if Arteta was to keep him and use him.
Stuttgart manager Pellegrino Matarazzo loves him, and said: “He’s our gladiator!
“He’s a monster in terms of physique. And when he makes a mistake, he hums around some Greek swear words. I like that. He’s just a tough dog.”
The praise of Mavropanos didn’t just come from manager Matarazzo.
Sporting director Sven Mislintat weighed in saying: “He (Mavropanos) says very clearly – if he doesn’t play a role in Arsenal’s planning, he wants to stay with us.”
TALKING TACTICS
Arsenal Women’s boss Joe Montemurro has discussed the winning tactics behind the Gunners’ title-winning side in 2019.
Take a look at the clip below.
GUNNING FOR MORE
Arsenal are reportedly ready to bring a handful of players to the club in the summer, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Speaking on the Arsenal Lounge YouTube channel, he said: “I can guarantee you 100 per cent that they are working on some positions in particular.
“Right-back, centre-back, midfielder and number 10, if Odegaard will leave, since February. So they are already talking with people, with agents and with clubs to be prepared.
“The market this summer will be particular, as always when we have the Euros or the World Cup, the summer will be the end of May or the start of June, they will start something and I expect Arsenal to do something at the beginning of the market.
“At the beginning of the market, Arsenal will be ready to do something, let’s see if it will be the right-back, the absolute priority is at right-back at the moment, that and the midfield.
“So I expect that at the beginning of the market they will be close to signing two players in these positions.”
HEART AND SOL
Sol Campbell met with England officials on Thursday for discussions over the vacant Under-21s job.
SunSport exclusively revealed earlier this month that the ex-Arsenal defender, 46, had thrown his hat in the ring to succeed Aidy Boothroyd.
It remains to be seen whether he will get the nod over the likes of current Under-17s chief Justin Cochrane and Liam Rosenior, who are also in the frame.
Campbell, who won 73 caps for the Three Lions, previously bossed Macclesfield and Southend.
Boothroyd is leaving this summer when his contract expires after presiding over a second successive group-stage exit from the Euros.
Prospective candidates have been encouraged to apply as the FA conducts a ‘formal open process’ to appoint the new boss.
Sol Campbell has been linked with the England Under-21s job
TRANSFER BATTLE
Arsenal will reportedly go toe-to-toe with bitter rivals Tottenham to sign Lyon defender Joachim Andersen.
Anderson, 24, spent the season on loan with the recently-relegated Fulham but impressed in what was a disappointing campaign for the Cottagers.
The centre-back’s displays for the west Londoners are said to have caught the eye of Arsenal, who are on the lookout for defensive reinforcements following a dismal season.
But they’re also said to have impressed the Gunners’ north London neighbours Tottenham.
And according to The Daily Telegraph, Spurs are ‘in pole position’ to sign the Denmark international.
It’s been reported Tottenham are willing to splash out close to £35million to add Andersen to their collection of centre-backs.
Tottenham are reportedly in pole position to sign Joachim Andersen TAKE XHAK
Arsenal star Granit Xhaka is reportedly seeking an exit away from the Emirates in the summer.
The Gunners midfielder could be on of a number of players that could depart North London in what looks set to be a busy window for the Gunners.
According to The Athletic, the Swiss international ‘intends’ to leave the club he has been at since 2016.
Xhaka has arguably been Arsenal’s most consistent midfielder this season.
Should he depart, Arsenal could replace him with either Yves Bissouma or Sander Berge.
RYAN AIR
Leicester have joined Arsenal in the bidding war over the departing Southampton ace Ryan Bertrand.
Bertrand confirmed on Wednesday that he will be leaving St Mary’s once his contract expires on June 30 and a raft of clubs have reportedly shown interest.
West Ham and Crystal Palace are said to be keeping tabs on the left-back, who will be available for a free transfer in the summer, and the same also goes for Arsenal.
The Gunners have been long-term admirers and manager Mikel Arteta is believed to still be keen on the 31-year-old.
According to the Evening Standard, the same goes for Leicester, who were linked with Bertrand last year.
Foxes manager Brendan Rodgers was reportedly open to reuniting with the player he worked with during his time at Chelsea’s coaching staff.
NOT THE MAINE MAN
Jermaine Jenas believes it is right for Arsenal not to offer David Luiz a new contract.
The Brazilian defender will depart the Emirates after two seasons when his deal expires at the end of the season.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live if he is surprised about the news, Jenas said: “Probably not.
“Making 30 appearances I wouldn’t have thought it’s based on his age, I know he has had more injuries than he would have liked this year.
“I think Arsenal do need to start rebuilding. I would imagine David Luiz is one of the higher earners at that football club.
“And I think it’s a smart move from them to free up some cash and go a bit younger and try and start that rebuild essentially.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
