ARSENAL will have to wait until July to approach Philipe Coutinho – but the Brazilian is reportedly free to leave Barcelona.
Reports also suggest that the Gunners could land long-term target Houssem Aouar for just £25m after Lyon missed out on the Champions League.
Elsewhere, the Gunners could be in line for a shock Riyad Mahrez transfer – with champions Man City reportedly “willing to sell”.
We’ve also the very latest on Martin Odegaard, as well as an update on Alexandre Lacazette’s Emirates future.
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PRICE IS DWIGHT
Aston Villa want to sign Burnley star Dwight McNeil and Norwich’s Arsenal target Emi Buendia, according to The Athletic.
Buendia is a key target with the playmaker attracting plenty of interest.
His form, which helped the Canaries win the Championship title, has led to interest from Arsenal and Villa.
The Argentina ace scored 15 goals and provided 17 assists during a superb campaign for the promotion winners.
Villa face major competition from Arsenal for Buendia but their interest is a statement of intent for their ambition next season.
The club are still intent on holding on to England star Jack Grealish and are looking to strengthen their current squad, rather than replace players.
HAK THAT
Arsenal have been dealt another transfer blow as Inter Milan right-back Achraf Hakimi looks set to join PSG.
The Parisians are believed to not be completely sold on loanee Alessandro Florenzi.
According to Gazzetta Dello Sport Inter need to get between £77million to £85m in transfer sales to meet the economic needs of the club.
The report states that the Nerazzurri and PSG are in the advanced stages of negotiations.
And the deal would be around £51.5m – turning a profit of £16.5m from when they acquired him permanently from Real Madrid for £34.3m back in 2020.
BERTRAND BLOW
Ryan Bertrand is now a free agent after his contract at Southampton expired.
Arsenal have shown interest in signing Bertrand in the summer transfer window.
According to Football London, however, Leicester are leading the race as they held talks with the talented left-back.
Gunners manager Mikel Arteta is looking to significantly strengthen his squad after a poor season that saw the team missing out on Europe for the first time in 25 years
BRIGHTON REACT
Brighton chief executive Paul Barber has admitted that the Seagulls may not be able to hold on to their best players in the summer.
This comes amid reports suggesting Arsenal are keeping tabs on midfielder Yves Bissouma.
Barber told The Athletic: “I don’t see it as a negative at all. The more the big clubs that are interested in our players, the more we’re doing right, so I am delighted with that.
“We know some of our best players aren’t going to be with us forever and, if the right offer comes along – and it has to be the right offer – and they want to leave, then they can go.
“If we’ve got players leaving, then we’ve got back-up internally, and we can go out into the transfer market.
“We’re always looking ahead, we’re always trying to scout the best young players and bring them into our squad, or loan them out. It’s a really important part of what we do”
FOUR-TY
Nicolas Pepe is not the only one to be celebrating his birthday within the Arsenal family.
Andrey Arshavin turned 40 today and the Gunners shared some wishes on social media.
Arshavin is still remembered by the fans when he scored four goals against Liverpool at Anfield in 2009.
The forward spent four years in the north Londoners’ books before moving to Zenit St Petersburg in 2013
TRUE ART-IST
Manchester City star Raheem Sterling has previously praised Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
The Gunners are reportedly interested in working out a deal with Sterling ahead of the summer transfer window following rumours suggesting he will be offloaded by City.
The England international previously worked with Arteta when the Spaniard was Pep Guardiola’s assistant manager at the Etihad.
Sterling previously said: “[Arteta is] a person that had a lot of say here [at City]. The manager trusted him here and he had a lot of influence on the players here and the team as well.
“So I knew once he went into Arsenal that it would be a great opportunity for him but also he would definitely implement what he wanted to bring in.
“And he’s a person that will put his foot down and not let things slide as you can see with the boys at Arsenal. They know if they don’t run they are most likely not going to play”
PEP TALK
Arsenal star Nicolas Pepe has been included in the Europa League Squad of the Season.
Pepe joins six Manchester United players, that is Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Scott McTominay, Paul Pogba, Bruno Fernandes and Edinson Cavani.
The winger had the joint-highest goal contribution – along with Villarreal star Gerard Moreno – in the Europa League as he scored six times and amassed four assists.
Not a bad way for the Ivory Coast international to celebrate his 25th birthday
FINAL EURO SQUAD
England manager Gareth Southgate is expected to name his final squad on Tuesday 1 June.
Southgate named his provisional 33-man shortlist on Tuesday ahead of Euro 2020 but seven players will soon be cut.
So far Bukayo Saka is the only Arsenal player who made the cut ahead of the European championships.
The England boss said: “There are 12 players still to play so we’re always going to need additional players and added to that we have some injuries at different stages, that we have very little info about.
“We felt more time will help us make better decisions. Our preference was to name the 26, but we have not got an ideal hand of cards – a lot of unknowns.
“Info and evidence are very important and we will have a lot more in the next seven days”
STERLING/MAHREZ SALE EXPLAINED
Manchester City appear set to sell Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez ahead of the summer transfer window.
The likes of Arsenal, Real Madrid and Barcelona are monitoring the situation.
According to Metro, manager Pep Guardiola is pulling out all the stops to fund potential moves for the likes of Tottenham star Harry Kane, Borussia Dortmund superstar Erling Haaland and Aston Villa ace Jack Grealish.
Gabriel Jesus and Aymeric Laporte could also be let go in the next couple of months
STERLING OPPOSITION
Arsenal have reportedly expressed interest in signing Raheem Sterling in the summer.
Sterling has been deemed surplus to requirements, along with Riyad Mahrez, and the Gunners are keeping tabs on the attacking duo.
However, the north Londoners, who missed out on European qualification for the first time in 25 years, look set to face some fierce opposition from Real Madrid and Barcelona.
That is according to Metro, who claim that the LaLiga giants will make a move for the England international as they look to strengthen their attack after a lacklustre season
LOCK & LOAD
Arsenal have congratulated Joe Willock for being named Premier League Player of the Month.
Willock stood out during his loan stint at Newcastle where he joined up from the Gunners in January.
The midfielder finished the season in style as he scored seven goals in seven consecutive matches.
The 21-year-old is the first Newcastle player to win the award since Alan Shearer in 1996.
CITY SALE
Arsenal are on red alert as Manchester City seem set to sell Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez during the summer transfer window.
Sterling and Mahrez have been very impressive during their tenure in City’s frontline.
According to the Daily Mail, however, the attacking duo has been deemed surplus to requirements.
Nevertheless, the Gunners’ financial limits combined with their failure to qualify for Europe would make it quite difficult to land the two wingers
GETTY IMAGES XHAKA SWAP
Roma may offer midfielder Amadou Diawara plaus cash in return for Granit Xhaka.
Xhaka has been linked with a move away as the midfielder seems keen to try his luck elsewhere and incoming Giallorossi manager Jose Mourinho rates him highly.
However, the Gunners rate the Switzerland international at £21.5million whereas the Serie A giants are offering £10m.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Roma are looking to sweeten the deal by swapping Diawara
XHAKA DEMAND
Arsenal are demanding £21.5million for Granit Xhaka, who has been linked with a move to Roma.
But Jose Mourinho’s new side only want to pay a mere £10m to land Xhaka this summer.
The star midfielder has been a vital part of manager Mikel Arteta’s reign, playing as a central partner for Thomas Partey and also as a makeshift left-back.
Sky in Italy report that the Gunners will hold out for a fee in the region of £21.5m to let him go.
SALIBA EXIT
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is reportedly bracing himself for offers for centre-back William Saliba.
Saliba joined the Gunners for £27million in 2019 and spent the second half of the season with Nice after playing on loan for St-Etienne last term.
The 20-year-old has yet to make an appearance for Arsenal ever since his move from St-Etienne.
According to Kicker, Bayer Leverkusen have been keeping tabs on Saliba during his time in France and are ready to make their move.
The Frenchman was a regular in the Nice defence, making 20 league appearances in total during their ninth-place finish.
TOP D-OD
Martin Odegaard is Arsenal’s “No1” target ahead of the summer transfer window.
That is according to The Athletic, who claim that the Gunners’ top priority is to sign Odegaard on a permanent basis.
The playmaker joined the north Londoners from Real Madrid on loan last January.
The Norway international put together a raft of impressive performances and has since impressed manager Mikel Arteta to a point that he convinced him to hold on to him
PHIL-ING IN
Barcelona are keen to sell Philippe Coutinho in the summer transfer window after a disappointing spell in Catalonia.
Coutinho joined Barca from Liverpool in 2018 and has failed to stand out at the Nou Camp in the last three years, one of which he spent on loan at Bayern Munich.
The attacking midfielder has been linked with a move away but Arsenal are reportedly not interested in the Brazil international just yet.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano tweeted: “Barcelona are open to sell Philippe Coutinho this summer. Arsenal are NOT interested in signing him, as of today”
GETTY IMAGES KOUNDE BOOST
Sevilla star Jules Kounde has confirmed that he “will perhaps have to change clubs this summer”.
Kounde has been linked with a move to Arsenal as well as Manchester United, Chelsea and Real Madrid.
And the star centre-back, who impressed this season in LaLiga, has said he wishes to play for a “big club”.
Kounde told reporters at France’s Clairefontaine training camp: “Regarding my future, it’s certain that I will perhaps have to change clubs this summer.
“But nothing has been finalised yet. I have not decided anything.
“My goal is to play for a big club, to try to always progress and to win trophies.
“It’s true that I might have to move but that’s not relevant today”
XHAKA REPLACEMENT
Arsenal star Granit Xhaka appears to be on his way out of the Emirates ahead of the summer transfer window.
Xhaka has hinted that he is willing to seek for new challenges and has been linked with a move to Roma.
Incoming Giallorossi manager Jose Mourinho appears to be keen to work with the midfielder at the Olimpico.
Meanwhile, Arsenal technical director Edu previously hinted that Thomas Partey could replace the Switzerland international in terms of leadership on and off the pitch
SOU-PER YVES
Arsenal have been handed a significant boost by Liverpool in their bid to sign Brighton star Yves Bissouma.
That is because the Reds will not enter the bidding war to land Bissouma despite Georginio Wijnaldum’s imminent departure in the summer.
According to The Athletic, manager Jurgen Klopp has decided that an already existing member of the squad can fill in for Wijnaldum in midfield.
Klopp has faith in Curtis Jones and is not likely to offload Naby Keita or Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the summer
GOOD MORNING ARSENAL FANS
Norwich star Emi Buendia admits that Arsenal’s interest motivates him ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Gunners are weighing up a formal offer for Buendia, who played a critical role in the Canaries’ Premier League promotion.
Buendia told AS: “One always dreams of being at the highest level and in the best teams in England, Spain or Europe.
“One dreams of playing for titles, it is an ambition that I have, it is a pride that important clubs are interested in you, it means that you are doing things well and it is a motivation to continue working and one day achieve it.”
Meanwhile, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is bracing himself for offers for centre-back William Saliba, according to reports.
The 20-year-old, who joined the Gunners for £27million in 2019, has spent the second half of the season with Nice.
Saliba has yet to make an appearance for Arsenal since his switch and was immediately sent back on loan to Saint-Etienne.
According to Kicker, Bayer Leverkusen have been tracking Saliba’s progress closely during his time in France and are ready to make their move.
He was a regular in the Nice defence, making 20 league appearances in total during their ninth-place finish.
And finally, Arsenal are demanding £21.5million for midfielder Granit Xhaka, according to reports.
But Jose Mourinho’s new side Roma only want to pay £10m to land him this summer.
The Swiss star has been a vital part of manager Mikel Arteta’s reign, playing as a central partner for Thomas Partey and also as a makeshift left-back.
And Sky in Italy say that Arsenal will hold out for a fee in the region of £21.5m to let him go.
XHAK IT IN
Arsenal are demanding £21.5million for midfielder Granit Xhaka, according to reports.
But Jose Mourinho’s new side Roma only want to pay £10m to land him this summer.
The Swiss star has been a vital part of manager Mikel Arteta’s reign, playing as a central partner for Thomas Partey and also as a makeshift left-back.
And Sky in Italy say that Arsenal will hold out for a fee in the region of £21.5m to let him go.
ICYMI
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is bracing himself for offers for centre-back William Saliba, according to reports.
The 20-year-old, who joined the Gunners for £27million in 2019, has spent the second half of the season with Nice.
Saliba has yet to make an appearance for Arsenal since his switch and was immediately sent back on loan to Saint-Etienne.
According to Kicker, Bayer Leverkusen have been tracking Saliba’s progress closely during his time in France and are ready to make their move.
He was a regular in the Nice defence, making 20 league appearances in total during their ninth-place finish.
GUNNER STAY
Vivianne Miedema’s agent poured cold water on speculation of the striker leaving Arsenal for a sensational move to Lyon
Leoni Blokhuis shut down rumours of a swap that would see his client join the French giants in exchange for Nikita Parris becoming a Gunner.
Blokius told Dutch newspaper AD: “Vivianne will remain, as it looks now, at Arsenal next season. That is her last contract year.”
TIA-GO FOR IT
Arsenal are keeping tabs on Sporting Lisbon starlet Tiago Tomas ahead of the summer transfer window.
According to Record, the Gunners have contacted Sporting to find out what it would take to sign the 18-year-old striker.
And the Portuguese champions’ response isn’t raising a lot of hopes for a deal as they rate Tomas at a whopping €60million (£51.5m).
The Portugal Under-21 international amassed six goals and three assists in 37 appearances across all competitions this season.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
