ARSENAL have stepped up their pursuit of Gabriel Jesus by lodging a £43m bid, according to reports from Brazil.
The report adds that Jesus is likely to end up at the Emirates, but Man City are holding out for an offer of £51m.
Meanwhile, SunSport can reveal that Dortmund have offered Granit Xhaka’s Switzerland team-mate Manuel Akanji to the club for £21m.
Elsewhere, the Gunners have received a huge boost with Leicester ace Youri Tielemans admitting he wants to LEAVE Leicester City this summer.
The Belgian has been heavily linked with a move to the Gunners, as Mikel Arteta searches for adequate competition for Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey.
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Player of the Season rankings
Arsenal’s 2021/22 Player of the Season award rankings are as follows…
1 – Bukayo Saka
2 – Martin Odegaard
3 – Aaron Ramsdale
Superstar Saka
Arsenal have congratulated Bukayo Saka on winning the Player of the Season prize.
A statement read: “Bukayo bagged several big goals including key strikes against Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Brentford.
“Our No7 has become the first Arsenal player to retain the Player of the Season award since Thierry Henry in 2004, and only the fourth player to win the trophy back-to-back after Henry, Ian Wright and Liam Brady.
“Congratulations, Bukayo!”Our No7 has become the first Arsenal player to retain the Player of the Season award since Thierry Henry in 2004.
Arsenal
Saka wins Player of the Season
Bukayo Saka wins Arsenal’s Player of the Season award.
Well deserved.
The forward scored 11 goals and 7 assists in 38 Premier League games.
This guy causes carnage in opposition defences.
Saka should stay, says Walcott
Bukayo Saka has been urged to remain with Arsenal by ex-Gunner Theo Walcott.
Walcott warned Saka that he won’t be a big fish at City like he is at the Emirates.
And Arsenal are adamant that their current Player of the Year is going nowhere and remain confident that he will soon sign a new long-term deal.
Fiorentina issue Torreira ultimatum
Fiorentina have reportedly issued a deadline of this Friday for Arsenal to agree terms for Lucas Torreira.
Torreira spent last season on loan with Fiorentina and were keen to make his move permanent.
But talks between the two sides have reached an impasse over Torreira’s transfer fee, the Mirror reported.
The report states Fiorentina are unwilling to pay the previously agreed £12m fee for Torreira, and will pay no more than £8m for the midfielder.
Balogun on Arsenal future
Folarin Balogun has refused to commit his future to Arsenal until he sits down with Mikel Arteta.
He told talkSPORT: “When I get back to Arsenal I will like to sit down with the manager and see what he thinks and we will decide what is best.
“I know that everyone will like to know what I will do next but I would like to speak to him first and we can come to a conclusion.”
Jesus is ‘perfect Arsenal fit’
Gabby Agbonlahor has urged arsenal to sign ‘perfect fit’ Gabriel Jesus.
Agbonlahor reckons Jesus will thrive at Arsenal with the likes of Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Emile Smith-Rowe feeding him.
The footy pundit told talkSPORT: ““They have to get him (Jesus). He’s the perfect striker for Arsenal.
“Odegaard in-behind. Finding his little runs that he likes to make.
“Then you have Saka on the right and Martinelli on the left. Smith Rowe is also available.”
Gnabry’s ‘still a Gunner’
Serge Gnabry “still has Arsenal in him” according to Kevin Campbell amid reports linking the Bayern Munich star with a return to North London.
Campbell told Football Insider: “The likes of Gnabry would fit in seamlessly. He knows the club. It would be the second coming but he knows the club.
“It is not as if it would be all new to him. That part of it is really important. You want new signings to hit the ground running. You would not have to worry about that with Gnabry.
“There is definite legs in it because Gnabry still has Arsenal in him. If the opportunity arises… Wow. He is quality.”
Arsenal in pole position for Jesus
Arsenal are in pole position to sign Manchester City star Gabriel Jesus in the summer, reports suggest.
According to Goal Brasil, the Gunners have made a €50million (£43m) bid but have yet to convince City to sell as they are asking for €60m (£51m).
Jesus, who has informed manager Pep Guardiola of his desire to move, has also attracted interest from Real Madrid as well as Chelsea, whose transfer ban has yet to be lifted after Todd Boehly’s takeover.
However, the North Londoners are leading the race as Real’s non-EU quota is full.
Jesus’ entourage were in London last week to discuss a potential exit from the Etihad.
Lacazette to Lyon ‘nearly complete’
Alexandre Lacazette is reportedly on the cusp of completing a move to Lyon.
The striker left Arsenal on a free transfer and is set to be unveiled by Lyon once he completes a medical.
That’s according to Fabrizio Romano who claims Lyon will release an official statement over the move soon.
Thomas Partey has new name
Thomas Partey has revealed that he’s now going by a new name Yakubu as part of his conversion to Islam.
But he’ll still be referred to as Partey when playing for Arsenal.
And his shirt will also continue to bear his first name Thomas, the Evening Standard reported.
Arsenal receive Renato Sanches blow
AC Milan have reportedly reached a “verbal agreement” with Arsenal transfer target Renato Sanches.
The midfielder looks certain to leave Lille this summer with a number of top European clubs registering an interest.
But according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Serie A champions Milan have taken the lead in the race to sign Sanches.
In a blow to interested Premier League outfit Arsenal, Milan have reportedly reached a “verbal agreement” with the Portugal international.
Sanches is seen as a replacement for midfielder Franck Kessie, who will be joining Barcelona on a free transfer.
However, Milan are yet to agree a fee with Lille and talks are set to continue in the coming days.
Asensio speaks on Real future
Marco Asensio has opened up on his future with Real Madrid amid interest from Premier League clubs.
He said when asked about his future, reported by Fabrizio Romano: “Renew or leave? By the way, there is also the option of staying for the remaining year of my contract.”
“I’ll speak with Real soon – I’m now looking for regularity for the next few years. It’s important.”
Man United, Arsenal, and Tottenham have been tracking the striker.
More on Akanji offer
Akanji’s representatives are highlighting the fact that he’s a Swiss team-mate of Gunners midfielder Granit Xhaka who impressed in an international friendly against England in March.
And they are confident that Dortmund’s current £21million asking price – similar to the fee they have just paid to sign Schlotterback from Freiburg – is certain to drop in the coming weeks.
But the Gunners are still unlikely to take up the offer as Akanji is right-footed and they are looking for a left-footed centre-half to act as back-up to Gabriel Magalhaes.
With William Saliba set to return to the Emirates from his loan deal at Marseille to challenge Ben White and Rob Holding next season, Mikel Arteta is already well stocked for right-sided central defenders.
Arsenal ‘offered Manuel Akanji’
Arsenal are being offered the chance to sign Borussia Dortmund centre-half Manuel Akanji, MARK IRWIN WRITES.
The 26-year-old Swiss international defender was a regular starter for the Bundesliga runners-up last season.
But he has been told he can leave following the sacking of head coach Marco Rose and the recent signings of German internationals Niklas Sule and Nico Schlotterbeck.
Now Akanji’s representatives are looking for a move to the Premier League and are targeting Arsenal as potential buyers.
Jesus ‘keen on Prem stay’
Gabriel Jesus still has his heart set on a transfer away from Man City this summer.
And he’s likely to remain in the Premier League despite interest from Real Madrid, Fabrizio Romano revealed.
Real were exploring a move for Jesus a few weeks ago but are yet to press forward with a concrete bid for the striker, the transfer guru added.
This will be a huge boost for Arsenal who are in pole position to land the Brazilian.
Prem clubs fear over Nunez
Premier League clubs are reportedly wary of paying Benfica’s exorbitant asking price for Darwin Nunez.
Benfica are seeking between £60-100m for Nunez, and Liverpool are said to be planning a £85m bid for the striker.
But Prem sides fear paying over the odds for Nunez, in case he’s a flop in England like Nicolas Pepe was for Arsenal last season.
That’s the view of a Prem chief executive who told i news: “The sort of money being asked for him is huge and no club wants to do what Arsenal did with Nicolas Pepe, grossly over paying for someone because of the hype around the number of clubs interested in him.”
Fiorentina issue Torreira ultimatum
Fiorentina have reportedly issued a deadline of this Friday for Arsenal to agree terms for Lucas Torreira.
Torreira spent last season on loan with Fiorentina and were keen to make his move permanent.
But talks between the two sides have reached an impasse over Torreira’s transfer fee, the Mirror reported.
The report states Fiorentina are unwilling to pay the previously agreed £12m fee for Torreira, and will pay no more than £8m for the midfielder.
Feyenoord chase Nelson loan extension
Feyenoord reportedly want to keep hold of Reiss Nelson beyond the expiration of his loan deal.
Nelson’s loan stint with the Dutch side ends at the end of the month.
But Feyenoord are hoping to retain the winger’s services for another season, according to De Telegraaf.
The report states that Nelson is open to remaining in the Netherlands.
However, Feyenoord still need to convince Arsenal to let the 22-year-old stay.
Arsenal fans share Bissouma hope
Arsenal fans are hoping to seal a transfer for Yves Bissouma this summer after the midfielder hinted at a move.
The Brighton star, 25, reposted two comments from an Arsenal supporter who revealed their wish to sign Bissouma.
The ex-Lille ace re-posted two messages from an Arsenal fan on Tuesday.
The first comment read: “For me, I think he and Tielemans should be our priority at midfield, we must get [Bissouma] at all cost [Arsenal].”
Jesus ‘prefers Real Madrid transfer’
Arsenal’s hopes of signing Gabriel Jesus have been dented as the Man City striker has eyes on a move to Real Madrid, reports claim.
The Gunners have been heavily linked with the Brazilian striker recently.
But he’s been swayed by interest from Champions League winners Real Madrid, football.london reported.
However, Real cannot sign Jesus until his Brazilian compatriot Vinicius Junior gets a Spanish passport, as the Spanish giants have reached the maximum amount of non-European players allowed by La Liga.
Good morning Arsenal fans
Man Utd and Newcastle are reportedly “leading the chase” to sign Benfica striker Darwin Nunez.
Arsenal and French giants Paris Saint-Germain are also keen on the forward.
The Gunners have been dealt a blow after losing top academy bosses Kevin Betsy and Dan Micciche to Crawley Town.
Betsy helped guide Arsenal’s U23s to a top-three finish in Premier League 2.
Arsenal and Chelsea have received a boost in their pursuit of Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus.
According to reports, Jesus and Man City agreed that his price would be set at £43million.
Bukayo Saka has been urged to remain with Arsenal by ex-Gunner Theo Walcott.
Walcott warned Saka that he won’t be a big fish at City like he is at the Emirates.
And Arsenal are adamant that their current Player of the Year is going nowhere and remain confident that he will soon sign a new long-term deal.
Tielemans hints at exit
Arsenal have received a boost in their pursuit of Youri Tielemans after the Leicester star declared he is open to depart the King Power Stadium.
The 25-year-old midfielder has been heavily linked with a move away from the East Midlands with his contract to expire in 2023.
Speaking in Belgium’s pre-match press conference ahead of their Nations League clash against Poland, Tielemans was asked whether he could leave Leicester.
He replied: “That is not out of the question. But I can also stay. I feel very good at Leicester.
“I was welcomed with open arms from day one. I give everything for the club until the last day.
“But of course you have to listen to other opportunities, you have to look at your career, and sometimes you have to make choices. Maybe one will come my way.”
Of course you have to listen to other opportunities.
Youri Tielemans
Saka speculation no worries for Arsenal
Arsenal are shrugging off speculation surrounding Bukayo Saka and are happy to wait for the player to finish his summer holiday before launching contract negotiations.
Both Manchester City and Liverpool have been linked with the 20-year-old England winger since the Gunners missed out on Champions League qualification last month.
But Arsenal are adamant that their current Player of the Year is going nowhere and remain confident that he will soon sign a new long-term Emirates deal.
Saka is currently away on international duty and is not due to return for pre-season training for another five weeks.
And manager Mikel Arteta is keen for his young star to take a complete break from football before getting down to serious contract talks.
As SunSport reported back in March, the plan has always been to sort out Saka’s long-term future this summer with the offer of a new deal worth somewhere in the region of £125,000-a-week.
Toon in for Morata
Newcastle have reportedly joined the race to prise Alvaro Morata away from Atletico Madrid, writes Jake Lambourne.
The Spanish striker is on his way back to the Wanda Metropolitano after spending the last two seasons on loan at Juventus.
Chelsea flop Morata is facing an uncertain future under Diego Simeone, with Arsenal claimed to be eyeing up a shock transfer.
Serie A giants Juventus remain keen on turning his temporary stay in Turin into a permanent switch.
It is believed that the Old Lady aren’t willing to match Atletico’s £30million asking price having already forked out £17m on his loan.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Newcastle are keeping tabs on Morata ahead of a possible swoop.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
