ARSENAL have opted to go all in for Youri Tielemans over Ruben Neves and Arthur Melo, according to reports.
Meanwhile, Marseille will be able to sign William Saliba if they can find the money, after their transfer ban was suspended by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
And the Gunners are reportedly still in the hunt to sign one of Gabriel Jesus or Richarlison.
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Barcelona hold talks with Neves
Barcelona have reportedly held talks with Arsenal target Ruben Neves.
A number of top clubs are said to be interested in the Wolves midfielder, 25, but he is said to favour a switch to the Nou Camp.
And Barca boss Xavi has got the ball rolling by holding informal talks with the Portugal star, according to Sport.
Juventus make Magalhaes enquiry
Juventus have contacted Arsenal about signing their centre-half Gabriel Magalhaes, according to UOL.
The Brazilian, 24, formed a solid central defensive pairing with Ben White for the Gunners last season.
But Juve might test their resole with a bid as they see Magalhaes as a potential replacement for MLS-bound veteran Giorgio Chiellini, 37.
Competition for Tielemans signature
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano says two other clubs are chasing Youri Tielemans alongside Arsenal.
Romano did not name the other two clubs, but says the midfielder intends to leave Leicester this summer and that negotiations are on going over a move to the Gunners.
Lacazette nearing Lyon return
Arsenal skipper Alexandre Lacazette is closing in on a return to Lyon, according to The Athletic.
The French striker, 31, joined the Gunners from the Ligue 1 side for £47million in 2017 and is about to become a free agent.
He has played 206 games for the Gunners, scored 71 goals and provided 36 assists.
Martinelli-Melo swap deal touted
Juventus are interested in a swap deal involving their midfielder Arthur Melo for Arsenal striker Gabriel Martinelli, according to Calciomercato.
The Gunners were reported to have tried to sign Melo in January.
The Old Lady want Martinelli to help reinforce their attack as they might see loan duo Alvaro Morata and Moise Kean return to Atletico Madrid and Everton, respectively.
Gunners to decide on Tielemans
Arsenal will decide whether or not to bid for Leicester star Youri Tielemans next week, according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano.
Romano has told Caught Offside the £40million-rated Belgium midfielder, 25, remains one of Gunners boss Mikel Arteta’s top targets.
Arsenal target impresses for Argentina
Arsenal target Lautaro Martinez impressed for Argentina in their 3-0 win over Italy in Finalissima on Wednesday.
Inter Milan forward Martinez scored the opener and then set-up Angel di Maria for the second goal.
The 24-year-old bagged 23 goals for Inter this season and has long been a rumoured target for Gunners boos Mikel Arteta.
Brentford eye Arsenal target Hickey
Brentford are now reportedly after Arsenal target Aaron Hickey.
The Gunners are thought to be closing in on a deal for the 19-year-old Bologna left-back.
Now Bees boss Thomas Frank has reportedly added the three-cap Scotland star to his summer transfer shortlist.
Wenger statute at the Emirates
Arsenal will erect a statue of their greatest-ever manager Arsene Wenger at the Emirates this summer, according to Gunnerblog.
Wenger, 72, spent 22 years at the Gunners and revolutionised the club, winning ten trophies into the bargain.
Former playing legends Thierry Henry, Tony Adams and Dennis Bergkamp already have bronze statues at the north London giants..
Morning, Arsenal fans
The Gunners face setbacks over Memphis Depay and Jules Kounde.
But they are tipped to rev up their interest in Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus.
Youri Tielemans, Lucas Torreira and Aaron Hickey are also in this morning’s transfer gossip.
Barcelona have reportedly told Arsenal they will only sell Holland attacker Depay if they can bring in a replacement first.
And Sevilla centre-back Kounde is backed to join Chelsea ahead of the Gunners.
But it’s claimed Arsenal are ‘very close’ to a £51million swoop for Brazil star Jesus as they’ve lined up a ‘great offer’.
Meanwhile, the Gunners are said to be holding fire on a bid for Leicester superstar Tielemans.
And despite fellow midfielder Torreira openly saying he’d love to stay at Fiorentina, his agent has admitted it’s a long shot.
The Serie A club failed to trigger theri option of making the loan move permanent.
Finally, Brentford are rivalling Arsenal’s interest in Bologna’s Scotland left-back Aaron Hickey.
Memphis delay
Barcelona have reportedly warned Arsenal they are unwilling to sell Memphis Depay this summer unless they find a replacement.
Sport claims the Gunners are eager to snap up Barca’s Dutch forward after returning to the Europa League.
But the Spaniards will not part ways with Depay unless they can find a suitable attacker to fill his shoes.
Depay, 28, has just one year left on his Nou Camp deal despite only joining Barcelona from Lyon last June.
And Mikel Arteta reckons he can land a real bargain for Arsenal’s attack in the upcoming transfer window, allowing the club to focus the majority of their resources elsewhere.
Depay is thought to be keen on a Premier League return despite his horror career at Manchester United, where he scored just seven times in 53 games.
But the Dutch international rebuilt his career at Lyon with 76 goals in 178 outings.
And Depay’s first season at Barcelona, having joined a free transfer in 2021, yielded 13 goals in 38 appearances.
Reece battles Saka and Emile for PFA gong
The PFA Young Player of the Year shortlist has been announced with a number of top Premier League stars nominated.
Chelsea‘s Reece James will be rivalled by fellow England international and Premier League winner Phil Foden.
Arsenal duo Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe have also been nominated.
On-loan Chelsea star Conor Gallagher has been recognised, as has Aston Villa‘s Jacob Ramsey.
Foden is the frontrunner, having picked up his fourth Prem crown.
The 22-year-old made 28 Prem appearances this term, scoring nine and assisting five. Across all competitions, Foden reached double figures in both goals and assists.
Should Foden win the award again, he will join Dele Alli in being one of only five players to have won the award in consecutive seasons. Ryan Giggs did it at United in 1993, Robbie Fowler in 1996 and Wayne Rooney a decade later.
PFA shortlist revealed
Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo has received a shock nomination for the PFA Player of the Year award.
But there is no room for Tottenham ace Son Heung-Min, despite the South Korean finishing as joint-top scorer this season.
Elsewhere, Spurs striker Harry Kane and Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne are also in the mix.
But it’s Liverpool who lead the way with three nominations in Sadio Mane, Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk.
Ronaldo endured a mixed first campaign upon his return to Man United despite scoring 18 Premier League goals.
The Portuguese legend was criticised for failing to adapt to the team’s tactics.
PFA shortlist revealed
Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo has received a shock nomination for the PFA Player of the Year award.
But there is no room for Tottenham ace Son Heung-Min, despite the South Korean finishing as joint-top scorer this season.
Elsewhere, Spurs striker Harry Kane and Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne are also in the mix.
But it’s Liverpool who lead the way with three nominations in Sadio Mane, Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk.
Ronaldo endured a mixed first campaign upon his return to Man United despite scoring 18 Premier League goals.
The Portuguese legend was criticised for failing to adapt to the team’s tactics.
Chelsea lead Kounde hunt
Chelsea head Arsenal and other European giants in the hunt for Jules Kounde, Spanish outlet Sport claim.
Barcelona could take centre-backs Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen from the Blues – and perhaps even wide defenders Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta.
So backline reinforcements will be central to Chelsea chief Thomas Tuchel’s summer plans.
And Sport suggest the Blues are ‘working’ on a deal for Sevilla’s France star Kounde, 23.
Credit: AFP
Luc of love for Fiorentina might not be enough
Lucas Torreira has told Arsenal he wants to stay with Fiorentina even though the Italians failed to trigger their option to buy him, writes MARK IRWIN.
The Uruguayan midfielder completed a successful season on loan in Florence, helping the club to finish seventh in Serie A and qualify for the Europa Conference League.
Coach Vincenzo Italiano is keen to keep Torreira but the £12.5million option to sign him permanently expired on Tuesday.
Now Fiorentina are trying to negotiate Arsenal’s asking price down because they know the 26-year-old does not figure in Mikel Arteta’s plans and only has a year left on his £75,000-a-week Emirates contract.
Torreira told supporters: “My intention is to stay at Fiorentina but the club will need to find an agreement with Arsenal. I am very happy in Italy and in Florence.”
But Torreira’s agent Pablo Bentancur is not optimistic.
He said: “It’s not over yet but the chances of Lucas staying in Florence are very small.
“There is a contractual problem with Fiorentina and my priority is to find an agreement with them so he is not thinking about other teams for now.”
Fight for Aarons and Hickey
Brentford have put ‘Manchester United target’ Max Aarons and Arsenal-linked Aaron Hickey on their transfer shortlist.
Bees boss Thomas Frank has made the full-backs his top priority.
Aarons, 22, is tipped to leave relegated Norwich to stay in the Premier League.
And Bologna’s Scotland left-back star Hickey, 19, is also wanted by the Gunners – for around £21.25million.
Gunners yet to bid for Youri
Arsenal are still thought to be holding back on a bid for Leicester lynchpin Youri Tielemans.
Prem rivals, including at times Manchester United and Liverpool, have been linked with the Belgium midfielder.
But the Gunners have always been rated the main contenders for the 25-year-old.
Barca warn Gunners over Depay
Barcelona have reportedly warned Arsenal they are unwilling to sell Memphis Depay this summer unless they find a replacement.
Sport claims the Gunners are eager to snap up Barca’s Dutch forward after returning to the Europa League.
But the Spaniards will not part ways with Depay unless they can find a suitable attacker to fill his shoes.
Depay, 28, has just one year left on his Nou Camp deal despite only joining Barcelona from Lyon last June.
And Mikel Arteta reckons he can land a real bargain for Arsenal’s attack in the upcoming transfer window, allowing the club to focus the majority of their resources elsewhere.
Depay is thought to be keen on a Premier League return despite his horror career at Manchester United, where he scored just seven times in 53 games.
But the Dutch international rebuilt his career at Lyon with 76 goals in 178 outings.
And Depay’s first season at Barcelona, having joined a free transfer in 2021, yielded 13 goals in 38 appearances.
Ron in, Son out for top PFA gong
Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo has received a shock nomination for the PFA Player of the Year award.
But there is no room for Tottenham ace Son Heung-Min, despite the South Korean finishing as joint-top scorer this season.
Elsewhere, Spurs striker Harry Kane and Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne are also in the mix.
But it’s Liverpool who lead the way with three nominations in Sadio Mane, Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk.
Ronaldo endured a mixed first campaign upon his return to Man United despite scoring 18 Premier League goals.
The Portuguese legend was criticised for failing to adapt to the team’s tactics.
Jesus deal ‘back on’
Arsenal could again be nearing a £51million swoop for Gabriel Jesus.
Manchester City’s Brazil striker has shot back into transfer speculation today.
And that’s not just because Prem champs City have signed fellow frontmen Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez.
Rodrigo Oliveira of Radio Gaucha told Calciomercato Arsenal are ‘very close’ to signing the 25-year-old – as they line up a ‘great offer’ for the Sao Paulo-born superstar.
Gunners in with Arthur chance
Arsenal are again being strongly linked with Juventus midfielder Arthur.
Italian newspaper Corriere Dello Sport even say an Emirates move is ‘in his desires’.
The Gunners reportedly came in for the Brazil star, 25, in January.
And Calciomercato claim the 25-year-old is keen to move and Juve ‘no longer’ want to keep him.
Reece battles Saka and Emile for PFA gong
THE PFA Young Player of the Year shortlist has been announced with a number of top Premier League stars nominated.
Chelsea’s Reece James will be rivalled by fellow England international and Premier League winner Phil Foden.
Arsenal duo Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe have also been nominated.
On-loan Chelsea star Conor Gallagher has been recognised, as has Aston Villa’s Jacob Ramsey.
Foden is the frontrunner, having picked up his fourth Prem crown.
The 22-year-old made 28 Prem appearances this term, scoring nine and assisting five. Across all competitions, Foden reached double figures in both goals and assists.
Should Foden win the award again, he will join Dele Alli in being one of only five players to have won the award in consecutive seasons. Ryan Giggs did it at United in 1993, Robbie Fowler in 1996 and Wayne Rooney a decade later.
Hick up to be first Gunners’ signing
Bologna left-back Aaron Hickey could be Arsenal’s first summer recruit after they reportedly bid £21.75million.
The ex-Hearts defender, 19, wold provide strong competition for injury-hit fellow Scotland star Kieran Tierney.
Hickey has racked up five goals in 48 games for his Serie A club.
Lucas plan to stay at Fiorentina hits snag
Lucas Torreira wants to stay at Fiorentina this summer.
But agent Pablo Bentancur is not optimistic and says: “It’s not over yet, but the chances of Lucas staying in Florence are very small.
“There is a contractual problem with Fiorentina and my priority is to find an agreement with them so he is not thinking about other teams for now.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
