Gabriel Jesus ‘AGREES’ Arsenal move, Gunners ‘offered Richarlison’, Barca end Gabriel pursuit, Ronaldo told to join

Saliba ‘will be upset’ if he returns to Arsenal 

Arsenal loanee William Saliba would be “upset” if he returns to the Emirates following his loan spell with Marseille, according to former Gunners skipper William Gallas.

The 21-year-old Frenchman, who was signed by Arsenal for £27million, has been ever-present for the Ligue 1 side since joining at the start of the season.

And Gallas, who spent four years at Arsenal between 2006 and 2010, feels Saliba should try and force a permanent move away from Mikel Arteta’s side for the development of his career.

Speaking to Goal, he said: “I think they didn’t give him the opportunities at Arsenal, and I don’t know why. That’s why he moved on loan to Marseille.

“He is doing a good job, that is why they called him into the national team because he has had a great season with Marseille.

“If he comes back to Arsenal, he has to be ready to go back and maybe be on the bench at the beginning because at the moment you have got Ben White and Gabriel.

“He has to be ready to accept being on the bench. Mikel Arteta, if he plays with a different system, with three at the back, then he could play with Saliba.

“He has to understand this and be ready, otherwise don’t come back to Arsenal because it will be difficult.”

Ferdinand backs move for Jesus

Rio Ferdinand says Gabriel Jesus would be a great signing for Arsenal.

The Gunners are reportedly closing in on a deal for Manchester City’s talented Brazilian striker, 25.

Former Leeds United star Ferdinand told Vibe with FIVE: “You speak to players about him, they appreciate him because he puts a good workload in, he has got quality.

“I think if he plays consistently in a team like Arsenal, I think he gets you goals.”

Biggest net spenders in last ten years

Manchester United have the biggest net spend of any club in Europe over the last ten years.

The top ten on the list includes six English clubs, with Everton and Aston Villa perhaps surprise entries.

Big spenders Manchester City rank second behind their neighbours followed by Paris Saint-Germain.

Barcelona are the only Spanish side on the list and their big expenditure has led the purse strings to be tightened this season due to the club amassing a debt of around £408million.

Elsewhere on the continent, AC Milan have spent huge amounts to resurrect their former glory but still do not compare to Serie A giants Juventus, who in turn have spent narrowly less than Arsenal.

Chelsea round off the top ten but would be a lot higher if not for some high-profile sales over the last decade, including Eden Hazard.

Saka doesn’t feel pressure

Bukayo Saka says he doesn’t feel pressure despite having thousands inside a ground watching him, as well as hundreds of thousands to millions around the world.

He told the club website: “I don’t feel the pressure playing in front of a big crowd.

“However many people are in the stadium, you know that the game is being streamed and there could be millions of people around the world watching you.

“For me, I’d say I’m my own biggest critic so before anyone else criticises me I’ve already done it myself and told myself to do better. Big crowds don’t faze me.”

Avid Premier League watcher

Arsenal ace Bukayo Saka has admitted he watches the two live Premier League games on Saturdays IF he’s not paying himself.

He told Arsenal’s official website: “It’s hard to say exactly how much football I watch during the week because it depends on when we’re playing, but if I’m free I’ll definitely watch the two live games on a Saturday.

“I mostly watch the Premier League but if there’s a big game on in LaLiga, the Bundesliga or the French league, I’ll watch it.”

Coquelin Sir Alex Ferguson revenge

Francis Coquelin claims Villarreal’s Europa League win over Manchester United was “revenge” against Sir Alex Ferguson.

The ex-Arsenal star admits he was left fuming when United legend Fergie said the midfielder was “out of his depth” in the Premier League.

Sir Alex made the comments in his 2013 autobiography, released just months after his retirement.

Coquelin made his Arsenal debut in their 8-2 defeat at Old Trafford in August 2011.

And Ferguson slammed the Frenchman’s performance in his book, saying Coquelin was “completely out of his depth.”

Sir Alex added: “[I] had hardly heard of him and he barely played again.”

Arsenal Premier League stats

Bukayo Saka has 11 goals to his name this term.

Barcelona ‘rule out Gabriel’

Barcelona have reportedly ended their pursuit of Arsenal centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes after concluding that they cannot afford him.

The Gunners defender has attracted interest from the Catalan giants after a solid campaign with the North London outfit.

And Barcelona were considering an offer at the end of the season as they look to bolster their options at the heart of their back line.

This has become a pressing issue for Xavi amid the uncertain futures of Samuel Umtiti and Clement Lenglet.

They were also thought to be keen on Gabriel because of his friendship with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

But according to Mundo Deportivo, Barca are no longer pursuing him because they would be unable to finance the deal.

Willian unveils Corinthians’ new Nike kit

Willian has starred in Corinthians’ spine-tingling new kit launch.

The Brazilian appears to be loving life back in his homeland, after ditching Arsenal to return home last year.

Willian, 33, has now been placed front and centre in Corinthians’ stirring new commercial.

In a 56-second clip, accompanied by dramatic music, the Brazilian club mix a series of famous moments from its history with new images of their current crop modelling their new kit.

A picture of Willian as a child donning an old Corinthians shirt is used, before making way for an image of him raising his thumb as he re-signed for the club in 2021.

With a serious look on his face, the former Chelsea ace raises his hand and waves while wearing his new shirt.

Bellerin Copa del Rey triumph

Hector Bellerin claimed he “left Arsenal to win things”, which he went on to do.

The right-back won the 2022 Copa del Rey with Real Betis.

Ivan Toney Legend’s recommendation

Arsenal legend Ray Parlour believes Arsenal should make a move for Brentford’s Ivan Toney this summer.

The Gunners are in desperate need of a striker.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang left the club in January after being stripped of the captaincy.

Alexandre Lacazette AND Eddie Nketiah could also leave with their contracts running out.

And Parlour believes Toney is the man for his former club.

Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: “The strikers they’ll be looking at, they’ll also be looking at the other clubs interested in those strikers.

“You don’t want to be getting into bidding wars. How many clubs will be after Toney, if he’s available?

“That’s the sort of striker I would be trying to get at Arsenal.”

Fernandes lucky to not see red

Arsenal legend Ian Wright has claimed that Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes was lucky not to be sent off for swiping at Nuno Tavares.

The Gunners beat United 3-1 at the Emirates in their last outing and Fernandes began to vent his frustration.

Tavares fell victim to the outburst but wasn’t injured by Fernandes’ swipe.

On the incident, Wright said: “Seeing Bruno Fernandes just lashing out at people, lashing out at Trent really wildly, and then the challenge on Nuno, you look at it and you think to yourself, ‘That’s not what Manchester United need from you, my friend’.

“Manchester United needs a lot more than you going around trying to top people.

“He was lucky not to get sent off. But this is what it’s come to.”

Next five fixtures

Arsenal take on West Ham this Sunday.

Gunners chat with Osimhen’s agent

Arsenal have spoken to the agent of Napoli’s £84million-rated striker Victor Osimhen, according to reports.

Gunners fan and sports journalist Freddie Paxton tweeted: “I’m told Arsenal have been in contact with the agent of Victor Osimhen.

“The feeling is that the interest is serious, but Napoli will expect €100m+ this summer.

“Player wants to play in England and has previously been contacted by Newcastle. He is more interested in Arsenal.”

Coquelin eyes up Liverpool scalp

Former Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin is targeting another Champions League upset with Villareal this week.

The 30-year-old Frenchman has helped the La Liga side record shock wins over Juventus and Bayern Munich on their way to a semi-final showdown with Liverpool tomorrow.

Coquelin, who spent a decade at Arsenal before joining Valencia in 2018, said: “We knocked out Juventus and Bayern – we’ll go to Liverpool full of self-confidence.”

Ten Hag ‘should emulate Arteta’

Paul Scholes says Erik ten Hag should take a leaf out of Mikel Arteta’s book when he steps into the managerial hot seat at Old Trafford.

Ajax boss Ten Hag will become Manchester United’s new permanent boss at a time when the club needs rebuilding.

And Red Devils legend Scholes says Arsenal boss Arteta’s progress with the Gunners is a good model to follow.

Scholes told talkSPORT: “He just has to get them to believe in his methods.

“It’s quite obvious they haven’t believed in what they’re being coached with the last two managers and haven’t believed in the way they’re playing.

“If you look at what Arteta has done at Arsenal, that was a big rebuilding job and he’s taken no nonsense. I think this manager has to do exactly the same.”

Arsenal facing competition for Belotti

Arsenal are up against Tottenham and West Ham in the race to sign free agent Andrea Belotti from Torino this summer.

The Italy striker, 28, is set to leave the Serie A club after rejecting a new deal.

The North London rivals have been previously linked with him and now the Hammers have entered the ring, according to Fichajes.

Neves blow for Arsenal

Arsenal target Ruben Neves is reportedly keen to join Barcelona.

The Gunners are long-time admirers of the Wolves and Portugal playmaker, 25, and were planning a summer swoop.

But Spanish publication Sport says Neves is only “crazy about joining Barcelona” and agent Jorge Mendes is working to make that happen.

Everton’s Richarlison ‘offered to Arsenal’

Arsenal have reportedly been offered the chance to sign Everton striker Richarlison.

The Brazilian star’s future at Frank Lampard’s Toffees looks uncertain as they battle to avoid relegation to the Championship.

Now transfer insider Dean Jones has told Give Me Sport: “I think Arsenal definitely have a possibility of signing Richarlison.

“They know that he could leave Everton and is likely to leave Everton in the summer. They’ve been offered the chance to sign him.”

Richarlison, 24, who has 34 caps for Brazil, was signed by Everton from Watford in 2018 in a £50million deal.

Is Lewis Hamilton ‘loyal’ Gunner?

Arsenal fan Lewis Hamilton should not get involved in the bid to buy Chelsea, according to former Blues winger Paul Canoville.

Britain’s greatest-ever Formula One driver is backing Sir Michael Broughton’s bid to takeover the Blues.

Canoville, 60, who was a Chelsea winger in the 1980s, and is supporting a rival bid by Todd Boehly, tweeted: “Lewis is an Arsenal fan and that’s a fact.

“I will always support Lewis in everything he does in F1, he is the greatest driver ever in my opinion.

“With football though I think he should stay loyal to his own team.”

Ferdinand backs move for Jesus

Rio Ferdinand says Gabriel Jesus would be a great signing for Arsenal.

The Gunners are reportedly closing in on a deal for Manchester City’s talented Brazilian striker, 25.

Former Leeds United star Ferdinand told Vibe with FIVE: “You speak to players about him, they appreciate him because he puts a good workload in, he has got quality.

“I think if he plays consistently in a team like Arsenal, I think he gets you goals.”

Udinese want Mari after loan

Udinese plan to sign Arsenal centre half Pablo Mari this summer after his successful loan spell with them.

The Spanish star, 28, made a temporary switch to the Serie A club in January.

Udinese sporting director Pierpaolo Marino says they want to keep him permanently.

And football.london report the Gunners are keen on the deal too as it will save them £7million in performance-related bonuses.

Good morning Arsenal fans

Gabriel Jesus’ proposed Arsenal switch is ‘nearly done and dusted’ – at least regarding personal terms.

The Athletic’s David Ornstein said: “I understand that they have been talking for a number of months about this possibility, to the extent that that part of negotiations from what I hear is pretty much done and dusted.

“But there has been no contact, to my knowledge, so far between the clubs. So that’s obviously a significant step that would need to be taken.”

Arsenal are also looking at Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin as an alternative.

Meanwhile, Arsenal are ready to listen to offers for record signing Nicolas Pepe as they look to generate funds for another summer spending spree.

But they are resigned to taking a massive hit on the Ivorian international who cost £72million when he joined from Lille three years ago.

Pepe has become increasingly frustrated with his lack of first team action after becoming an almost permanent fixture on the subs’ bench this season.

Now it is understood that the club would be prepared to let him leave for a fee of around £25million before his value drops even further.

Finally, Arsenal and Chelsea target Marcus Thuram could be available for as little as £10million this summer.

The Athletic claims Borussia Monchengladbach are ready to let their versatile striker leave for a bargain fee.

That’s because Thuram is out of contract in 2023 and unlikely to extend his deal.