GABRIEL JESUS has all but agreed to join Arsenal, according to reports.
David Ornstein claims that the deal between the Gunners and the Brazilian is “pretty much done and dusted”.
However, he adds that there is yet to be any contact between Arsenal and Man City.
Ornstein also states that Dominic Calvert-Lewin remains another target for the North Londoners.
Arsenal have also been offered another Brazilian winger-cum-striker in Everton’s Richarlison, according to reports.
Meanwhile Piers Morgan says he has told Cristiano Ronaldo to move to North London.
And Roma are said to have to told Arsenal that they will need to stump up £67m to sign Tammy Abraham.
Keep up to date with all of the latest updates from the Emirates in our live blog…
Parlour says Arsenal should go for Toney
Arsenal legend Ray Parlour has recommended his former club sign Brentford’s Ivan Toney to bolster their striker department.
Toney has had a strong season with the Bees, netting 12 goals in the Premier League.
He has more goals than Alexandre Lacazette, Eddie Nketiah and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang combined this term.
Aubameyang departed the club in January with four Prem goals to his name, leaving boss Mikel Arteta with just four-goal Lacazette and Chelsea brace hero Nketiah to work with.
He told talkSPORT: “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.”
‘Emery is a top manager’ – Enrique
Villarreal defender Jose Enrique has argued that Arsenal were “not patient enough” with Unai Emery.
When speaking to LordPing, he said: “I love Unai Emery. He lives the game, he’s a tactical manager who really studies the game and I know because I see the games and I know players that have played under him in the past and they play under him now.
“They tell me how it is and I believe Arsenal were not patient enough with him.
“Arteta didn’t start the year well, but he won the FA Cup in his first year and Arsenal put their trust in him, gave him the budget and the players that he wanted, and then he delivered.
“People work really hard for the team and he’s proof that he’s a top manager. “
Credit: PA ‘Looney Tunes defending’
Man Utd stars Jadon Sancho and Alex Telles were brutally mocked for trying to mark Arsenal ace Eddie Nketiah.
The United pair tried in vain to block Nketiah in Arsenal’s 3-1 over Manchester United on Saturday.
The hapless duo attempted to sandwich the Arsenal striker during the Premier League clash.
Sancho inched in from the left, and Telles encroached on Nketiah from the right.
But when the sharp Nketiah realised what was going on – he simply side-stepped the United stars’ trap.
Sancho and Telles were left looking bemused as the 22-year-old left them in his dust.
Strike a deal
Ray Parlour has urged Arsenal to try and sign Ivan Toney in the summer transfer window.
When speaking on 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.”
‘He gets you goals’ – Ferdinand
Rio Ferdinand has said that Gabriel Jesus could have a significant impact if he joins Arsenal this summer.
When speaking on his FIVE YouTube channel, he said: “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.”
Taking the Mik
Footage shows Mikel Arteta sympathised with Cristiano Ronaldo as the striker complained to the fourth official during Manchester United’s 3-1 loss to Arsenal last Saturday.
Ronaldo, 37, was frustrated with the officials failing to award his side a penalty when Jadon Sancho went down in the box under a challenge from Cedric Soares.
So when Arsenal were instead awarded a penalty moments later Ronaldo rushed over to the sideline to question the officials’ decision-making.
But the Portuguese realised he was fighting a losing battle with Arsenal’s bench camera showing the striker graciously accepting Arteta’s offer of a handshake.
Credit: Reuters Credit: Rex Credit: Rex Wright move
Ian Wright has urged Arsenal to keep Mohamed Elneny.
When speaking on his Ringer FC podcast, he said: “We are talking about players who came on who do a job for their manager with unbelievable professionalism.
“Elneny may be leaving at the end of the season, you look at that performance and the one against Chelsea, and you can only think to yourself that if Arsenal are trying to build a team to get to the top four, you need that back-up player.
“He has to stay. For him to come in in those two games, which were arguably two of the biggest games in Arsenal’s calendar, those are massive games, and for him to come in – the last time he played was 2 December – and play at that level, you have to say hats off to him.”
Arsenal ‘in contact over Osimhen’
Arsenal have reportedly held talks with the agent of Napoli’s £84million-rated striker Victor Osimhen over a potential summer transfer.
The Nigerian star has been linked with a switch to the Emirates as Mikel Arteta looks to bolster his attack.
The Gunners look to be stepping up their pursuit of Osimhen, who is continuing to impress in Italy following his 2020 switch from Lille.
In a boost for the North London outfit, it has been said that Arsenal are at the front of the queue to sign him.
And now reporter Freddie Paxton has revealed that Arsenal have been in contact with Osimhen’s agent.
He has stated that the club’s interest in the player is serious, with Osimhen keen to test himself in the Premier League.
Nev-er say never
Wolves are reportedly considering potential replacements for Ruben Neves.
According to Manchester Evening News, they are expecting to lose the midfielder in the summer.
He has repeatedly been linked with a move to Man Utd over the past few seasons.
But, so far this year only Arsenal and Barcelona have registered an interest.
Credit: Reuters
Pep talk
Arsenal are reportedly set to hold talks with Nicolas Pepe at the end of the season regarding his future.
The 26-year-old has failed to live up to expectations since arriving from Lille for an eyewatering £72million fee in 2019.
Now, according to the Evening Standard, the Gunners are now discussing his position ahead of the transfer window.
They are keen to sign two new strikers, which could leave Pepe out of contention for a regular place in the first team.
Credit: Getty Mustafi horror
Former Arsenal star Shkrodran Mustafi was robbed inside his own home on Sunday, according to reports in Spain.
The Levante defender was sleeping in his home in Betera, 12 miles from Valencia, when the attack occurred but he was unharmed.
The thieves reportedly stole money, jewellery, watches and bags but fled when they heard Mustafi’s presence, report Superdeporte.
Investigations into the burglary are now underway with police not ruling it out as an activity of an organised gang which has carried out similar raids of footballers’ properties.
The culprits reportedly spent up to half an hour inside the German’s home after entering through a balcony window.
Mustafi has filed a complaint to police claiming the sum of all the possessions stolen tallies to about €1million.
Scott’s scheme
Manchester United star Scott McTominay mischievously tried to stop Arsenal ace Bukayo Saka scoring a penalty against the Red Devils.
As Saka lined up to take the penalty, McTominay crept up next to the unassuming winger and KNOCKED the ball out of his hands.
However, the 22-year-old kept his composure and placed the ball on the spot before thumping it into the bottom corner.
The England ace was subsequently mobbed by his Gunners team-mates while McTominay looked on.
Gunner swap
Arsenal are reportedly set to explore the possibility of including Pablo Mari in a player-swap deal for Udinese right-back Nahuel Molina.
The Gunners centre-back is currently on loan at the Serie A outfit after linking up with the Italian side during the winter transfer window.
He has become a key player under caretaker boss Gabriele Cioffi, with the defender featuring in 11 top-flight matches.
Mari urged Mikel Arteta earlier this month to let him stay at Udinese having rediscovered his love for the game after being deemed surplus to requirements at the Emirates.
And Udinese’s sporting director sporting director Pierpaolo Marino recently stated how the club will look to turn Mari’s temporary stay into a permanent switch.
But they could manage to secure Mari’s services for nothing with Arsenal claimed to be readying an offer to sign Molina.
The 24-year-old has put in a number of dazzling displays for Udinese since arriving on a free transfer in September 2020.
According to Il Messaggero Veneto, Arteta is seeking cover for Takehiro Tomiyasu in a sign that Cedric Soares could be moved on.
They state that Juventus and Atletico Madrid are keen on prising Molina away from Udinese in the summer.
But Arsenal could have the upper hand in negotiations as the club want to sign Mari.
The Gunners may now use the Spaniard in a package deal for Molina, who is rated at around £25million.
Red 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.
However, Coquelin has since gone on to become a key figure under Unai Emery at Villarreal.
He joined them from Valencia in 2020, having quit Arsenal two years earlier following 160 appearances and two FA Cup wins.
Coquelin then scooped more silverware when Villarreal defeated United on penalties in last season’s Europa League final.
And he now claims the result was “revenge” for Fergie’s cruel comments, saying: “It was a bit of revenge.
“When I made my Arsenal debut Sir Alex criticised me, so it was a nice turnaround to win against them.
“Plus I think he was in the stands as well, so lifting the trophy in front of him was nice.
“I was looking for him, he must have seen me.”
Gunner stay
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.
But according to Mundo Deportivo, Barca are no longer pursuing him because they would be unable to finance the deal.
Gabriel would have reportedly cost the Spanish side around £34million.
The hefty price tag is largely a result of Gabriel being under contract with Arsenal until 2025.
It is because of this that the Gunners are in no rush to offload the Brazilian defender.
Credit: PA
Rashford’s plea
Marcus Rashford issued a social media plea to find a fan who had his shirt “snatched” away following Manchester United’s clash with Arsenal.
The Red Devils star handed over his match worn shirt to one lucky spectator at the Emirates following the 3-1 defeat.
But Rashford claims upon gratefully getting their hands on his top, the fan he gave his threads to had it grabbed away from them.
Upon discovering the news, Rashford took to Twitter in a bid to find the fan – promising them a brand new shirt.
The 24-year-old wrote: “Someone’s only gone and snatched my shirt out of little man’s hands after I gave it to him.
“Can anyone help me find him so I can send him another one?”
And thanks to the power of social media, it wasn’t too long before Rashford was put in contact with the unlucky kid.
Within an hour of his original post, Rashford Tweeted again saying: “Found him thanks all!”
Will to win
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.
He has missed just one league match for Marseille and helped guide them to second in the table behind champions Paris Saint-Germain.
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.”
Credit: Getty Tam the man
Arsenal will reportedly have to stump up £67million if they wish to prise striker Tammy Abraham away from Roma in the summer.
The Gunners were keen to secure the services of the ex-Chelsea ace last year, but the 24-year-old opted to make the move to Italy instead.
But it appears that the North London outfit have retained their interest in the England international, who has scored 24 goals in 46 games this term.
Boss Mikel Arteta is desperate to bolster his attack in the upcoming window, with the Spaniard eyeing up two centre-forwards.
According to Football.London, Abraham is an option for Arteta, though his price tag could put Arsenal off..
Roma will reportedly only part ways with Abraham if they receive a £67m fee.
Credit: Getty For the Win
Former Liverpool midfielder Steve McManaman has spoken about the potential impact Darwin Nunez will have if he moves to the Premier League.
In his column for Horseracing.net, he said: “He looks as if he’s improving and, if he continues to do so, he could be a really good player.
“He’s 22 years old, he’s big and strong and he scores goals. Having an eye for goal always helps and in this day and age, I believe he will go for more than £40-50 million.
“Benfica will want more than that because of all the goals he’s scored. I don’t think it’ll be too much of a gamble for somebody if I’m being honest.
“Arsenal, Newcastle and even Manchester United will need a centre-forward because Edinson Cavani is set to leave at the end of the season and Cristiano Ronaldo is coming towards the end of his career.
“The price tag isn’t huge, as we’ve recently seen Liverpool pay £40million for Luis Díaz, another talent from the Primeira Liga.
“If the overall package for the player is doable, say if that’s around £50million, then I don’t believe it’s much of a risk for a 22-year-old such as him.”
Credit: Reuters Good morning Arsenal fans
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.
But according to Mundo Deportivo, Barca are no longer pursuing him because they would be unable to finance the deal.
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.
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.”
And finally, 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.”
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.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
