ARSENAL have lost further ground in their battle with rivals Tottenham after Yves Bissouma agreed to join Spurs.
The Brighton ace is set to snub Arsenal – long term admirers of the midfielder – to join their neighbours for £25million.
It comes as a double blow amid reports suggesting Serie A striker Gianluca Scamacca is considering other offers from elite clubs across Europe.
The Gunners had a £35million bid for the Italian rejected but are now thought to be plotting a fresh approach.
Meanwhile, Gabriel Martinelli has confirmed his intention to stay at Arsenal after they announced the signing of 18-year-old fellow Paulistano, Marquinhos.
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Stay up to date with all the latest from the Emirates…
Raphinha transfer race heats up
Arsenal and Tottenham have both joined the race to sign Leeds star Raphinha, according to reports.
But according to The Athletic, there are now concerns the Catalan giants may not be able to fund a deal for the tricky forward.
Barcelona have debts totalling more than £1billion and are operating under tight financial constraints.
That could open the door for Arsenal and Tottenham to steal Raphinha from under the nose of Xavi.
Osimhen speaks on future
Victor Osimhen has revealed he will decide on his future after finishing international duty with Nigeria.
Osimhen, who plays for Napoli, told CalcioMercato: “I know there are many people that would like me in Spain or England, but I don’t think it’s the right time to talk about it now that I’m with the national team.
I always go out on the pitch to do my best both with the national team and with my club.
“I don’t know my future, I know anything can happen, but now I just want to go on holiday with my family, clear my head and recharge my batteries.
“Then we’ll take care of everything else.”
Partey over for Arsenal?
Arsenal could face a nervous summer in their attempt to keep hold of midfielder Thomas Partey.
Italian media outlet Tuttosport believe that Juventus are keen on bringing in the Ghanaian to play alongside Paul Pogba.
However, any offer from the Serie A side will depend on whether they are able to move on Arthur Melo.
While the suggestion of an ‘ambitious’ swap deal involving Party and the Brazilian Melo has been flagged by the Turin club, no official offer has been lodged.
The 29-year-old Partey joined the Gunners for £45m in October 2020, but has seen his progress at the Emirates hampered by a series of niggling injuries.
Gunners in scrap for Scamacca
Arsenal could be about to find themselves frustrated in their bid to land another striker.
The Gunners have recently been linked with a £43m move for Sassuolo hotshot Gianluca Scamacca, who fired 16 goals in 36 Serie A appearances last season.
However, it is now being rumoured that some of Europe’s biggest clubs are also interested in the 23-year-old.
According to reports, Juventus, Inter Milan, Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan are all keeping tabs on Scamacca.
The forward has four years to run on his current deal in Modena, having signed a contract extension back in April.
Arsenal fans react to Spurs signings
There’s only one thing worse than seeing your side standing still in the transfer market – and it’s watching your closest rivals make key signings left, right and centre.
It certainly feels that way for Arsenal supporters right now, who are having to endure Tottenham going about their impressive business.
Because not only did Spurs pip the Gunners to Champions League football, they’ve now beaten them to the capture of Yves Bissouma.
The Brighton midfielder has been a long-term target for both North London clubs, but it’s Antonio Conte men that have won out – and the same could be soon said about Djed Spence.
Credit: @TikiTakaConnor Credit: @1926Trizia Twitter Gunners to Net new keeper?
Arsenal are monitoring Barcelona back-up goalkeeper Neto as a potential replacement for Bernd Leno.
Leno appears likely to leave the Emirates this summer after falling behind Aaron Ramsdale in the pecking order.
And now Spanish outlet Sport are suggesting that Neto is considering swapping the substitutes’ bench at the Nou Camp for one in North London.
However, the Gunners have already brought in one keeper in American Matt Turner, and also have the highly-rated Arthur Okonkwo among their squad.
Martinelli confirms intention to stay
Gabriel Martinelli has seemingly dismissed speculation linking him with a move away from Arsenal.
The 20-year-old enjoyed an impressive breakthrough season in the Premier League, notching six goals and six assists in 29 appearances.
His performances caught the eye of many clubs across Europe, and it was feared they could tempt the winger away after the Gunners missed out on Champions League football.
However, in welcoming another young Brazilian to the club, he now appears to have indicated that his immediate future remains at the Emirates.
Acknowledging the signing of Marquinhos, Martinelli wrote on his Instagram story: “Welcome brother, we’re together.”
GOOD MORNING GOONERS
Newly-promoted Fulham are in talks to sign goalkeeper Bernd Leno from Arsenal.
The German stopper is widely expected to leave the Emirates this summer, having fallen behind Aaron Ramsdale in the pecking order, and following the arrival of back-up Matt Turner.
However, Leno’s agent Joannis Koukoutrigas believes that his player should still be considered Arsenal’s number one and could yet remain in North London.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are willing to buy Christopher Nkunku for a record transfer fee.
RB Leipzig have reportedly slapped a £100m tag on Nkunku, according to The Express.
But the Gunners are willing to pay the price for the 24-year-old, unlike Prem rivals Man United.
Elsewhere, Dusan Vlahovic has revealed he never had any intention of joining Arsenal as Juventus was the only club on his mind.
He said: “Maybe my agent knows [about Arsenal’s offer] but I never talked to anyone about it.
“I just had one club in my mind because Juventus is Juventus. There is nothing else to say, and now I feel honoured to be given this jersey. It’s incredible every time I put it on.
“I definitely identify with their DNA. The Juventus personality coincides with my personality.
“When you come here you never give up, you fight all the time, you make the sacrifices. This was definitely what I was looking for.”
Finally, Arsenal defender Pablo Mari is being tracked by AC Milan and Lazio, reports claim.
Mari made waves in the Serie A last season while on loan with Udinese.
And Milan view him as the ideal man to marshal their defence if they miss out on Sven Botman.
Likewise, Lazio will turn to Mari if they fail to land Alessio Romagnoli, according to Corriere dello Sport.
Prem fixture list leaked
Ahead of Thursday’s Premier League fixture release, a schedule for the 2022-23 season has been ‘leaked’ online.
An image has emerged on Twitter supposedly showing the first eight match days of the season.
There are banana-skin away ties for Arsenal and Chelsea, who will both travel to the South Coast, according to the leaked list.
The Gunners face Brighton, fresh off an excellent 9th-place finish in the last campaign, while the Blues are in action at St. Mary’s against Southampton.
Italian clubs track Mari
Arsenal defender Pablo Mari is being tracked by AC Milan and Lazio, reports claim.
Mari made waves in the Serie A last season while on loan with Udinese.
And Milan view him as the ideal man to marshal their defence if they miss out on Sven Botman.
Likewise, Lazio will turn to Mari if they fail to land Alessio Romagnoli, according to Corriere dello Sport.
Vlahovic reveals Arsenal snub
Dusan Vlahovic has revealed he never had any intention of joining Arsenal as Juventus was the only club on his mind.
He said: “Maybe my agent knows [about Arsenal’s offer] but I never talked to anyone about it.
“I just had one club in my mind because Juventus is Juventus. There is nothing else to say, and now I feel honoured to be given this jersey. It’s incredible every time I put it on.
“I definitely identify with their DNA. The Juventus personality coincides with my personality.
“When you come here you never give up, you fight all the time, you make the sacrifices. This was definitely what I was looking for.”
Arsenal target’s transfer price
Arsenal are willing to buy Christopher Nkunku for a record transfer fee.
RB Leipzig have reportedly slapped a £100m tag on Nkunku, according to The Express.
But the Gunners are willing to pay the price for the 24-year-old, unlike Prem rivals Man United.
Arsenal confirm first summer signing
Arsenal have completed the signing of Brazilian wonderkid Marquinhos.
The Gunners have confirmed that the 19-year-old has penned a “long-term contract” after joining from Sao Paulo.
Arsenal’s technical director Edu said: “We’re delighted to have completed the transfer with Sao Paulo, as Marquinhos was a player we had been watching for a while.
“At 19, he is still very young, so he is a player for the future.
“We look forward to Marquinhos now joining us for pre-season, making his new home, and continuing to grow and develop with us.”
Leno’s gets glowing praise
Bernd Leno is the best keeper at Arsenal despite losing the No1 spot to Aaron Ramsdale, according to his agent.
Leno’s agent Joannis Koukoutrigas told Bild: “He is a German national goalkeeper, has always performed well at Arsenal and is an absolute team player.
“For me personally, Bernd is also the clear No.1 at Arsenal. With all due respect to the competitors.
“Yes, Fulham is trying hard to get Bernd. Very professionally. This is also true for some other clubs and shows his status.
“But, as I said, for me he is the No.1 at Arsenal and we are therefore also relaxed.”
Arsenal face transfer battle
Arsenal face stiff competition from AC Milan in the pursuit of Marco Asensio, reports claim.
Milan are determined to bring the Real Madrid striker to Italy this summer, according to Corriere dello Sport.
And Milan’s director Paolo Maldini has directly contacted Real boss Carlo Ancelotti in order to make Asensio’s move to the Serie A happen, the report adds.
However, Milan will hope a move can get done soon as Man United along with the Gunners also want Asensio.
Fulham pushing hard for Leno
Newly-promoted Fulham are in talks to sign goalkeeper Bernd Leno from Arsenal.
The German stopper is widely expected to leave the Emirates this summer, having fallen behind Aaron Ramsdale in the pecking order, and following the arrival of back-up Matt Turner.
However, Leno’s agent Joannis Koukoutrigas believes that his player should still be considered Arsenal’s number one and could yet remain in North London.
Bild journalist Tobi Altschaffl reports Koukoutrigas as saying: “He is a German national goalkeeper, has always performed well at Arsenal and is an absolute team player.
“For me personally, Bernd is also the clear number one at Arsenal – with all due respect to the competitors.
“Fulham is trying hard to get Bernd. Very professionally. This is also true for some other clubs and shows his status. But as I said, for me he is the number one at Arsenal and we are therefore also relaxed.”
Nicholas: Young Gunners lack experience
Arsenal missed out on Champions League football due to a lack of experience in Mikel Arteta’s squad.
That’s the view of legend Charlie Nicholas, who hopes his former club can bring in some senior players with a track record of winning trophies.
In a conversation with BonusCodeBets, Nicholas said: “After letting Alexandre Lacazette go, there is certainly a risk that Arsenal could field a side next season with very little experience.
“Some of these kids are playing as part of the youngest squad in the Premier League. But they have a good level of experience now; they’ve been in this team for a decent period.
“Although they kind of bottled the Champions League place in the last four games, the players like Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka were trying their best. They just didn’t quite have the know-how. They need that kind of experience.
“Mikel Arteta will add experience this summer, even potential signings like Gabriel Jesus have a lot of it. He’s won the Premier League a few times, has been involved in massive games and would help.
Haaland deal gives Gooners hope
Manchester City’s signing of Erling Haaland has taken the headlines this morning.
But eagle-eyed Arsenal fans are optimistic that it has also given them the green light to get their man.
A throwaway statement on City’s website read: “Haaland shirts will be made available once his squad number is confirmed in due course.”
And some Gooners on social media believe that is because the Norwegian is waiting to receive his favoured number nine shirt once City’s current number nine – Gabriel Jesus – departs the Etihad.
Arsenal have been strongly linked with a move for Jesus in recent weeks, and are hopeful of completing a deal despite missing out on Champions League football.
Maitland-Niles heading for Forest
Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles has emerged as a transfer target for newly-promoted Nottingham Forest.
The 24-year-old looks set to finally leave the Emirates on a permanent basis after loan spells away at Roma and West Bromwich Albion.
And Steve Cooper’s Forest are considering an offer that would keep the England international in the Premier League.
Though traditionally a midfielder, Maitland-Niles has excelled as a right wing-back in the past, and could be seen as the ideal replacement for Djed Spence.
Spence starred for Forest on loan from Middlesbrough last season, but looks set to join Tottenham instead of opting for a return to the City Ground.
Gunners linked to United target
Arsenal have emerged as a surprise rival for Real Madrid and Manchester United target Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
The Serbian midfielder is expected to leave Lazio this summer, and has been linked with some of Europe’s elite clubs.
However, neither United nor Madrid have made an official move, and reports suggest the Gunners could beat the pair to the punch.
Corriere dello Sport report that Mikel Arteta is keen on the 27-year-old as he prepares for a midfield rebuild at the Emirates.
The North London outfit are expected to move for Youri Tielemans, and could yet pair the Belgian with Milinkovic-Savic – particularly if Granit Xhaka moves in the opposite direction to join Roma.
Good morning Arsenal fans
Arsenal have had a £51million offer for Victor Osimhen rejected, according to reports from Italy.
The Nigerian striker is one of many forwards that Mikel Arteta’s side are currently trailing.
And according to Il Mattino, Arsenal have tested the water with Napoli by tabling a £51million bid for the hotshot, which has been dismissed by the Serie A giants.
The report adds Napoli are after a fee in the region of £85million for their talisman.
Arsenal are chasing Lille centre-back Sven Botman, according to reports.
La Repubblica claim the Gunners have joined the race for the defender’s signature.
Spurs, Man Utd and Newcastle have also been credited with an interest in the Dutch international.
Arsenal star Marcelo Flores was praised for his talent by Mexico boss Tata Martino.
He said of Flores: “Marcelo is everything a coach expects, that the player has those desires to assert his dribbling, he does what we all expect of him, he executes the ‘one on one’, which is one of the best qualities and the penalty is anecdotal.
“It’s fine…We had Santi, Chávez and Orbelín, Santi decided to give it to him and the boy is in the dressing room crying inconsolably, and it’s sad because this career has many disappointments.
“But everything that happened is well, everything is experience and everything is knowledge; Marcelo is something different, he needs peace of mind and hopefully they can give it to him.”
Tielemans wants trophies
Youri Tielemans is desperate to copy Belgium pal Kevin de Bruyne and win more major trophies.
The Leicester midfield ace, who is a £25million summer target for Arsenal, got his hands on the FA Cup in 2021 by scoring the Wembley winner over Chelsea.
Tielemans said: “Every player wants that. That is just natural when you are in the game, you want to win trophies.
“That is the best feeling to win trophies. Obviously every player would say the same, definitely.”
Tielemans showed just why Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has made him a transfer target when he coolly stroked home Belgium’s opener in the 1-1 Nations League draw with Wales on Saturday night.
When asked for an update on his future, Tielemans, who has one year left on his Foxes contract, added: “No sorry. I have expressed myself on that before and there is nothing new. I don’t think this is the moment and place to discuss that.”
Barça stance on Depay
Barcelona will only let Memphis Depay leave, if they can find a replacement.
The Gunners have been linked with the Dutch forward, who appeared on our shores for Man Utd.
And it was previously said the Catalans would be willing to let him go this summer.
However, Sport via Sport Witness have said they will only let Depay leave if someone else can fill his void AND they receive a really good offer.
Nketiah salary
Eddie Nketiah has been offered a six-figure salary to sign a new contract.
According to talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook, the striker has been offered at least £100,000-per-week.
“Nketiah is an interesting one, because I was told the other day that he’s been given a six-figure salary to sign his new contract, and that seems a lot of money to me for him.”
Richarlison fee
Arsenal are one of many sides that have been linked Everton ace Richarlison.
The Brazilian could be set to move this summer – with the Emirates touted to be a desitination.
However, the Mail and Telegraph both report it could take an offer of more than £50million to prise him from Goodison Park.
Spurs are also said to be interested.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
