ARSENAL are stepping up on their pursuit for Manchester United star Marcus Rashford this summer.
The out of favour England international has struggled to impress this season and Mikel Arteta could be willing to revitalise his career at the Emirates.
Any money spent on Rashford will be recouped by Arsenal’s FOUR deals that are expected to accumulate around £41.6 million in the transfer window.
SunSport can also reveal that Everton are ready to sell long-term Gunners target Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
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Arsenal get update on Asensio
Arsenal and Liverpool target Marco Asensio is reportedly weighing up his future at Real Madrid.
Sport report the 26-year-old Spanish winger has been told by Bernabeu chiefs to sign a new bumper deal by the end of June or he will be sold.
The Gunners reportedly saw a £34million bid for Asensio rejected in the summer, and the Reds were linked with him in October.
Arsenal tie down prospect Ibrahim
Teenage midfielder Bradley Ibrahim has signed his first pro deal with Arsenal.
The 17-year-old joined from Queen’s Park Rangers last summer and has been impressing in the Gunners’ youth ranks.
The versatile starlet can play in the middle of the park as well as well at centre-half.
Arsenal youngster Bradley Ibrahim has signed his first ever professional contractCredit: Twitter Eddie Glad to be going
Borussia Monchengladbach are considering a move for Arsenal outcast Eddie Nketiah.
The Gunners had high hopes for the 22-year-old striker, but he’s failed to make a serious breakthrough at the Emirates despite a shortage of attacking options at the club.
Nketiah is yet to start a Premier League game this season, and has totalled just 114 minutes of game time during 11 substitute appearances.
The forward is out of contract at the Emirates the summer, and, according to BILD (via Sport Witness), his name is on a ‘secret shortlist’ being drawn up by the Bundesliga club.
Gooners urge caution over Aubameyang
Arsenal fans are telling their Barcelona counterparts not to get too carried away by the start Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has made to his career in Spain.
The talented Gabon international has hit nine goals and provided a single assist in his first 11 appearances for Barca since joining in January.
Aubameyang’s form has prompted many – most notably Piers Morgan – into suggesting that the Gunners were too hasty to move the forward on.
However, Arsenal fan site The Daily Cannon have pointed out that their former captain often begins impressively after a transfer, only for his problems with punctuality to spoil his relationship with his club and make for an unsettled squad.
They point to his first 11 games in north London, when he scored eight and assisted three, as a comparison, but note that his spell at the Emirates eventually went the same way as it did in Dortmund – with his suspension for poor time-keeping.
Young Gunner pens professional deal
Hot prospect Bradley Ibrahim has signed his first professional contract with Arsenal.
The 17-year-old midfielder joined the Gunners academy in 2017 from QPR, and has impressed with his progression.
Ibrahim has made 16 appearances for the under-18s so far this season, and also made his debut for the under-23s away at Leicester in Premier League 2.
The teenage told Arsenal’s in-house media that he was ‘really grateful for the opportunity.’
Gunners will ‘choke’ in top four race
Arsenal will ‘choke’ in the race to finish in the Champions League places despite their excellent recent form.
That’s the belief of former Premier League star Stan Collymore, who has promised to pose in an ‘Arteta 8’ shirt if he’s proved wrong.
The Daily Mirror columnist, who has long been critical of the Londoners, said: “This is the run-in, this is where we get down to business, and it’s time now for Mikel Arteta and the boys to ram everything I’ve said about them again this season firmly back down my throat.
“They’re in pole position, their youngsters are absolutely thriving and they’re playing quality, on-the-front-foot, attacking football.
“But they have also been dross against the very best and let’s see what that means in the shake-up.
“I’m going for United or Spurs to pip them to the post, though, with Arsenal to choke in the run-in.
“And if they can prove me wrong, I will quite happily wear an Arsenal shirt with ‘Arteta 8’ on the back and post a picture of it on the last day of the season. So come on, Gunners, bring it on.”
Deal prepared for happy Saka
Arsenal have been busy finalising a bumper contract to offer Bukayo Saka at the end of the season.
Transfers expert Fabrizio Romano reports that the plan remains for Gunners officials to sit down with the England international in the summer to discuss his future.
Liverpool and Manchester City have bees linked with the young star, but Romano believes Arsenal fans have nothing to worry about.
He states that the 20-year-old is ‘really happy’ with life at the Emirates, and is fully focused on helping the club qualify for the Champions League.
Tierney move a Real possibility
Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney has once again been linked with a big-money move to Real Madrid.
The Scottish defender has been tracked by the Spanish giants all season, and now looks set to be the focus of a £50million bid.
The Sunday Post report that Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti has long been an admirer of the 24-year-old, and attempted to sign him from Celtic for Napoli back in 2019.
Tierney, who scored his first goal for Scotland in Thursday’s friendly draw with Poland, has four years to run on his contract with the Gunners.
Ainsley return to spark bidding war
Premier League clubs have been placed on alert after it was revealed that Ainsley Maitland-Niles would not be making his loan move to Roma permanent.
The Mirror report that the Arsenal midfielder, who has spent the season with Jose Mourinho’s Serie A outfit, will return to north London in June.
However, with just a year to run on his current deal at the Emirates, the Gunners are likely to cash in on the 24-year-old midfielder.
A number of top-flight sides are said to be interested including Everton, who had a £10m bid rejected for the player last summer.
Maitland-Niles made his debut for Arsenal as a 17-year-old in 2014, and has since gone on to make 132 appearances for the club.
Good Morning Arsenal fans
Arsenal are plotting a shock summer transfer swoop for Marcus Rashford, according to reports.
The Manchester United forward is enduring a rough time at Old Trafford this season.
However, according to the Mirror, Rashford could be offered an escape route out of Old Trafford by Arsenal, as the Gunners look to replace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s goals.
Elsewhere, there is plenty of interest in Arsenal’s on-loan defender William Saliba.
Saliba is currently at Marseille in Ligue 1, with the club keen to sign him permanently in the summer.
But The Athletic suggest there are also several other clubs sniffing around the 21-year-old.
It’s suggested further teams in France, as well as in both Spain and England are keeping tabs on Saliba in case Arsenal decide to sell.
The Gunners remain to be on the lookout for a striker – but have been quoted £83m by Napoli for the Nigeria star.
After scoring ten goals in his opening campaign in Italy, the 23-year-old has chipped in with 15 goals and four assists in 25 games in all competitions this term.
But Napoli’s sky-high valuation is likely to put Arsenal off from making a move come the end of the season.
April fixtures for Arsenal
With Mikel Arteta’s side in pole position for Champions League qualification, April could be the month where a return to Europe’s elite competition is confirmed.
The Gunners are in action five times next month, with some tasty fixtures on the horizon.
How many points are you expecting from these games, Arsenal fans?
- April 4 – Crystal Palace (a)
- April 9 – Brighton (h)
- April 16 – Southampton (a)
- April 20 – Chelsea (a)
- April 23 – Manchester United (h)
Keane slams White for Swiss’ goal
Roy Keane let rip at Ben White for his role in Switzerland’s goal against England at Wembley.
The Arsenal defender saw a Xherdan Shaqiri cross to the back post float just over his head before Breel Embolo buried the opportunity.
Speaking on ITV the Man Utd legend said: “It really is tough, you’re up against good teams. Sometimes it’s just slight mistakes which we see for the goal and he just got caught out.
“It’s good quality from Switzerland and they were on top at that moment in time. And we can criticise Luke Shaw for not stopping the cross – but people like Shaqiri have produced at this level many times before.
“They’ve got to get closer but as soon as it leaves his foot White’s body position is all wrong, Embolo’s got his number.
“He just got caught out, as simple as that. It’s a great finish and he got punished. You hope sometimes to get away with it, but it’s a great delivery and he’s just been caught out.”
Plenty of interest in Saliba
There has been plenty of speculation regarding the future of William Saliba in recent weeks.
The defender is on loan at Marseille, who are keen to sign him permanently in the summer.
But The Athletic claim there are also plenty of other clubs sniffing around the 21-year-old.
It’s suggested other clubs in France, as well as in Spain and England are all keeping tabs on Saliba in case Arsenal decide to sell.
Arsenal and Chelsea eye Araujo
Arsenal and Chelsea are both claimed to be keen on a move for Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo.
Chelsea face the prospect of losing Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen AND Cesar Azpilicueta this summer, and are subsequently keen to add a defender.
And according to the Express, Arsenal are also interested in the 23-year-old.
Araujo is out of contract at the end of next season, and has already rejected an offer from Barcelona for an extension.
The club are keen to tie him down to fresh terms, but if not both Prem clubs are waiting in the wings to pounce for the Uruguayan international.
Credit: Getty Bent picks Odegaard over Bruno
Former Premier League striker Darren Bent has claimed he would pick Martin Odegaard over Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes.
Fernandes has struggled for form this campaign, while Odegaard has come into his own since his permanent move in the summer.
And Bent told talkSPORT: “Of course, he’s been a very good player for Manchester United, but I’m still waiting for him to turn up when they really need him in those big games.
“Right now, I’d rather have Martin Odegaard with the way Arsenal are playing.
“I’m taking Odegaard in that role for Arsenal. He’s perfect for what Arsenal are doing right now.”
Prem clubs circling wonderkid
Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal are all reportedly keeping tabs on Valencia centre-back Cristhian Mosquera.
According to Super Deporte, scouts from the Premier League giants were left impressed by the 17-year-old during an appearance for Spain U19’s.
It’s claimed Mosquera has a £21million release clause in his contract.
He’s made just two starts for Valencia this season, and a further two substitute appearances.
Tierney a transfer target
Real Madrid are reportedly lining up a shock move for Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney.
A recent report from the Sunday Post suggests the LaLiga giants are preparing a £50million summer bid for the Scotland international.
The 24-year-old has been touted by club chiefs for veteran full-back Marcelo, who could be on his way out of the club in the summer.
A £50m bid would be exactly double what Arsenal paid to sign him from Celtic three years ago.
One in Emile
Gareth Southgate has revealed that Emile Smith Rowe could be in line to return from injury to face Ivory Coast.
Arsenal attacking midfielder Smith Rowe missed the Switzerland match due to injury, but he could now be set to make his third cap for the senior side.
Commenting on the upcoming match against the African nation, Southgate said: “We’ll make changes. We think that’s the right thing to do.
“We want to keep all of the squad involved. I think that has been a strength for us.
“Players who come in perform well at the level and the team march on.
“They need to feel that we’ve got the confidence in them to go into any game and we’re also at a stage of the season where their load is heavy and we’ve got to make sure we try and navigate that in the best way possible.”
Roma issue hands off warning
Roma are reportedly not willing to sell Tammy Abraham this summer after a stellar first season in Serie A.
Abraham’s form had led to rumours linking him with both Arsenal and Manchester United.
The clubs are on the lookout for a striker, with Calciomercato claiming both teams are willing to splash £75m on the former Chelsea man.
Roma though are reportedly not prepared to entertain any offers whatsoever for the 24-year-old.
Credit: Getty Rashford not “clinical” enough
Ex-Chelsea man Tony Cascarino doesn’t think Marcus Rashford is “clinical” enough to lead the line for Arsenal.
Rashford has been linked with a move to the Gunners amid reports of him wanting to leave Manchester United.
But Cascarino told talkSPORT: “To be a natural striker, and this is something I learned along the way and I got better at as I got older, so Marcus could become better, because there’s no reason why someone can’t improve, you have to be very, very clinical.
“You have to punish because, if you’re going to a club like Arsenal, they’re looking to progress and be a Champions League team, so you have to be clinical in front of goal.
“I joked and sometimes called Lacazette ‘Lack a finish’, which is a bit harsh because I think he’s a decent player, but he’s not being clinical enough for Arsenal.
“They’ve needed that, for him to be punishing teams, and I don’t think Marcus is ready to do that at Arsenal.”
Gunners “tracking” Darwin Nunez
Arsenal are reportedly keeping close tabs on Benfica striker Darwin Nunez.
Football.london claim Gunners bosses are in contact with Nunez’s representatives.
Transfer chief Edu is said to have shortlisted the 22-year-old ahead of a summer move.
Any move would reportedly be in the region of £50million, but Newcastle are also said to be very keen on the Uruguayan hitman.
Maitland-Niles to return
Roma have NO interest in making Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ loan move from Arsenal a permanent one.
According to the Mirror, Maitland-Niles will return to the Emirates in the summer for discussions on his future.
Everton are claimed to have had a £10m bid for his services rejected last summer.
But a similar proposal in the next transfer window could be accepted by the Gunners, with Maitland-Niles out of contract at the end of next season.
Napoli demanding £83m for Osimhen
Arsenal and Manchester United look set to be priced out of a move to sign Victor Osimhen with Napoli demanding a whopping £83million for the striker.
After scoring ten goals in his opening campaign in Italy, the 23-year-old has chipped in with 15 goals and four assists in 25 games in all competitions this term.
According to Corriere dello Sport via Fichajes, both Arsenal and United are keen on securing the ex-Lille ace’s services.
It has also been said that the likes of Tottenham, Liverpool, Newcastle and Real Madrid have also shown interest in recent months.
But a move this summer appears unlikely with Napoli demanding £83m in order to part ways with the player.
Tielemans summer transfer
Youri Tielemans has put Arsenal and Manchester United on red alert after declaring he wishes to play Champions League football.
And that will be a boost to Mikel Arteta with his Gunners side in pole position to finish fourth this season ahead of the Red Devils and rivals Tottenham.
Tielemans faces an uncertain future at the King Power Stadium with the Belgium international having just one year left on his contract.
Arsenal reportedly held talks with the midfielder’s representatives in January over a potential switch to the Emirates.
Commenting on his future, Tielemans has revealed he is not thinking about next season, but stressed he wants to be competing for Europe’s premier tournament.
He told Het Laatste Nieuws: “I don’t worry about it [speculation].
“I want to get the most out of myself this season and finish as high as possible with the team.
“Of course, I want to play in the Champions League, just like any footballer.
“Am I ready for a European top club? I’m ready to get the best out of my career.
“We’ll see what happens next summer, or the summer after that.”
Thomas Partey and Thomas ‘After’ Partey
Arsenal’s Thomas Partey met a lookalike and his Ghana team-mates were in hysterics, writes JOSHUA JONES.
The Arsenal midfielder linked up with his national team for their crunch World Cup play-off with rivals Nigeria.
And ahead of Friday’s 0-0 first-leg draw in Kumasi, striker Kofi Kyereh posted the sensational video on his Instagram story.
In the clip, the original Partey is decked out in a Ghana training shirt whilst his fan wore a Gunners shirt.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
