ARSENAL’S chances of convincing William Saliba to stay has become a little more challenging with Marseille cleared to make signings for the summer.
The French outfit got given the green light by Court of Arbitration for sport which could bode well for Saliba who has already made his future plans clear.
Meanwhile, the Gunners have been put on red alert with their transfer target Youri Tielemans’ Leicester departure officially confirmed.
Fabrizio Romano has revealed that the Belgian will leave the King Power this summer and Arsenl plans have not changed on Tielemans despite missing out on Champions League football.
And the Gunners are reportedly in the race to sign Dominic Calvert-Lewin but the Evertonian striker could be snapped up by Newcastle instead.
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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.”
Joining Arsenal a ‘fantasy’
New Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Turner has described his transfer to North London as a “fantasy”.
Arriving from New England Revolution this summer, the American told The Athletic: “You can imagine this stuff, but only in a fantasy.
“You know that it’s never actually going to happen. Thinking about all the little things along the way that had to break for this to be possible, all the signs and all the omens, it’s all crazy.
“It’s really crazy. I never thought that this would actually happen for me. I’m just so excited and blessed.”
Gunners duo nominated for award
Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe have BOTH been nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year award.
The duo join Conor Gallagher, Phil Foden, Reece James and Jacob Ramsey on the shortlist.
The winner will be announced on Thursday, June 9.
Arsenal goalkeeper opens up
New Arsenal keeper Matt Turner has admitted that he will have to adapt his game to fit in at the North London squad.
The American, who arrives from New England Revolution, told The Athletic: “I have to train at a higher level.
“The style of play with the Revolution is mighty old school. If there’s pressure, we don’t really try to play out of it too much.
“At Arsenal, the goalkeepers are required to play a little bit more with the ball, playing in the system rather than just sort of going out there.
“They have to follow tactics and game plans a little more closely. Those are things that I know are valued with the national team that I’ll be challenged more with Arsenal.
“In December and January, I got to spend weeks at a time with the national team in buildup to games. And in all those games, I feel like I was pretty solid with the ball at my feet.
“Apart from the one blip in Canada, pretty solid connecting passes, making the right decisions. And then I don’t train exactly like that when I’m with the Revs, so I lose it. I get it for a couple of weeks, then I lose it. Now I’ll be training that way all the time.”
Ben Foster wants Arsenal move
Former England goalkeeper Ben Foster has admitted that he would like to sign for Arsenal this summer.
The 39-year-old said on the Fozcast: “If I’m signing for a club as a number two goalkeeper, it depends on the first-choice goalkeeper.
“Say Arsenal or Aston Villa, where the first-choice goalkeeper I know is a world-class goalkeeper – Ramsdale or Martinez – I know I have a world-class goalkeeper in front of me, who’s still at an age where they are learning and they can get there because they’ve got the potential.
“At that point, I will go ‘I’m going to help you maximise your ability and make sure you become an absolute monster or beast’.
“I’d love to be able to do that. I would love to do that.”
Scotland missing Arsenal star
The Tartan Army’s World Cup quest continues tonight… WITHOUT star full-back Kieran Tierney.
Steve Clarke’s side host Ukraine this evening aiming to book a place in Sunday’s play-off final against Wales in Cardiff.
Arsenal ace Tierney will NOT be available, due to the knee injury he suffered in March.
The left-back is aiming to return to fitness in time for pre-season.
Lucas Torreira eager to LEAVE
The Uruguayan cost Arsenal £26million when he joined from Sampdoria in 2018 as one of Unai Emery’s first signings for the club.
But while he was a first team regular during Emery’s 18 months in charge, he was unable to impress new boss Arteta and has not played for Arsenal for two years.
He spent an unsuccessful season on loan at Atletico Madrid in 2020-21 and a much more productive time back in Italy with Fiorentina.
Arsenal have already made it clear that he has no future at the Emirates after recently handing his number 11 shirt to Gabriel Martinelli.
But now they need to sort out a transfer fee before his contract enters its final 12 months and his transfer value completely collapses.
Torreira’s agent’s Fiorentina doubts
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.”
Lucas Torreira reveals transfer plans
Uruguayan star has told Arsenal he wants to stay with Fiorentina even though the Italians have failed to trigger their option to buy him.
The midfielder has just completed a successful season on loan at the Artemio Franchi stadium, helping the club to finish seventh in Serie A and qualify for the Europa Conference League.
Coach Vincenzo Italiano is keen to keep Torreira at Fiorentina but the option to sign him permanently for £12.5million expired on Tuesday.
Now Fiorentina are trying to negotiate Arsenal’s asking price down because they know he does not figure in Mikel Arteta’s plans and only has a year remaining 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.”
Wilshere on coaching dreams
Jack Wilshere has outlined his ambitions to be a coach.
The former Arsenal ace told the Standard: “I’d love to sit here and say I want to be England manager, I want to be Arsenal manager.
“But I am not stupid enough to think that just happens. You have to go and start somewhere, learn your trade, build yourself up.
“I’ve got a big desire to coach and become successful at that. You look at the managers who have been successful in the last five or six years, they started young, so I just think, why not?”
Wilshere and Arteta ‘opposites’
Former Gunner Jack Wilshere has admitted that he was the “complete opposite” of current boss Mikel Arteta at Arsenal.
Speaking to the Standard, he said: “I was the naughty one and he was the teacher’s pet.
“When I was back at Arsenal, Manuel Almunia was there.
“I went over to him when he was talking to Mikel and we were chatting.
“He said to me, ‘Are you the same Jack?’ Mikel said, ‘No, he’s not. He’s the complete opposite.'”
Mourinho hails Maitland-Niles
Jose Mourinho has said he will “miss” Ainsley Maitland-Niles after his loan spell with Roma came to an end.
Maitland-Niles spent the second half of the season in the Italian capital on a temporary deal from Arsenal.
The Arsenal man posted a picture of himself holding the Europa Conference League trophy to Instagram as he bid farewell to Roma.
He wrote: “Great way to end the season thank you to the Roma fans players and staff for embracing me and believing in me as one of their own for the short period of time spent at the club what an experience and to be a part of history with the club.”
Mourinho himself reposted the snap to his own Instagram account.
He said: “We will miss you. One of us.”
Ramsdale reveals toughest opponent
Arsenal stopper has named Jamie Vardy as one of his most difficult opponents.
Speaking to David Seaman on “Seaman Says”, the Gunners No1 revealed: “I’ll leave out the elite strikers like Man City’s and Liverpool but Jamie Vardy, the first game I played against him, he charged me down two or three times goal kicks then he lobbed me from about 25 yards.
“The game after that was probably the first time where I was a bit worried I was playing against him, maybe I was overthinking rather than going in and playing, he’s definitely one.”
Arsenal in Calvert-Lewin race
Newcastle are set to make a bid for Manchester United and Arsenal transfer target Dominic Calvert-Lewin, according to reports.
The striker, 25, had an injury-hit campaign and scored just five Premier League goals.
But he has proven himself a reliable goalscorer in the past and Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is after a mobile target man – with Calvert-Lewin fitting the bill.
Toon have funds to spend thanks to their Saudi ownership and could be prepared to meet Everton’s large demands, report The Mirror.
Everton will reportedly only sell if they receive a bid that matches their valuation of the striker – one which takes into account his importance to the club and his status as an England international.
England No1 hails Ramsdale progress
Jordan Pickford has praised Three Lions team-mate Aaron Ramsdale for his encouraging debut season at Arsenal.
The Everton stopper said: “Yeah ‘Rams’ has had a really good season, first season at Arsenal and he’s been unbelievable.
“But for me, it’s always concentrating on yourself as well.
“You always want challenges, as a footballer, you always want to be getting pushed.
“I really enjoy those challenges, and I want to be number one for England for longer.
“You want other people playing well, you want other people pushing, so I think when we’re training together, we’re pushing each other every day to get better and better.”
Arsenal stay in Tielemans hunt
Arsenal retain interest in Leicester ace Youri Tielemans despite missing out on the top four, according to reports.
The Gunners were believed to be closing in on the Belgian’s signature in a £40million deal, IF they secured a place in the Champions League.
Mikel Arteta and Co came fifth, but Fabrizio Romano reports that their “plans have not changed” with regards to Tielemans.
Negotiations could take a while, however, with two other clubs interested in signing the midfielder this summer.
Bayern star up for grabs
Arsenal and Man United transfer target Corentin Tolisso is set to leave Bayern Munich when his contract expires this summer.
The Frenchman, 27, joined the German giants from Lyon in 2017.
During his five-year stint at the club he made 118 appearances across all competitions and scored 21 goals.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano announced the departure on Twitter, stating: “Official. Corentin Tolisso leaves FC Bayern on a free transfer, there’s no agreement to extend the contract and both parties decided to part ways immediately.
“Tolisso will be available as free agent this summer.”
The midfielder’s imminent departure offers a huge transfer boost to Arsenal and Man Utd, who are both in the race to sign him.
Gunners in Palace transfer fight
Arsenal reportedly face a fight with club legend Patrick Vieira to sign Lens star Cheick Doucoure.
The 22-year-old has been in fine form in the French side’s midfield this term season, providing four assists and one goal in his 34 Ligue 1 appearances.
Now the Mali international allegedly wants a new challenge in England – and he’s not short of interest.
We reported previously how Arsenal were plotting a swoop for Doucoure.
The Gunners are planning a huge summer revamp this summer after missing out on Champions League football.
Boss Mikel Arteta is desperate for reinforcements and wants to add the star to his midfield.
However, The Telegraph claim that ex-Gunners captain Vieira has made Doucoure ‘his summer transfer window priority’ as he looks to continue improving Crystal Palace.
Good morning Arsenal fans
Arsenal are hoping to put together a fire sale this coming summer.
SunSport exclusively revealed the Gunners are hoping to scrape together £60million from selling some outcasts.
Bernd Leno is one of seven players in for the chop at a knockdown price as he has fallen out of favour after Aaron Ramsdale’s emergence.
The North Londoners missed out on Champions League football and major funds that they need to collect in a different manner.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are edging closer to completing a deal for Bologna ace Aaron Hickey.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Gunners are “pressing heavily” to land Hickey with an offer of £21.25million.
It appears the offer will be enough to get the deal across the line as the Serie A outfit are now said to be expecting a “very likely farewell”.
The North Londoners are looking to bolster their backline this summer after narrowly missing out on Champions League football.
The left-back position has been identified as one of the problematic areas to improve, especially given Kieran Tierney’s recurring injury problems.
And Arsenal look set to miss out on a £12.5million fee with Fiorentina struggling to stump up the price to land Lucas Torreira.
Torreira impressed during his loan spell with the Viola as he helped the club secure Europa Conference League football.
But the midfielder’s agent Pablo Bentancur has confirmed a potential move doesn’t look like it will happen.
Speaking to Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli, Bentancur said: “The chances of Lucas staying in Florence are very small – even if it’s not over yet.”
Finally, Everton star Richarlison admits he is pondering his future amid interest from Arsenal.
The forward said: “I’ve already made it clear to the board.
“I’ve already talked to [manager Frank] Lampard too, with my agents and they know what I want.
“Let’s wait for June. Now I can’t talk, because when we talk about leaving a club I’m kind of like this, because of the history I have at Everton, the affection that the fans have for me.
“When we talk about leaving I’m a little speechless”
Good morning Arsenal fans
Arsenal are hoping to put together a fire sale this coming summer.
SunSport exclusively revealed the Gunners are hoping to scrape together £60million from selling some outcasts.
Bernd Leno is one of seven players in for the chop at a knockdown price as he has fallen out of favour after Aaron Ramsdale’s emergence.
The North Londoners missed out on Champions League football and major funds that they need to collect in a different manner.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are edging closer to completing a deal for Bologna ace Aaron Hickey.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Gunners are “pressing heavily” to land Hickey with an offer of £21.25million.
It appears the offer will be enough to get the deal across the line as the Serie A outfit are now said to be expecting a “very likely farewell”.
The North Londoners are looking to bolster their backline this summer after narrowly missing out on Champions League football.
The left-back position has been identified as one of the problematic areas to improve, especially given Kieran Tierney’s recurring injury problems.
And Arsenal look set to miss out on a £12.5million fee with Fiorentina struggling to stump up the price to land Lucas Torreira.
Torreira impressed during his loan spell with the Viola as he helped the club secure Europa Conference League football.
But the midfielder’s agent Pablo Bentancur has confirmed a potential move doesn’t look like it will happen.
Speaking to Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli, Bentancur said: “The chances of Lucas staying in Florence are very small – even if it’s not over yet.”
Finally, Everton star Richarlison admits he is pondering his future amid interest from Arsenal.
The forward said: “I’ve already made it clear to the board.
“I’ve already talked to [manager Frank] Lampard too, with my agents and they know what I want.
“Let’s wait for June. Now I can’t talk, because when we talk about leaving a club I’m kind of like this, because of the history I have at Everton, the affection that the fans have for me.
“When we talk about leaving I’m a little speechless”
Arsenal new kit
Arsenal’s black away kit for the 2022-2023 season is expected to hit the shelves in July with fans loving the design.
Leaked pics of the rumoured jersey have emerged online which has sent social media into meltdown.
Snaps of the away jersey hit the internet in March, but the design has changed drastically to what it was previously thought to be.
Initial photos had the kit in an all-black stealth design, however new pictures show that is not the case.
The jersey is now black with an edgy pattern in the background of the top
Mourinho targets Bellerin
Roma are eyeing up a shock swoop for Arsenal ace Hector Bellerin following his impressive loan spell at Real Betis.
Bellerin is facing an uncertain future at the Emirates with the player not believed to be in Mikel Arteta’s plans.
According to Calciomercato, the right-back is seen as someone who could provide competition for Rick Karsdorp at the Olimpico.
The Giallorossi are prepared to back Mourinho in the market and have promised him defensive reinforcements after he guided them to Europa Conference League glory
Caitlin Foord reacts
Arsenal ace Caitlin Foord claims she “found herself again” at the Emirates.
Foord said: “It feels amazing. Since I joined this club, I’ve absolutely fallen in love with being here.
“I mentioned in one of my early interviews that I had lost my way in football a bit, but since being here I’ve absolutely fallen in love and found myself again.
“We’ve been inching towards winning lots of silverware and that’s definitely going to be the plan for next year.
“We want to win multiple trophies and I think with the squad, the team, the players and the support we have, we have the squad to be able to do it”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
