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.
And Ben White was a starter for England in their win over Switzerland, following the late withdrawal of John Stones during the warm-up.
It comes just a day after he responded to criticism from Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher.
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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.
How Arsenal could line up with Rashford
Arsenal are reportedly ready to add Marcus Rashford to their attacking ranks with the star allegedly unhappy at Manchester United, JOSHUA MBU writes.
And if were to join the Gunners, it would see the London side assemble an attacking force as young as it would be lethal.
According to the Mirror, Rashford is disgruntled and Arsenal are ready to offer him an escape route out of Old Trafford.
In midfield, the Gunners have been linked with a move for Leicester ace Youri Tielemans, whose contract expires in the summer of 2023.
Arsenal reportedly held talks with the midfielder’s representatives in January over a potential switch to the Emirates.
Not Keane on that
Roy Keane let rip at Ben White for his role in Switzerland’s goal against England at Wembley, writes SIMON RICE.
The Arsenal defender saw a Xherdan Shaqiri cross to the back post float just over his head before Breel Embolo buried the opportunity.
White was only in the side after John Stones, initially named in the starting XI, had to pull out after picking up an injury in the pre-match warm up.
Credit: Getty But notoriously hard-to-please Keane had no sympathy.
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.
“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.”
Arsenal legend Ian Wright however stuck up for White.
He retorted: “I think, being called up as late as he did because of the injury in the warm-up, there was a bit of nerves, you could see that.
“But I thought he did well in the game to be honest. He did very well.”
Fortunately, England recovered from that 22nd minute goal to come back and win the friendly clash 2-1.
Arteta on the milestone
Mikel Arteta, now 40, is still is the youngest manager in the Premier League.
He told the Gunners official site: “Honestly, I don’t really think about it, because for me age is relative.”
“It’s relative for me as a manager and also for the way I look at players.
“Because for me when people say someone has a lot of experience, what does that mean? Experience of what kind? That’s what is more relevant.
“So how much experience do I have? A lot or a little, I don’t know because I have been in this league for 20 years.
“So even though I am Spanish I have experience of this country, I have lived here, I understand the league, the culture, the players.
“So I don’t know, I just feel lucky to be part of this club, especially at this moment.
“And especially now when I feel there is a real sense of unity and when I see there is an energy.
“When I visualise the club and when I see the Emirates I see energy and direction.
“I see we are connected as a club and that empowers me and gives me the energy to say ‘we can do this and we believe.’
“Yeah, I feel really young to be fair because I am surrounded by a lot of young people”.
Arteta turns 40
It was boss Mikel Arteta’s 40th birthday yesterday and he spoke to Arsenal’s official site.
Arteta said: “Well when I went into management I had a clear vision of what I wanted to accomplish with Arsenal.”
“I wanted to build a winning team that was also financially sustainable and that could transmit the values, the identity and the passion that the club has had over the years.
Credit: Getty “There have been some very difficult decisions to make.
“You have to have a lot of support from within the club to do it, and then the decisions need to be right.
“Until now I think one of the biggest successes has been to create – as a club – a culture and an atmosphere where our players, staff and everyone can feel that this is a place where they can fulfil their potential.
“It is a place where they can grow, they can participate and everyone can add value to the club.
“When you get that, you create a real sense of belonging and that’s something more powerful than just personal interest.
“I think that’s been one of our biggest wins so far.”
Not a Rash decision
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.
Credit: Getty He has hit a barren run of form and slipped way down the pecking order – with just five goals in 26 appearances across all competitions and two completed 90 minutes.
The England international was dropped by Gareth Southgate for the current Three Lions camp.
Good morning to Gunners fans
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Youri Tielemans and Darwin Nunez top the transfer speculation list.
And Gunners’ midfielder Granit Xhaka impressed as he played all the game for Switzerland in their 2-1 friendly defeat against England at Wembley.
Newcastle and West Ham are expected to rival Arsenal for Everton forward Calvert-Lewin.
The Toffees are reportedly willing to sell due to worries over Financial Fair Play awards.
And Gunners’ boss Mikel Arteta – 40 yesterday – is expected to make recruiting a proven scorer one of his summer priorities.
Meanwhile, star Leicester midfielder Tielemans has suggested he wants to play Champions League football.
Arsenal and Manchester United remain the Belgian’s main suitors.
So it’s an extra incentive for the Gunners to hold onto fourth place in the Prem ahead of the Red Devils and Tottenham.
Finally, Newcastle are said to be rivalling Arsenal for Benfica forward Nunez.
Gunners linked to Dom swoop
Arsenal, Newcastle and West Ham are tipped to pursue Dominic Calvert-Lewin after suggestions Everton are ready to sell their England striker.
The Toffees reportedly have worries over Financial Fair Play awards and Calvert-Lewin is arguably their most valuable asset.
Credit: Getty Roma ‘back in for Granit’
Roma have reportedly reignited their interest in signing Granit Xhaka from Arsenal.
Jose Mourinho has been keen to sign the midfielder since he arrived in Italy last year.
Xhaka was also open to the move, but the two clubs could not agree on a fee.
But, according to Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport, a deal could finally be struck this summer.
40 up for Arteta
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta can properly relax for his 40th birthday – as it’s the international break.
And when he returns he’ll hope to cement the Gunners’ top-four spot.
Arsenal, Toon & Hammers in Calvert-Lewin boost
Arsenal, Newcastle and West Ham are tipped to pursue Dominic Calvert-Lewin after suggestions Everton are ready to sell their England striker.
The Toffees reportedly have worries over Financial Fair Play awards and Calvert-Lewin is arguably their most valuable asset
Credit: Getty Mourinho predicted Hazard’s Real hell
Eden Hazard’s injury hell at Real Madrid was predicted by his former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho in 2015.
Hazard’s spell at Los Blancos has been blighted by repeated setbacks since joining from the Blues three years ago.
Hazard, 31, has picked up his 16th injury at the Bernabeu – with the Belgium international to to have surgery on his right leg in order to remove a plate.
He will now miss Real’s Champions League quarter-final first leg tie against his former side at Stamford Bridge on April 6.
In 2016 it was revealed Hazard was the most fouled player in the Premier League.
A year beforehand, while Mourinho worked with the winger, the Special One warned the forward’s career could be cut short due to constant fouls.
He said: “People [are] in love with football in this country – people must be in love with Eden Hazard. The way, match after match, he’s being punished by opponents and he’s not being protected by referees, maybe one day we won’t have Eden Hazard.
“It’s one, two, three, four, five, ten aggressive fouls against him. They kick and kick and kick, and the kid resists. He’s a very honest guy in the way he plays, but that’s another problem.”
Latest: England 2 Switzerland 1
Harry Kane’s 78th minute penalty put England in front for the first time.
Steven Zuber’s handball from a Marc Guehi header was penalised by VAR, enabling Kane to draw level with Bobby Charlton from the spot as the Three Lions’ all-time top scorer on 49 goals.
Click on our match blog HERE for updates from Wembley in this friendly.
Youri boost for Arsenal & Man Utd
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.
Meanwhile United have identified the ex-Monaco ace as a cheaper alternative to West Ham’s Declan Rice and Leeds’ Kalvin Phillips.
Tielemans could be sold in the upcoming transfer window with it claimed he has rejected a bumper new deal to stay in the Midlands.
And in a boost for Arsenal and United, the Foxes are said to have slashed their asking from £60million to just £35m to avoid losing him on a free.
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.
H/T: England 1 Switzerland 1
Luke Shaw punished woeful Swiss defending in first-half stoppage time to cancel out Breel Embolo’s superb headed opener.
It rescued the Three Lions’ from a poor show, with Arsenal’s Ben White vulnerable in central defence and the visitors lively
Click on our match blog HERE for updates from Wembley in this friendly.
LATEST: England 0 Switzerland 1
Breel Embolo’s bullet header from a fine cross put the Swiss in front from one of the first moments of real quality.
Arsenal centre-back Ben White should arguably have done much better as he seemed to get stuck underneath the ball.
Click on our match blog HERE for updates from Wembley in this friendly.
LIVE: England 0 Switzerland 0
Our LIVE MATCH BLOG will have blow-by-blow updates.
Click HERE for updates from Wembley as the Three Lions, in their changed blue kit, feel their way into this friendly.
White in for Stones
Arsenal’s Ben White has replaced John Stones in England’s central defence after the Manchester City star pulled up in practice before the 5.30pm kick-off with Switzerland.
Xhaka starts against England
Crystal Palace central defender Marc Guehi and Southampton right-back Kyle Walker-Peters make their England debuts in this evening’s friendly with Switzerland.
Manchester United skipper Harry Kane is only a sub.
Palace’s huge input also includes on-loan Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher earning his second cap and Tyrick Mitchell being a sub.
Arsenal anchorman Granit Xhaka and ex-Liverpool playmaker Xherdan Shaqiri start for the visitors.
England XI: Pickford, Walker-Peters, Guehi, Stones, Coady, Shaw, Gallagher, Henderson, Mount, Foden, Kane.
Switzerland XI: Omlin, Widmer, Akanji, Frei, Embolo, Freuler, Xhaka, Steffen, Rodriguez, Vargas, Shaqiri.
Toon ‘fight Arsenal for Nunez’
Newcastle are ready to fight Arsenal for Benfica striker Darwin Nunez, according to reports.
The Magpies are set for another big transfer window, with their controversial Saudi owners set to oversee their first summer at St James’ Park.
In January they splashed the cash on Kieran Trippier, Bruno Guimaraes, Chris Wood, Dan Burn and Matt Targett.
And according to The Athletic, they could begin this summer’s splurge with a £50million swoop for Nunez.
On their podcast Pod on the Tyne, reporter Chris Waugh revealed that the Toon are enamoured by the 22-year-old striker.
Waugh said: “He’s someone Newcastle, certainly Steve Nickson the head of recruitment, has liked for a long while, they’ve watched a lot.
“There was almost surprise in January that they didn’t make a bid in the end because there has been a lot of interest.
“They’ve watched him extensively.”
How Arsenal lined up in last Koscielny game
Laurent Koscielny has announced his retirement from football aged 36 following a bitter January exit from Bordeaux.
The defender departed the Ligue 1 side after being frozen out, and hasn’t found a club in the meantime.
Since his exit Koscielny has been accused of racist behaviour by Bordeaux ultras – allegations that he vehemently denies.
The former France international also left Arsenal on poor terms back in 2019, following nine years in North London.
Despite being club skipper, Koscielny refused to jet out on their pre-season tour in order to force through a transfer.
He eventually got his wish, meaning that the 2019 Europa League final was the last of his 353 appearances for the club.
Unai Emery’s side were mauled 4-1 by Chelsea that day, with their former forward Olivier Giroud coming back to haunt the Gunners that day – while Eden Hazard put on a masterclass to bring his time at Stamford Bridge to an end.
Arsenal’s starting XI that day featured just two players that remain with the club to this day.
Tite linked with Gunners
Brazil boss Tite is reportedly in talks with Arsenal over a potential job once he departs his position after the 2022 World Cup.
The 60-year-old is poised to leave his role within the Selecao set-up later this year after the tournament in Qatar.
And it has been claimed that he could be heading to the Emirates following discussions with Gunners technical director Edu.
The pair worked together when Tite was the Corinthians gaffer and Edu was their director of football.
During ESPN’s broadcast of Brazil’s 4-0 win against Chile on Thursday, in which Gabriel Martinelli made his international debut, TV Globo reporter Eric Faria spoke of the talks.
He said: “There is already a negotiation of Tite to work in English football.
“To work at Arsenal. He worked with Edu Gaspar.
“There is the intention, negotiations have started.”
How Arsenal lined up the last time Laurent Koscielny played
Laurent Koscielny has announced his retirement from football aged 36 following a bitter January exit from Bordeaux.
Arsenal lined up the last time Laurent Koscielny played with just TWO surviving 2019 Europa League final thrashing.
The defender has departed Ligue Bordeaux 1 after being frozen out, and hasn’t found a club in the meantime.
The former France international also left Arsenal on poor terms back in 2019, following nine years in North London.
Despite being club skipper, Koscielny refused to jet out on their pre-season tour in order to force through a transfer.
He eventually got his wish, meaning that the 2019 Europa League final was the last of his 353 appearances for the club.
Unai Emery’s side were mauled 4-1 by Chelsea that day, with their former forward Olivier Giroud coming back to haunt the Gunners that day – while Eden Hazard put on a masterclass to bring his time at Stamford Bridge to an end.
Arsenal’s starting XI that day featured just two players that remain with the club to this day.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
