ARSENAL have received a huge boost with Leicester ace Youri Tielemans admitting he wants to LEAVE Leicester City this summer.
The Frenchman has been heavily linked with a move to the Gunners, as Mikel Arteta searches for an adequate back-up to Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey.
Meanwhile, the North London outfit seem to be edging closer in landing their top transfer target Gabriel Jesus this summer.
Jesus, 25, has reportedly agreed personal terms and informed friends he is in favour of a switch to the Emirates.
Plus, reports from Spain suggest that the Man City star has a verbal agreement with the club that he can leave for a fee of £38m-£43m.
And Napoli are hoping to pinch Ligue 1 Player of the Year William Saliba from under Arsenal’s noses according to reports.
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Tielemans hints at exit
Arsenal have received a boost in their pursuit of Youri Tielemans after the Leicester star declared he is open to depart the King Power Stadium.
The 25-year-old midfielder has been heavily linked with a move away from the East Midlands with his contract to expire in 2023.
Speaking in Belgium’s pre-match press conference ahead of their Nations League clash against Poland, Tielemans was asked whether he could leave Leicester.
He replied: “That is not out of the question. But I can also stay. I feel very good at Leicester.
“I was welcomed with open arms from day one. I give everything for the club until the last day.
“But of course you have to listen to other opportunities, you have to look at your career, and sometimes you have to make choices. Maybe one will come my way.”
Of course you have to listen to other opportunities.
Youri Tielemans
Saka speculation no worries for Arsenal
Arsenal are shrugging off speculation surrounding Bukayo Saka and are happy to wait for the player to finish his summer holiday before launching contract negotiations.
Both Manchester City and Liverpool have been linked with the 20-year-old England winger since the Gunners missed out on Champions League qualification last month.
But Arsenal are adamant that their current Player of the Year is going nowhere and remain confident that he will soon sign a new long-term Emirates deal.
Saka is currently away on international duty and is not due to return for pre-season training for another five weeks.
And manager Mikel Arteta is keen for his young star to take a complete break from football before getting down to serious contract talks.
As SunSport reported back in March, the plan has always been to sort out Saka’s long-term future this summer with the offer of a new deal worth somewhere in the region of £125,000-a-week.
Toon in for Morata
Newcastle have reportedly joined the race to prise Alvaro Morata away from Atletico Madrid, writes Jake Lambourne.
The Spanish striker is on his way back to the Wanda Metropolitano after spending the last two seasons on loan at Juventus.
Chelsea flop Morata is facing an uncertain future under Diego Simeone, with Arsenal claimed to be eyeing up a shock transfer.
Serie A giants Juventus remain keen on turning his temporary stay in Turin into a permanent switch.
It is believed that the Old Lady aren’t willing to match Atletico’s £30million asking price having already forked out £17m on his loan.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Newcastle are keeping tabs on Morata ahead of a possible swoop.
An ode to Martin
Martin Odegaard’s 2021/22 season…
7 goals
5 assists
81 chances created
86% passing accuracy
Player of the Season: 2nd place
Credit: AFP Half time: Germany 0-0 England
Germany will be keen to show more attacking prowess in the second half for the patient German fans in Munich.
They are seeing plenty of the ball and are stretching England – they are one pass away from opening their opponents up and scoring.
Gareth Southgate could no doubt put a good spin on a draw in Munich, but it is very difficult to win World Cups without scoring any goals.
Not have these two nations played out such a stalemate since the fields of France many moons ago.
Tactically, this is a better showing by both – they just seem unable to break each other down.
Both managers have plenty of attacking options on the bench.
Follow the game with SunSport’s live blog.
A plus for Aaron
Aaron Ramsdale’s 2021/22 season…
37 games
96 saves
14 clean sheets
71% save percentage
Player of the Season: 3rd place
Credit: Getty Betsy says his goodbyes
Kevin Betsy said his goodbyes to Arsenal whilst thanking the club for a wonderful experience.
He said: ” I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Arsenal, all of the staff and players for a wonderful time at the club.
“The club has been first class in how things have been conducted and allowing me to take this chance to progress myself with the opportunity at Crawley Town.”
Arsenal lose two academy coaches
Arsenal have been dealt a blow after losing top academy bosses Kevin Betsy and Dan Micciche to Crawley Town.
Betsy helped guide Arsenal’s U23s to a top-three finish in Premier League 2.
He also spent five successful years in the England youth setup, taking charge of the Three Lions’ U15s, 16s, 17s and 18s, before joining the Gunners in the summer of 2021.
Betsy has penned a two-year deal with the mid-table League Two outfit.
Joining as his assistant manager is Arsenal U18s boss Micciche.
Like manager Betsy, Micciche spent time with the England youth setup before making the switch to Arsenal.
Germany vs England
England will be hoping to make what happened in Budapest a distant memory when they take on Germany TONIGHT.
But the Germans won’t make it easy as they’ll be eager to get revenge for the Euro 2020 round of 16 defeat.
Germany XI: Neuer; Schlotterbeck, Rudiger, Klostermann; Hofmann, Gundogan, Kimmich, Raum; Muller, Musiala, Havertz
England XI: Pickford; Trippier, Maguire, Stones, Walker; Phillips, Rice; Mount; Sterling, Kane, Saka
Follow the game with SunSport’s live blog.
Arsenal’s highest-ranked stars
Arsenal have four players in the world’s top 100 most valuable list.
Bukayo Saka is the priciest of them all at £85.4m – a value which sees him slot in two spots below Sancho in 15th.
Then comes Emile Smith-Rowe down in 62nd position at £53.1m, followed by Martin Odegaard in 75th at £49.2m.
And the final Gunners player to make it into the list is keeper Aaron Ramsdale – who squeezes into the top 100 in 94th at £43.6m.
Nunez blow to Gunners
Man Utd and Newcastle are reportedly leading the chase to sign Benfica striker Darwin Nunez.
Arsenal and French giants Paris Saint-Germain are also allegedly keen on the forward.
The Uruguayan star has hit the headlines with his red-hot form this season, finding the net 32 times in all competitions.
Now ESPN claims that United and Newcastle “are bidding” for the hotshot and they are “closest to signing him” at present.
World Cup to have ‘ROBOT LINESMEN’ for first time in history
FIFA remains on track to introduce “robo linesmen” at the 2022 World Cup, writes Martin Lipton.
World boss Gianni Infantino is keen to introduce the “semi automated offside” system for Fifa’s global showpiece which starts in November.
Trials of the system, which uses 10 cameras to track 29 body points of each player, took place in the Club World Cup won by Liverpool and the Arab Cup held in four of Doha’s eight World Cup stadiums.
And with all the signs that the technology does work, bringing far quicker offside calls than under the current VAR line-led system, world chiefs are due to give a positive update at Monday’s delayed annual general meeting of the law-making International FA Board.
England’s opener against Iran on November 21 will be only the second game in which the technology is deployed.
Walcott issues Saka stark warning
Bukayo Saka has been urged to remain with Arsenal by ex-Gunner Theo Walcott.
Walcott warned Saka that he won’t be a big fish at City like he is with Arsenal.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Walcott said: ” He needs to understand that the playing opportunities will be limited at Manchester City.
“He will, of course, be more likely to win things, but it is not saying Arsenal won’t win things.
“I think they are in that phase, they are slowly starting to get there. They would have taken fifth at the start of the season, given how it went.
“I am hopeful he will be at Arsenal next season, I am pretty sure of that.”
An ode to Martin
Martin Odegaard’s 2021/22 season…
7 goals
5 assists
81 chances created
86% passing accuracy
Player of the Season: 2nd place
Credit: AFP Leno lined up by German club
Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno could be in line for a switch to Hertha Berlin.
Leno’s looking for a new club after falling down the pecking order behind Aaron Ramsdale.
And Hertha have placed Leno on a five-man shortlist of possible replacements for counterpart Alexander Schwolow, according to Bild.
However, Leno will have to take a huge pay cut to join the German side who won’t be able to afford his £5.5m annual wages, the report adds.
England XI the last time in Germany – beaten by Podolski
England will play long-time rivals Germany in Munich on Tuesday with Gareth Southgate’s men chasing a first Nations League group win this season.
The Three Lions kicked off the competition with a shock 1-0 loss to Hungary, with the goal being scored from the penalty spot.
The last time England played Germany in their own back yard was over five years ago.
Then world champions Germany won the game 1-0 at the Signal Iduna Park, home of Borussia Dortmund.
Former Arsenal ace Lukas Podolski got the only goal of the game, which came in the second half.
But England’s line-up that night is completely unrecognisable to today’s squad of players…
Saka speculation no worries for Arsenal
Arsenal are shrugging off speculation surrounding Bukayo Saka and are happy to wait for the player to finish his summer holiday before launching contract negotiations.
Both Manchester City and Liverpool have been linked with the 20-year-old England winger since the Gunners missed out on Champions League qualification last month.
But Arsenal are adamant that their current Player of the Year is going nowhere and remain confident that he will soon sign a new long-term Emirates deal.
Saka is currently away on international duty and is not due to return for pre-season training for another five weeks.
And manager Mikel Arteta is keen for his young star to take a complete break from football before getting down to serious contract talks.
As SunSport reported back in March, the plan has always been to sort out Saka’s long-term future this summer with the offer of a new deal worth somewhere in the region of £125,000-a-week.
A Plus for Aaron
Aaron Ramsdale’s 2021/22 season…
37 games
96 saves
14 clean sheets
71% save percentage
Player of the Season: 3rd place
Credit: Getty Arsenal chase Sassuolo striker
Arsenal are one of several clubs tracking Sassuolo striker Gianluca Scamacca.
The Gunners’ interest was confirmed by Sassuolo CEO Giovanni Carnevali, who also claims AC and Inter Milan are keen on the forward.
Carnevali told Football Italia: “There have been some contacts with some clubs for Scamacca and others.”
But the Gunners face a tough time convincing Sassuolo to sell as they want to keep hold of young stars like Scamacca.
Carnevali added: “Our desire is to keep most players in the team, and there is nothing concrete for now.’
‘We need to wait for young players and give them a chance in Serie A.”
Arsenal’s highest-ranked stars
Arsenal have four players in the world’s top 100 most valuable list.
Bukayo Saka is the priciest of them all at £85.4m – a value which sees him slot in two spots below Sancho in 15th.
Then comes Emile Smith-Rowe down in 62nd position at £53.1m, followed by Martin Odegaard in 75th at £49.2m.
And the final Gunners player to make it into the list is keeper Aaron Ramsdale – who squeezes into the top 100 in 94th at £43.6m.
Prem giants in Osimhen battle
Newcastle have joined Manchester United and Arsenal in the race to sign Napoli forward Victor Osimhen, according to reports.
Both Man Utd and Arsenal are in the hunt for reinforcements up front and have identified £85million man Osimhen as a potential target.
But according to transfer guru Gianluca Di Marzio, both clubs have been joined by newly mega-rich Newcastle in the hunt for the Nigeria international.
Gabriel Jesus transfer price boost
Arsenal and Chelsea have received a boost in their pursuit of Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus.
According to Marca, Jesus and Man City agreed a long time ago that his price would be set at £43million.
This could enable both Arsenal and Chelsea to afford him this summer.
Walcott issues Saka stark warning
Bukayo Saka has been urged to remain with Arsenal by ex-Gunner Theo Walcott.
Walcott warned Saka that he won’t be a big fish at City like he is with Arsenal.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Walcott said: ” He needs to understand that the playing opportunities will be limited at Manchester City.
“He will, of course, be more likely to win things, but it is not saying Arsenal won’t win things.
“I think they are in that phase, they are slowly starting to get there. They would have taken fifth at the start of the season, given how it went.
“I am hopeful he will be at Arsenal next season, I am pretty sure of that.”
Leno lined up by German club
Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno could be in line for a switch to Hertha Berlin.
Leno’s looking for a new club after falling down the pecking order behind Aaron Ramsdale.
And Hertha have placed Leno on a five-man shortlist of possible replacements for counterpart Alexander Schwolow, according to Bild.
However, Leno will have to take a huge pay cut to join the German side who won’t be able to afford his £5.5m annual wages, the report adds.
Walcott makes Gareth Bale plea
Theo Walcott would love to see Gareth Bale back at Southampton next season.
Asked about a potential return for Bale, Walcott told TalkSport: “I am not the man to answer that but I would love him there, of course.
“There are a lot of teams, it is Gareth Bale.
“You can see what he does for Wales, it shows that he’s still fit and hungry.
“It will be very interesting, I am intrigued.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
