EDUARDO CAMAVINGA’S agent has given Arsenal a big boost by stating that he is not only looking at clubs playing Champions League football next season.
In order to raise funds for the likes of the French star, the Gunners are looking to offload Hector Bellerin for around £35m with Norwich’s Max Aarons lined up as a replacement, SunSport can reveal.
And Emile Smith-Rowe is set to be one of the Arsenal players offered a new contract.
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Keep up with all the latest transfer news as the Gunners look to bounce back from a turbulent campaign
RAMSEY UPDATE
Juventus ace Aaron Ramsey is “not happy” in Turin and wants to return to the Premier League.
That is according to Fabrizio Romano, who claims that there is no information suggesting that Ramsey is going to return to Arsenal.
Romano told talkSPORT: “At the moment there is nothing [on Ramsey returning to Arsenal].
“He’s hoping to come back to the Premier League. He’s not happy in Juventus, he’s not playing.
“So obviously he wants to come back to the Premier League.
“At the moment there is nothing with Arsenal.”
WRIGHT WARNING
Arsenal legend Ian Wright has warned the club that a lack of progress would increase Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe’s chances of leaving the Emirates.
Wright told Premier League Productions: “Talking about him [Smith-Rowe] and Saka, you’re hoping Arsenal can match their progression because if they don’t, then clubs will try and take them off of us.
“It is a massive concern. It is a massive concern that are Arsenal are able to sort out whatever is going on upstairs, with the manager, with the players that are going to come in, whoever he is going to bring in to try and execute whatever game plan he wants to do, because these guys are going to be a major part of that.
“If they continue to play well, if we do not progress as quickly as these guys progress, then you have to be worried about their ambition and what they want to do because they’re fantastic players”
ROWE PRAISE
Arsenal ace Emile Smith Rowe has impressed during his breakthrough season at the Emirates.
Rowe has proven to be a promising prospect for the next few years after replacing Mesut Ozil as the team’s playmaker.
In fact, Ozil has been watching the 20-year-old in action and is very impressed with his perfromances.
The Fenerbahce star tweeted: “He made the difference in the last couple of games as a No10.
“Really happy for him… and that he showed that playing with a No10 still can make sense in today’s football”
CAM AND GET ME
Rennes star Eduardo Camavinga may become a major talking point of this season’s summer transfer window.
Camavinga has been linked with a move to Arsenal as manager Mikel Arteta is looking to strengthen his midfield after a poor season.
The 18-year-old has been identified as the perfect partner for Thomas Partey in the middle of the pitch.
However, the Gunners will have some fierce competition to contend with as Bayern Munich and Real Madrid have also shown interest.
The France international is “flattered” with the fact that Europe’s biggest hitters are keeping tabs on him but no decision has been made on his future.
Camavinga told Telefoot: “It makes you feel flattered and it’s nice that teams like Real Madrid or Bayern are interested in your situation.
“I’m not going to lie, but I have not yet thought it over with my family”
YES WE CAM
Eduardo Camavinga’s agent has given Arsenal a big boost in their pursuit of the Rennes midfielder.
Jonathan Barnett, who also represents Gareth Bale, stated that although Camavinga is good enough to play Champions League football, he is not looking only at clubs in Europe’s elite competition.
Barnett commented: “Playing games is the most important thing at his age. Playing in a good club is nice. And learning, for him.”
In the interview, Barnett also refused to rule out Camavinga staying at Rennes for another year, though his contract expires next summer so that option may not be preferred by the Ligue 1 club.
Arsenal sit in 9th place in the Premier League, mathematically out of Champions League contention and almost certain to miss out on the Europa League as well.
GOOD MORNING ARSENAL FANS,
Mikel Arteta wants his side to play for the “pride in the shirt” against Chelsea.
He said: “I think it is the pride in the shirt that we wear [that motivates us], and that we want to win.
“Winning is going to put us in a much better position in the table, which is going to make us… the chance to finish where is mathematically possible, but it doesn’t depend on us at the moment.”
Arteta has also poured cold water on reports suggesting that Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny will return to the Emirates.
This comes after former Gunners star Jack Wilshere claimed the north Londoners’ failure comes down to the loss of “proper Arsenal people” from the club.
Arteta said: “I think it’s very important to have people that they’ve been here, that they have the experience, that they are well respected here.
“We have a lot of them as well around the training ground, at the stadium. So I don’t know if Jack refers more to the type of people or players, or just people that are recognised with the DNA of the club.
“Honestly I cannot talk about an individual.”
Meanwhile, SunSport has revealed that Roma have joined the race for Brighton star Ben White – the defender loads of major clubs across Europe are scrambling to sign.
The Italian sleeping giants have turned their attention to White on the instruction of new boss Jose Mourinho.
When Mourinho agreed to take charge in the Eternal City he made it clear the side needed strengthening, and the 23-year-old Seagulls ace is one of the names he gave them.
But the chances of Roma being able to seal a deal for White are remote, because there is so much interest in him Brighton know they can place a huge valuation on him – in excess of £45million.
Liverpool were watching him closely after that year at Elland Road, making inquiries to the Seagulls as the club were rejecting bids up to £25m from Leeds.
But it is not just Jurgen Klopp who admires from afar, Arsenal and Manchester United have also been tracking his performances in the Premier League.
And finally, Hector Bellerin seems likely to exit the club at the end of the season.
The Gunners are already lining up potential replacements as Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan appear keen to sign Bellerin in the summer.
The north Londoners are keeping tabs on Norwich ace Max Aarons as well as Real Betis player Emerson.
Manager Arteta has been promised funds in the summer by majority shareholder Stan Kroenke, who is looking to rebuild his relationship with the fans after the European Super League fiasco
AUBA THE TOP
Will Mikel Arteta turn to these two against Chelsea?
NOT GUNNER HAPPEN
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has poured cold water on reports suggesting that Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny will return to the Emirates.
This comes after former Gunners star Jack Wilshere claimed the north Londoners’ failure comes down to the loss of “proper Arsenal people” from the club.
Arteta said: “I think it’s very important to have people that they’ve been here, that they have the experience, that they are well respected here.
“We have a lot of them as well around the training ground, at the stadium. So I don’t know if Jack refers more to the type of people or players, or just people that are recognised with the DNA of the club.
“Honestly I cannot talk about an individual.”
GUARD OF HONOUR
Manchester City are champions of England once again after neighbours Man United lost at home to Leicester.
Pep Guardiola’s dominant side have now lifted their third title in four years after blowing away the rest of the field.
City should have spent Saturday evening celebrating their title triumph but were forced to put the champagne on ice after losing 2-1 at home to Chelsea.
But it was just a matter of when before their champion status was confirmed with three matches to spare when Caglar Soyuncu headed home Leicester’s 66th-minute winner at Old Trafford.
ODS ONE OUT
Arsenal are putting together a shortlist reportedly including Odsonne Edouard and Moussa Dembele as part of their summer overhaul.
According to the Telegraph, French striker Lacazette could be joined by Eddie Nketiah in leaving this summer, with two stars eyed as replacements.
Lyon forward Dembele, 24, has spent the second half of the season on loan at Atletico Madrid but is yet to score for the LaLiga leaders.
Still yet to start for his new club, the Frenchman can move for a pre-agreed £30million fee in the summer but his poor form and fitness issues make that an increasingly unlikely option.
Dembele remains under contract at Lyon for another two years yet is reportedly available for around £25m should Atleti let him go.
A slightly cheaper option, at around £15m to £20m, is said to be Celtic star Edouard.
HEY BERT
Arsenal have approached Ryan Bertrand after his contract negotiations with Southampton crumbled, according to reports.
The ex-England left-back, 31, is out of contract this summer after six years on the south coast.
Bertrand is now set to quit St Mary’s for nothing after extension negotiations crumbled.
And Arsenal have now joined AC Milan and Monaco in pursuing a free transfer, according to Goal.
TH£ RICH LI$T
Five of the Premier League’s Big Six have been named in Forbes’ top 50 most valuable sports teams on the planet just weeks after their failed European Super League money-grabbing plot.
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham were among 12 European giants to sign up for the controversial breakaway competition last month.
Incredibly, FIVE of the greedy Premier League’s Big Six are among Forbes’ top 50 most valuable sports teams on the planet – worth a combined £13BILLION.
WE’LL MISS LU
Arsenal head to Chelsea on Wednesday night as their desperate hunt for a European spot continues.
Mikel Arteta has confirmed David Luiz will miss the game with his former club, while admitting he has a few fitness worries elsewhere.
Here’s how they could line-up…
WHITE STUFF
Exclusive by Duncan Wright: Roma have joined the race for Brighton star Ben White – the defender loads of major clubs across Europe are scrambling to sign.
The Italian sleeping giants have turned their attention to White on the instruction of new boss Jose Mourinho.
When Mourinho agreed to take charge in the Eternal City he made it clear the side needed strengthening, and the 23-year-old Seagulls ace is one of the names he gave them.
But the chances of Roma being able to seal a deal for White are remote, because there is so much interest in him Brighton know they can place a huge valuation on him – in excess of £45million.
Liverpool were watching him closely after that year at Elland Road, making inquiries to the Seagulls as the club were rejecting bids up to £25m from Leeds.
But it is not just Jurgen Klopp who admires from afar, Arsenal and Manchester United have also been tracking his performances in the Premier League.
TUCH N GO
Mikel Arteta has hailed the work Thomas Tuchel has done at Chelsea.
He told the club’s website: “Probably they’ve been the best team in the league in the last few months, what Thomas [Tuchel] has been able to do since he arrived has been exceptional.
“He put the team in two finals, the way the team is looking, how solid they are defensively as well, how composed and regular they have been in their performance has been excellent.”
PJAN OF ACTION
Barcelona are reportedly keen to sign former Arsenal target Jorginho in the summer and are willing to offer Miralem Pjanic in exchange.
The Bosnian moved to the Nou Camp in a high-profile switch from Juventus last year, but he has failed to live up to expectations in Spain.
According to Sport, Barca are keen to offload the player at the end of the season, and have identified Chelsea midfielder Jorginho as a possible replacement.
The Catalan side are even exploring the viability of a swap deal involving the pair.
Mikel Arteta was linked with a swoop for Jorginho last summer after he fell out of favour under former Blues chief Frank Lampard.
FINE ART
Mikel Arteta wants Arsenal to play for the “pride in the shirt” against Chelsea.
He said: “I think it is the pride in the shirt that we wear [that motivates us], and that we want to win.
“Winning is going to put us in a much better position in the table, which is going to make us… the chance to finish where is mathematically possible, but it doesn’t depend on us at the moment.”
ZAK ATTACK
Arsenal are keeping tabs on Borussia Monchengladbach star Denis Zakaria ahead of the summer transfer window.
That is according to 90Min, who claim that the Gunners are so keen on Zakaria they would be willing to let Granit Xhaka go the other way.
Xhaka moved to the Emirates in 2016 after four impressive years at Gladbach.
Zakaria is out of contract in 2022 and the midfielder is expected to seek pastures new this summer
TUCHEL ON FA CUP
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel insists his players are fully concentrated on Arsenal and not Saturday’s FA Cup final against Leicester.
Tuchel said: “We just have an eye on the players’ workload and on the statistics that we have, who is maybe overloaded on high speed and from that we will decide who is at risk of injury. Everyone who is not at risk of injury will be available for the game.
“It’s not the time to manage the game on Saturday now. Now is the time to manage the game on Wednesday.
“We’re in the middle of a race for the top four and cannot judge games”
GETTY IMAGES TUCHEL ON KOVACIC
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel confirmed that Mateo Kovacic will be unavailable for Wednesday’s clash with Arsenal but is very pleased with the way Billy Gilmour has filled in.
Tuchel said: “He [Kovacic] is not ready for tomorrow, we have to postpone it to Wembley. His personal race is on to make it to the squad for Wembley.
“Billy Gilmour had to step up now because we miss Kova so much and we play normally always with a double-six, so we were rotating constantly between N’Golo [Kante], Jorgi[Jorginho] and Kova. Once we miss Kova now for so many games, so many weeks, it was on Billy to step up and I was very happy that he could deliver when it was needed.
‘So full credit for that, but Kova is a big loss with his ability to drive with the ball, his speed on the ball, without the ball. Kova is such a positive character and unique player, a real fighter on who you can always rely in games and training.
‘We really miss him, he is a good match with Jorgi and N’Golo in all combinations. So it’s a big miss and I can’t wait until he’s back in full team training. He’s taken some steps in the right direction and I hope he can rejoin team training after our game with Arsenal.”
RING THE BEL
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has identified Atletico Madrid ace Moussa Dembele as a potential replacement for Alexandre Lacazette.
Lacazette has been linked with an imminent exit from the Emirates ahead of the summer transfer window.
According to the Daily Telegraph, the Gunners may move for Dembele who’s been playing on loan at Atletico.
However, the striker has been struggling for form as he’s only registered one goal this season
SZCZEDING LIGHT
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has poured cold water on reports suggesting that Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny will return to the Emirates.
This comes after former Gunners star Jack Wilshere claimed the north Londoners’ failure comes down to the loss of “proper Arsenal people” from the club.
Arteta said: “I think it’s very important to have people that they’ve been here, that they have the experience, that they are well respected here.
“We have a lot of them as well around the training ground, at the stadium. So I don’t know if Jack refers more to the type of people or players, or just people that are recognised with the DNA of the club.
“Honestly I cannot talk about an individual”
CHECKMAIT
Manchester United are keeping tabs on West Brom loanee Ainsley Maitland-Niles ahead of the transfer window.
That is according to the Daily Mail, who claim United as well as Everton are considering a summer move for Maitland-Niles.
However, both clubs view him more as a right-back rather than a midfielder.
The 23-year-old has impressed on loan and seems set to return to Arsenal at the end of the season
GETTY IMAGES ARTETA MESSAGE TO FANS
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta shared a message to the fans, who’ve grown frustrated after a series of poor results.
Arteta said: “We can’t wait to have them back in the stadium, with the whole stadium or whatever the capacity that we’re allowed to have in the stadium for the last game.
“It’s something that we’ve missed in this process to have them together, to feel what the team wants to do and create that chemistry and get them closer to what we’re trying to do.
“We are trying to finalise everything, with the COVID world, it’s been a real challenge to get any games or pre-season tour sorted out, but hopefully in the next week that will be confirmed and we can announce that, but this is what we’re trying to do.
“Obviously the Euros is going to condition the return dates of the players in relation to what they do in the tournament, so there’s still some question marks”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
