DENNIS BERGKAMP has told Arsenal fans Daniel Ek is STILL interested in buying the club off Stan Kroenke.
Elsewhere, the Gunners will have a better chance of signing Eduardo Camavinga than any other club if they make a serious bid, according to reports.
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The Rennes star, who is also target for Real Madrid, is said to be high on the Gunners’ radar this summer.
And Arsenal were celebrating another three points in the Premier League as Nicolas Pepe netted a brace in a 3-1 win over Crystal Palace.
Get all the latest Arsenal news, transfer gossip and updates with our live blog…
BUENDIA PRICE
Arsenal are reportedly keeping tabs on Norwich ace Emiliano Buendia ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Gunners are lining up a potential replacement for Martin Odegaard, who could return to Real Madrid once his loan stint comes to an end.
According to Goal, the Canaries will demand around £40million for the playmaker.
The 24-year-old Argentine has registered 15 goals and 17 assists in 41 matches across all competitions this season
NO QUIT
Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp insists Spotify co-founder Daniel Ek will keep trying in his bid to buy the club as he is “not a quitter”.
Bergkamp and fellow Invincibles Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira have backed Ek, who is trying to reach a deal with the Kroenke family.
The legendary striker told Voetbal International: “Daniel doesn’t see a takeover as buying a nice toy.
“We can’t force anyone to sell. I understand that, in addition to that offer, Daniel has now reached out twice to Josh Kroenke and his bankers.
“Whatever Kroenke’s intentions are, it would be good if we at least have a conversation with each other.
“Regardless, Daniel is not a quitter and neither are we. We are here to stay”
BERGE RECAP
Sheffield United ace Sander Berge is being targeted by Arsenal and the north Londoners have reportedly made an initial £17.2million bid for the midfielder.
The Gunners have joined Liverpool and Tottenham in the bidding war over Berge, who has stood out at Bramall Lane ever since his move from Genk last year.
The 23-year-old may also be keen to move to the Emirates if his Norway team-mate Martin Odegaard stays put and doesn’t return to Real Madrid in the summer.
Berge, as it stands, appears to be leaning towards Arsenal over the Reds and north London rivals Spurs.
CHANGE OF GAARD?
Martin Odegaard’s loan stint at Arsenal is slowly coming to an end and his future looks uncertain.
Reports suggest Real Madrid will give Odegaard more opportunities next season, especially if current manager Zinedine Zidane leaves.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta wants to keep the talented playmaker for another year at least but is not taking any risks, which is why he is lining up potential replacements.
Among them is Norwich ace Emiliano Buendia who has registered 15 goals and 17 assists in 41 matches across all competitions this season
SHIRT THING
Just a quick reminder, in case you missed it:
Arsenal’s new home kit for next season has been ‘leaked’ online with a throwback to the club’s 1998 shirt.
This brings back memories of Arsene Wenger’s first ever Premier League title in charge of the Gunners, which is when the Frenchman practically built his dynasty.
The FootyHeadlines reveal shows a red design in a shade slightly lighter than this term’s effort
TIP OF THE ICE-BERG
Dennis Bergkamp says Spotify boss Daniel Ek and the Arsenal legends won’t give up their bid to take over the Gunners.
Current owner Stan Kroenke has rejected an initial £1.8billion bid from Ek, who has support from Bergkamp and fellow Invincibles Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira.
Bergkamp said: “We can’t force anyone to sell.
“I understand that, in addition to that offer, Daniel has now reached out twice to Josh Kroenke [Arsenal director and Stan’s son] and his bankers.
“Whatever Kroenke’s intentions are, it would be good if we at least have a conversation with each other. In the interests of the club.
“Regardless, Daniel is not a quitter and neither are we football boys. We are here to stay.”
MUST HAVE
Shkodran Mustafi will be released at the end of the season after just three months spent with German side Schalke.
The Arsenal flop only joined the Bundesliga outfit in February after having his contract terminated by the Gunners.
And having failed to make an impression during his short spell at the Veltins-Arena, the 29-year-old defender will be on the lookout for a new club in the summer.
Credit: AFP CONFERENCE CALL
The Premier League’s final day is all about the race for Europe, with seven teams still jostling for position.
Seventh place will seal a position in the intriguing new Europa Conference League for next season.
Taking place in the same Thursday night slot as the Europa League, the Conference League will offer a chance for clubs in smaller football nations to get more of a taste of the big time.
If neither Tottenham or Everton can produce three points, then all Arsenal have to do is win their game to somehow sneak into Europe.
Check out the full rundown of permutations from SunSport’s resident maths boffin Etienne Fermie here.
TAKING THE MIKEL
Arsenal fans are dreaming of a title challenge next season after their impressive form in the second half of the campaign.
Mikel Arteta’s side have endured a disappointing season and occupy ninth, eight points adrift of a top-four finish.
Yet, during the second half of the season, they have been quietly going about their business winning 13 from their last 23 matches.
Arsenal have picked up 44 points which is only bettered by title-winners Manchester City who have 57.
The Gunners have two more than Manchester United and Chelsea, and five more than both Leeds and Leicester.
WHERE THERE’S A WILL…
Allan Saint-Maximin believes Newcastle must keep looking for players such as Joe Willock to build a strong team.
The Arsenal loanee has been a revelation on Tyneside and the winger wanted to build a partnership with him akin to one devastating duo in North London.
He told Sky Sports: “We have to buy more players like Joe Willock, he can be really great for the team and for myself.
“I am 24 years old, and have to think about the national team, about winning trophies, and hope the club can give me that.
“My relationship is really good with Joe inside and outside the pitch, and you can see how that helps a team when you have players like that – like Harry Kane and Heung-min Son at Tottenham.”
HARD TO ARGUE
Nicolas Pepe was voted the Man of the Match for last night’s performance.
That is now 14 goals in the 2021-22 campaign for the Ivorian, Arsenal’s third-top scorer.
LJUN TO WATCH
Nicolas Pepe’s starring role against Crystal Palace last night came as no surprise to Freddie Ljungberg.
The former Arsenal coach and caretaker manager recalled to BT Sport how often the winger would perform so well in training.
He noted: “I like him. He’s awkward to play against. Has good speed. One against one he’s very, very good
“This [his goal] is what I saw in training every day and it’s what you want to see in every game.
“Of course there’s other parts of his game he needs to learn but if you can put him in these situations he’s lethal all the time.”
Credit: Getty TOP DOIG
Hibernian youngster Josh Doig has been likened to Arsenal star Kieran Tierney by former Gunners goalkeeper Matt Macey.
Brighton are strongly linked with the 19-year-old defender, who has been tipped to follow in his countryman’s footsteps and impress in the Premier League.
Macey said: “For me [comparisons to Tierney] are absolutely not unrealistic for Josh, he can go as far as he wants.
“He’s coming up to a big moment in his career, he has obviously had a lot of big moments already in terms of his age and making that breakthrough.
“He’s very level headed and he’ll take it in his stride. For me he can go right to the top. I have seen a lot of young players at Arsenal and he would be right up there, for sure.
“Kieran and Josh obviously play the same position and I can see the similarities in their playing style. Josh is maybe a little bit younger than when KT made his move to Arsenal, but he can go on and do well.”
SAKA CONCERN
Martin Keown was concerned that Bukayo Saka had picked up a knock after being substituted last night.
In the 64th minute, Mikel Arteta replaced the England star to leave the ex-player and pundit confused on BT Sport.
He said: “One assumes that Saka must have an injury, or some sort of a problem.”
Credit: Getty ROMAN EMPEROR
Roman Abramovich has reportedly told Chelsea not to make the same ‘mistake’ as Arsenal and Tottenham.
The Blues owner is said by the Telegraph to be worried by the prospect of his side celebrating merely qualifying for the Champions League, as they do in North London.
And Abramovich is hoping to turn Thomas Tuchel’s third-placed team into a title-winning force next season.
PEP’D UP
Mikel Arteta heaped praise on Nicolas Pepe after his two-goal performance at Selhurst Park.
The boss said: “It’s my feeling and it’s everybody’s feeling in the coaching staff, and his own feeling that he’s come a long way this season.”
“He hasn’t had the consistency sometimes in the gametime, but I think in Europe he’s been terrific and in the Premier League he’s started to show much more what he’s like, and he’s very hungry.
“I think he’s changed a lot in his mentality and his willingness to do much more.”
BY ROYAL APPOINTMENT
Arsenal are reportedly in the hunt for Real Betis full-back Emerson Royal.
The 22-year-old is coming to the end of a two-year spell with the club, who have an agreement with Barcelona for a £5million summer switch.
But, should the Brazilian not want to play second fiddle to Sergino Dest at the Camp Nou, Sport name a number of clubs chasing his signature.
Arsenal, Everton, Villarreal, AC Milan and more are said to be monitoring the situation, with the Gunners potentially seeking a replacement for Hector Bellerin.
Credit: Getty CONTE’S COMMANDS
Antonio Conte will set out his demands for the summer in a meeting with Inter Milan club president Steven Zhang today.
Romelu Lukaku, Nico Barella and Lautaro Martinez are the players he will describe as indispensable, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
That could spark a bidding war for Achraf Hakimi, who has interested Chelsea and Arsenal in recent months, amid the club’s financial woe.
I’LL BE XHAK
Granit Xhaka has outlined his intention to play for Arsenal next season.
The midfielder’s contract runs for another two years and he wants to see it out despite Mikel Arteta planning to cash in on several players this summer.
He told RP Online: “There are always rumours at the end of the season, that’s for sure.
“But I still have a two-year contract in London and I am very happy with my family here.
“First of all, I’m looking at a successful Euro 2020 with the national team.”
Credit: Getty HELLO JOE
Newcastle fans made their wish clear after another goalscoring performance from Arsenal loanee Joe Willock.
Now the youngest player to net in six consecutive Premier League matches, the midfielder was met with chants of ‘Joe Willock, we want you to stay’.
And Willock did not dismiss the notion when quizzed by Sky Sports following the Toon’s win over Sheffield United.
He said: “I’m not sure. I need need to have a conversation and see what the best move for me is.
“I’ve made friends for life and made a really big connection with the fans.
“It’s one of my options and I am going to consider it.”
Credit: Guardian News & Media / Free to use by all titles in perpetuity under NMC agreement MART TO ART
Gabriel Martinelli has admitted to being frustrated by Mikel Arteta’s team selection.
After scoring the win at Crystal Palace, the striker opened up on regularly being left out of the starting XI.
He told BT Sport: “I am always ready. When Mikel needs me, I will be there and come on and score a goal.
“It’s not easy [not starting] but as I said I am always ready when Mikel needs me I will be there.”
RISE AND SHINE
How good a feeling is it after this performance?
GOOD MORNING ARSENAL FANS
Arsenal kept their Europa Conference League qualification hopes alive following a dramatic 3-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Nicolas Pepe opened the scoring five minutes before half-time and Christian Benteke equalised in the second half.
It looked like the Gunners were going to drop some more Premier League points, but Gabriel Martinelli put them back ahead in the first minute of stoppage time before Pepe sealed the win for the visitors soon after.
The north Londoners have endured a difficult season, which saw fans clashing with majority shareholder Stan Kroenke following the European Super League fiasco.
That led to Spotify co-owner Daniel Ek making a bid to buy the club with the support of Invincible legends Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Patrick Vieira.
But Ek stated recently that Arsenal’s hierarchy have turned down his initial offer.
He said: “Inaccurate reports emerged today saying I have not made a bid for Arsenal football club.
“I think it’s important to correct the record. This week, an offer was made to both [Director] Josh Kroenke and their bankers that included fan ownership, representation at the board and a golden share for the supporters.
“They replied that they don’t need the money. I respect their decision but remain interested and available should that situation ever change.”
Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is already looking ahead for next season and is considering some transfer options.
Rennes star Eduardo Camavinga is among his top targets, but the Gunners have “no chance” of signing him in the summer transfer window.
That is according to The Athletic as Camavinga has been linked with a host of Europe’s top hitters, such as Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and Real Madrid.
The midfielder has impressed in Ligue 1 this season and Arteta sees him as the perfect partner for Thomas Partey at centre-half.
However, it seems like the 18-year-old Frenchman may be heading somewhere else.
Sheffield United star Sander Berge is also another target and the north Londoners have reportedly made an initial £17.2million bid for the midfielder.
Arsenal have joined Liverpool and Tottenham in the bidding war over Berge, who has stood out at Bramall Lane ever since his move from Genk last year.
The 23-year-old may also be keen to move to the Emirates if his Norway team-mate Martin Odegaard stays put in the summer.
Berge appears to be leaning towards Arsenal over the Reds and north London rivals Spurs.
ODE TO ROY
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson coached his very last Premier League match at Selhurst Park as he will be leaving top-flight football at the end of the season.
Hodgson saw Palace lose 3-1 to Arsenal following two late goals on stoppage time by Gabriel Martinelli and Nicolas Pepe.
However, the 73-year-old took the mic after full-time and shared some emotional words with the home crowd one last time.
Here’s what he had to say:
ARTETA REACTS
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta had a few words to say after the Gunners’ dramatic 3-1 win over Crystal Palace.
Arteta said: “It was a crucial moment for us because we wanted to go into the final day with every chance of going into Europe.
“If somebody told us in November, December that we would have the chance to qualify for Europe in the last game, I would have said ‘you are crazy’.
“It was touching just being in the dressing room before, listening to them [fans] singing creating an atmosphere. I’m sure they [Arsenal fans] will turn up, support the team and we need to create again that strong connection with the fans”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
