Arsenal to ‘MISS OUT on Odegaard’ transfer, Zeki Celik linked, Buendia £30m swoop, Onana wants to join Gunners

BACK LINE

EXCLUSIVE – England should follow Chelsea’s blueprint for European glory as they look to cope with the absence of Harry Maguire, says Arsenal legend Martin Keown.

He said: “Maguire is a huge loss for England because he’s very dominant in the air, he’s never ruffled in possession and he has that quality on  the ball that you need at international level.

“But if he’s not going to be fit then we are better off  playing with a back three because I can barely  remember a time when the back-up central defenders had so few international caps.

“Gareth was looking to get more creative players into the team higher up the pitch, which is better suited to 4-3-3.

“But now we should look at what Tuchel has done at Chelsea and ask if it is something which England can copy?

“There are three Chelsea players in the squad who are used to playing that way and I don’t think we’d go far wrong going into a tournament  playing like that.

“I’m not saying that guys like Conor Coady and Tyrone Mings aren’t good enough. I think they lack international experience so a back four is a problem for England.”

GUNNER BLOW

Aston Villa have reportedly moved ahead of Arsenal in the race to sign Norwich playmaker Emiliano Buendia.

It had been believed that the Gunners were in pole position to bring the Argentine ace to the Emirates.

But Goal journalist Charles Watts has stated that Villa are closer to securing his services.

He tweeted: “Understand Aston Villa have moved ahead in the pursuit of Emi Buendia.

“They are closer to meeting Norwich’s demands.”

Norwich are understood to be seeking close to £40million for the 24-year-old.

SAKA UPDATE

Arsenal ace Bukayo Saka has been training on his own ahead of tomorrow’s friendly match with Romania.

England have stated that the reason behind it is to “manage load”.

Manchester United ace Harry Maguire has also been training alone due to his recent ankle injury.

Tottenham superstar Harry Kane has also been doing the same by undergoing a different fitness routine indoors

ARSENAL RELEASES

Arsenal have shared a list of released players whose contracts have run out.

Dani Ceballos, David Luiz, Leonie Maier, Martin Odegaard and Mat Ryan have all left the club.

Ceballos and Odegaard have returned to Real Madrid, who loaned them out to the Gunners.

The north Londoners are still trying to sign Odegaard on a permanent deal

OD OF DAYS

Arsenal have given up hope of retaining Martin Odegaard’s services for next season.

Odegaard joined the Gunners in January on loan from Real Madrid and impressed manager Mikel Arteta.

According to The Times, the north Londoners don’t expect to keep the Norway international and thus have turned their attentions to Norwich star Emi Buendia.

Bundia appears to be their top target for the soon-to-be empty No10 position

GUNNER FALL

Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit has slammed the Gunners’ recent transfer policy after they failed to qualify for Europe for the first time in 25 years.

Petit told SunSport: “I don’t recognise the club anymore. I don’t see the Arsenal blood on the pitch.

“It’s not the question of money because Arsenal have the power to put £70million on a player if they want to.

“It’s a question of profile – who do you want for your teams in terms of character and quality?

“What are Arsenal doing in the transfer market? I don’t understand it. They spend money – a lot of money sometimes – but on the wrong player”

ROMANO UPDATE

Ajax star Andre Onana wants to join Arsenal in the summer transfer window.

That is according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who claims the Gunners are waiting on the court’s decision regarding Onana’s recent suspension.

Romano told The Arsenal Lounge: “Onana is absolutely open to joining Arsenal, but it’s not a done deal yet.

“They need to wait about the situation of the ban or the suspension, they are waiting for the court to see what’s happening with Onana, how many months he will be out”

GUEND OF STORY

Arsenal are reportedly set to extend Matteo Guendouzi’s contract by one year.

According to Le 10 Sport, the Gunners have made that decision in order to drive Guendouzi’s price up.

The midfielder’s deal at the Emirates runs out next year and the north Londoners are in talks with Marseille over a potential transfer.

However, L’OM have yet to meet Arsenal’s demands as they are reportedly trying to take advantage of the fact that the Frenchman will be a free agent next year

ZEK IT OUT

Lille ace Zeki Celik has been linked with a move to Arsenal after a title-winning campaign in France.

Celik played quite a role in his team’s shock Ligue 1 triumph as he amassed 29 appearances in the league.

However, the right-back has also attracted interest from Manchester United and Tottenham.

The £13m-rated Turkey international would be a potential replacement for Hector Bellerin, who seems set to leave the club

KOL-ING IT

Sead Kolasinac won’t be staying at Schalke and is thus ready to return to Arsenal.

Kolasinac joined the German side in January on loan from the Gunners after falling down the pecking order at the Emirates.

The right-back was expected to stay at the Gelsenkirchen but the club’s relegation led to different plans.

The Bosnia & Herzegovina international, though, is still likely to be sold as Arsenal are looking to raise funds for new transfers

AGUERO REVELEATION

Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero’s father revealed that his son held talks with Arsenal and Chelsea before his move to Barcelona.

Aguero’s dad told Radio La Red: “He is happy right now after signing for Barcelona. I see him happy.

“But he didn’t know what was going to happen with his future. There were several clubs interested in signing him.

“Arsenal were interested in him and Chelsea to the last minute. If he didn’t stay in England, it was going to be Italy or Spain.

“He’s been friends with Lionel Messi since they were 15 and they’ve always talked. It looks like Messi is going to stay at Barcelona so they’re going to play together”

PFA TOTY

Let’s revisit the PFA Premier League Team of the Year:

As you can see, no Arsenal players made the cut after a turbulent season which saw them missing out on Europe for the first time in 25 years.

Six Manchester City players are included and are joined by two Manchester United aces.

The line-up is completed with two representatives from Tottenham and one from Liverpool

WILL-ING AND ABLE

Arsenal appear to be the favourites to sign Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha in the summer.

According to The Times, Zaha has told Palace that he wishes to leave after a total of 10 years at the club, across two stints.

The Gunners are in the mix once more for the the talented winger.

The same goes for the likes of Tottenham and Borussia Dortmund

YANG BLOOD

Arsenal are willing to listen to offers for star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

According to the Daily Telegraph, the Gunners could be open to let Aubameyang go following a turbulent season.

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel revealed that he is still in touch with the Gabon international.

Former Blues manager Frank Lampard tried to sign the 31-year-old last summer but there is no indication Tuchel is seeking for a reunion with his former Borussia Dortmund talisman

STERLING UPDATE

Arsenal are leading the race to sign Manchester City star Raheem Sterling in the summer.

SunSport revealed that City manager Pep Guardiola is willing to sell players in order to raise funds for Tottenham superstar Harry Kane, whom he sees as Sergio Aguero’s replacement in attack.

Guardiola is also keen on swapping the likes of Sterling and Gabriel Jesus to sweeten the deal.

However, the England international’s wage demands pose as an obstacle for Spurs.

Whereas the Gunners have proven in recent years that they can meet those demands; already paying Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang well over £300,000 per week, while previously paying Mesut Ozil £350,000 weekly

KOUNDE RACE

Arsenal have been joined by Barcelona and Real Madrid in the transfer race for highly-rated Sevilla star Jules Kounde.

Kounde has also been linked with Premier League sides Chelsea and Manchester United in recent months.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Barca have been monitoring the star centre-back for two years.

Real are also thought to be keeping a close eye on the France international as they may have to replace Raphael Varane

LUIZ CANNON

Arsenal have confirmed that David Luiz has left the club after running down his contract at the Emirates.

Luiz joined the Gunners from Chelsea in August 2019 for £8million and made a total of 73 appearances across all competitions.

Meanwhile, Martin Odegaard and Dani Ceballos have returned to Real Madrid where Carlo Ancelotti has taken over as manager.

Odegaard and Ceballos spent this past season on loan at Arsenal from Real

MAZRAOUI INTEREST

Arsenal are keeping tabs on Ajax ace Noussair Mazraoui amid the summer transfer window.

According to Estadio Deportivo, Mazraoui could be available for a bargain fee of just £9million.

The Gunners are looking for someone to replace Hector Bellerin at right-back as the Spaniard is expected to leave.

Mazraoui made 26 appearances across all competitions for the Eredivisie champions this season

EM-INENT IMPACT

Arsenal have made a £30million-plus offer for Norwich star Emi Buendia, who is certain to leave Carrow Road in the summer.

SunSport have exclusively revealed that the Gunners are moving for Buendia.

However, the north Londoners are set to get into a bidding war with Aston Villa for the 24-year-old playmaker.

Norwich rate the Argentina international at £40m and are expected to play hard ball

MORNING ARSENAL FANS

Arsenal may listen to offers for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang this summer and are favourites to sign Crystal Palace attacker Wilfried Zaha.

That’s the main transfer speculation involving the Gunners, following skipper Aubameyang’s disappointing season after signing a huge new contract.

Meanwhile, Tottenham and Borussia Dortmund are also reportedly in the mix for Zaha, amid claims he has asked to leave.

Sergio Aguero’s dad has revealed Arsenal and Chelsea were keen on Manchester City’s record scorer before he chose Barcelona.

And Gunners’ left-back Sead Kolasinac will NOT join Schalke permanently following his loan spell.

And Arsenal are said to have threatened to trigger an extension in Matteo Guendouzi’s contract – if Marseille don’t stump up more than £8.6million for the midfielder.

Lille defender Zeki Celik is thought to be interesting the Gunners, as well as Manchester United and Tottenham.

The £13m-rated right-back would be a potential replacement for Hector Bellerin.

FULL PREM RELEASE LIST

Big names could be on their way out this summer – after Premier League clubs revealed their released list.

Here’s our FULL GUIDE.

TRANSFER POLICY IS A PETIT CRIME

Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit has criticised the club’s recent transfer policy after they failed to qualify for Europe.

The Gunners have been on the decline during the last decade, finishing eighth in the Premier League for the second successive season.

Speaking at the launch of the Paddy Park at Flat Iron Square in London, Petit questioned Arsenal’s recent spending.

He told SunSport: “I don’t recognise this club anymore; I don’t see the Arsenal blood on the pitch.

“It’s not the question of money because Arsenal have the power to put £70m on a player if they want to.

“It’s a question of profile – who do you want for your team in terms of character and quality?

“What are Arsenal doing in the transfer market? I don’t understand it. They spend money – a lot of money sometimes – but on the wrong player.”

EX-GUNNER THEO SEALS SAINTS RETURN

Theo Walcott will join Southampton on a permanent basis following his release from Everton.

The ex-England man, 32, is among a clutch of players the Toffees will let go when their contracts expire at the end of this month, along with Yannick Bolasie and Josh King.

Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhutl was impressed with Walcott’s contribution following the forward’s loan to St Mary’s in the second half of the season.

Last month the South-Coast club revealed they had agreed in principle to sign Walcott on a two-year deal after his exit from Merseyside.

He became the youngest-ever Southampton first team player at 16 years and 143 days, after coming on as a substitute in a 0–0 Championship draw against Wolves.

Walcott won two FA Cup medals with the Gunners and was capped 47 times by England. But he has always seen Southampton as his football home.

He declared: “Southampton is a club that means so much to me, and it has been incredibly special for me to have spent this season back at St Mary’s.

“But to now have the opportunity to return for a further two years means such a great deal to me, both personally and professionally.”

SCHALKE SAC’D OFF

Sead Kolasinac will NOT sign permanently for Schalke following his loan spell with the German club.

The left-back now returns to Arsenal having been part of a side relegated from the Bundesliga.

Schalke held a £7.2million purchase clause in the deal but sporting director Peter Knabel has confirmed the player’s exit.

He said: “This decision hurts us both in sport and human terms.

“In view of the current budget and squad structure – all the known and publicly discussed challenges – there was no alternative.

“We have to be so honest. In view of the short preparation and the early start of the season, we cannot afford a week-long hang-up game either, but have to make decisions for Schalke 04 now.

“That’s why we decided on this clear cut.”

GUNNERS WANTED AGUERO

Sergio Aguero was wanted by Arsenal and Chelsea before he agreed to join Barcelona.

That is according to the striker’s father, who made the claim to Radio La Red.

Leonel del Castillo said: “There were several clubs interested in signing him. Arsenal were interested in him and Chelsea to the last minute.

“If he didn’t stay in England, it was going to be Italy or Spain.

“He is happy right now after signing for Barcelona. I see him happy.

“He’s been friends with Lionel Messi since they were 15 and they’ve always talked. It looks like Messi is going to stay at Barcelona so they’re going to play together.”