ARSENAL have received a big boost in defence with Ben White reportedly keen to join the club in a £40m deal.
Meanwhile, SunSport can exclusively reveal Arsenal are interested in signing Aaron Ramsdale this summer.
While reports suggest James Maddison is a shock target now Martin Odegaard appears destined to remain at Real Madrid.
Follow all the latest from North London with our live blog below…
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THREE GAMES MOVED
As well as the Brentford fixture, Arsenal’s Premier League games against Chelsea and Manchester City have also been moved for TV coverage.
The Gunners will now host Chelsea on Sunday, August 22 at 4:30pm.
And their trip to Manchester City on Saturday, August 28 will now kick-off at 12:30pm.
SAMBI LOKONGA LATEST
Atalanta are rivalling Arsenal in the hunt for Anderlecht ace Albert Sambi Lokonga.
According to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, the Serie A club have joined Napoli in the summer battle.
The Gunners have reportedly already launched a £13million bid.
Credit: Getty BRENTFORD GAME TELEVISED
Arsenal’s opening Premier League match of the season – away to Brentford – will be shown live on Sky Sports.
It’s also been moved forward to Friday, August 13 – meaning it’ll be the first Prem game of the new term.
The match is set to kick-off at 8pm.
AUBA’S BEST GOALS
It’s also Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s birthday!
The Arsenal captain turns 32 today.
He’s scored 85 goals for the Gunners since he joined the club three-and-a-half years ago.
Will he reach his century in the new Premier League season?
Here are his best goals…
BEST OF MARTINELLI
It’s Gabriel Martinelli’s 20th birthday today!
Here are his best goals in an Arsenal shirt…
EXCLUSIVE – AOU ABOUT THAT?
Arsenal are ready to launch another attempt to sign Lyon’s Houssem Aouar.
The Gunners were priced out of a move for the 22-year-old Frenchman last summer – with Lyon demanding up to £55m.
However, the Ligue 1 club’s failure to qualify for the Champions League means Aouar will cost as little as £20m – a figure well within the North London club’s price range.
And SunSport understands that Arsenal are readying a contract worth £100k-a-week to lure the midfielder to the Emirates at the second time of asking.
Aouar chipped in with eight goals and four assists last season for Lyon, and has been on the radar of several Premier League sides, including Liverpool.
However, Arsenal are currently leading the race as they look to bolster their creative attacking options ahead of the new season.
CAPITAL CLASH
London rivals Chelsea and Arsenal are ready to fight for Real Sociedad striker Alexander Isak.
The Sweden star can be signed for his £60million release clause.
And Spanish outlet AS claim the duo, along with Liverpool, are seriously keen.
TEEN NO MORE
Joining Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in celebrating a big birthday is Gabriel Martinelli.
Many happy returns to the Brazilian, who turns 20 today.
MEGA MILLIONS
Arsenal will apparently splash out up to £250million in the summer transfer market.
Mikel Arteta’s side missed out on Europe and have suffered major financial losses yet are predicted by 90Min to rebuild the squad with some serious financial muscle.
Owner Stan Kroenke is reportedly pivotal to underwriting this spree, which will also see several players leave.
EXCLUSIVE
John Collins believes that Kieran Tierney is ‘imperative’ to how Scotland want to play.
The defender is set to feature against England at Wembley tonight, having missed his side’s Euro 2020 opener against the Czech Republic on Monday.
Collins explained to SunSport: “Well there’s so many things Kieran can bring.
“First and foremost playing on that left-side in the three, he’s an excellent defender. Very few players dribble past him because he’s a good defender.
“He’s very quick, good speed, so that’s a bonus, we’re going to need speed at the back because they’ve got some quick players in their team.”
Read the full interview with SunSport’s Tartan Army authority Etienne Fermie here.
ROWE BACK
Real Madrid enquired about signing Emile Smith Rowe when discussing Martin Odegaard’s potential permanent move to Arsenal.
CBS Sports claim the English midfielder was raised as a potential part-exchange component following Odegaards’ loan spell in North London.
But the Gunners pulled out of the talks and are now focusing their attention elsewhere.
DEA-DAY
Atalanta are rivalling Arsenal in the hunt for Anderlecht ace Albert Sambi Lokonga.
According to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, the Serie A club have joined Napoli in the summer battle.
The Gunners have reportedly already launched a £13million bid.
Credit: Getty ODE TO MARTIN
Eddie Nketiah has praised Martin Odegaard as the Norwegian heads back to Real Madrid.
Arsenal have given up hope of signing the playmaker following his loan spell, which impressed many including Nketiah.
The striker told Soccer AM: “He is a good player.
“He is very comfortable on the ball, technically very good. He is a very good passer of the ball.”
WHITE HOT
Ben White is keen to join Arsenal this summer, according to reports.
The Gunners saw an opening bid worth around £40million rejected, but talks continue.
According to Goal, Arsenal believe they have a good chance of landing the England international before the transfer window shuts.
It is believed that a bid in the region of £50m will be enough to tempt Brighton to sell.
White is keen to join the Gunners, telling friends that he expects to make the move to the capital this summer.
Football Insider have also revealed that the 23-year-old has already began house hunting in the expectation that the move will go through.
Credit: Getty WHERE THERE’S A WILL…
Leah Williamson wants to leave a legacy behind while playing for childhood team Arsenal.
The 24-year-old came through the club academy and has won a WSL title and two Women’s FA Cups, with more silverware on her mind.
She told the club website: “I want to leave behind a legacy. Emma Byrne, Kelly Smith, Rachel Yankey, Faye White…
“All these players that gave their footballing careers in England to this club and there’s a reason you all did that and it’s because of the success the club had and how much you all love it.
“I say it’s a fairytale that I’m still here, I have won trophies and we’ve continued to compete for trophies, that’s really important to me and I think that I owe the club as well for everything they’ve given to me, and it’s time for me to give back to them.”
MADD PRICE
James Maddison will cost Arsenal £60million – if they are serious about the Leicester star.
A central playmaker is top of Mikel Arteta’s priorities after Martin Odegaard returned to Real Madrid.
And football.london claim Maddison stands as the club’s No1 target.
But Leicester will not roll over in negotiations having fought off interest from Manchester United last summer.
Credit: Andy Hooper-The Daily Mail HAK’D OFF
Arsenal target Hakan Calhanoglu is set to be offered a REDUCED deal by AC Milan.
A lacklustre Euro 2020 performance with Turkey has left the out-of-contract midfielder’s options limited, as reported by Tuttosport.
The Rossoneri’s new offer is said to be weighted towards performance related bonuses rather than a high basic salary.
CAPTAIN FANTASTIC
Many happy returns to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who turns 32 today.
SHARPENED BLADES
Sheffield United have reportedly ‘frustrated’ Arsenal with their valuation of Aaron Ramsdale.
The goalkeeper was the subject of a £20million offer from the Gunners following United’s relegation to the Championship.
But, according to Sheffield Star, the Blades want £35m for the England shot-stopper.
Credit: AFP WHO’S IN ACTION TODAY?
Kieran Tierney is set to be fit to make his European Championship debut for Scotland tonight.
The left-back missed the defeat to the Czech Republic but has recovered in time to face England.
Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka also did not play in the opening round of matches and is fighting Jadon Sancho for a spot on the bench in tonight’s clash.
GOOD MORNING GUNNERS FANS
Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi has agreed personal terms with French side Marseille, according to reports.
The 22-year-old has not played for the Gunners since June 2020 and spent last term on loan at Bundesliga club Hertha Berlin.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Guendouzi has agreed a deal with Marseille.
The Ligue 1 team are now believed to be discussing a fee with Arsenal for the Frenchman.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are set to fail in their pursuit of a permanent deal for Martin Odegaard.
The Athletic claims there is no chance the Norwegian will stay at the Emirates after his loan came to an end this month.
Carlo Ancelotti is back at Real Madrid after leaving Everton and plans on giving Odegaard a go in his team.
But it could mean there’s a reprieve for Joe Willock, who impressed while on loan at Newcastle.
Finally, Arsenal will battle Spurs for Brighton right-back Tariq Lamptey.
The Mail claims he has emerged as a potential replacement for Hector Bellerin, who is expected to leave this summer.
Brighton are believed to want £50million for the ex-Chelsea youngster.
But Arsenal must first fight off Spurs before striking a deal with the Seagulls.
ANDRE 3000
Arsenal are reportedly in contact with Andre Onana’s agent over a summer move from Ajax.
Fabrizio Romano confirmed: “They are in touch with the agent.
“They like the player, he’s a serious opportunity but it’s not advanced or closed yet so now Arsenal will talk with people close to Onana, with his agent, to understand the situation.
“But, it’s not done yet.”
LIKE IT OR LAMP IT
Arsenal will battle Spurs for Brighton right-back Tariq Lamptey.
The Mail claims he has emerged as a potential replacement for Hector Bellerin, who is expected to leave this summer.
Brighton are believed to want £50million for the ex-Chelsea youngster.
But Arsenal must first fight off Spurs before striking a deal with the Seagulls.
ROWE YOUR BOAT
Arsenal have rejected a £25million bid from Aston Villa for Emile Smith Rowe.
Dean Smith launched the audacious offer despite having wrapped up a deal for Norwich playmaker Emi Buendia.
But Arsenal are huge fans of Smith Rowe and are ready to hand him a new contract after an impressive season.
BRIGHT IDEA
Brighton have rejected a £40million bid from Arsenal for star man Ben White.
Sky Sports claims Mikel Arteta wants the England international to replace David Luiz in defence.
However, Brighton value White at £50m after his call-up to the Euros.
And Arsenal are expected to return with an improved offer.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
