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    Delighted Arsenal fans say ‘we are acting like a big club again’ as transfer plan for wonderkid revealed

    ARSENAL fans are delighted to learn of the club’s long-term plan for Charlie Patino.The promising youngster spent the season on loan at Blackpool in the Championship.
    Charlie Patino wants to leave Arsenal on a permanent basisCredit: Getty
    Arsenal want to loan Patino out again but he is now believed to be keen on a permanent move to further his development.
    However the Gunners are planning to include a buyback clause in any deal that will see the midfielder sold, according to Fabrizio Romano.
    Arsenal fans are glad such an option will be included as it gives the Gunners an opportunity to bring him back to the Emirates if he performs well elsewhere.
    Some fans believe the plan is evidence Arsenal are acting like a big club in the transfer market once again.
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    One supporter wrote: “Moving like a proper club 🤝🏼”
    Another added: “We are acting like a big club again.”
    A third said: “Best thing ever….please if we’re going to let him go let there be buy back clause.”
    Another commented: “Good luck to the lad and happy to see lessons are being learnt in terms of covering our backs and planning.”
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    Patino made his senior debut for Arsenal in a League Cup victory over Sunderland in December 2021.
    He then made his first start in a FA Cup defeat to Nottingham Forest in January 2022.
    Patino has played 37 times for Blackpool in all competitions this season, scoring three goals and assisting a further four. More

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    Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli cruelly denied chance to break Roberto Firmino’s five-year record after injury

    ARSENAL star Gabriel Martinelli’s injury means he won’t break Roberto Firmino’s record for the most goals scored by a Brazilian in a Premier League campaign.The winger, 21, had already equalled the record of 15 in a season that was set by Firmino in the 2017/18 season.
    Gabriel Martinelli was having a fine season, but will miss Arsenal’s final two remaining games.Credit: Getty
    Roberto Firmino will leave Liverpool at the end of the season and is reportedly a target of Barcelona.Credit: Getty
    But an ankle injury inflicted on Martinelli by Arsenal target Moises Caicedo has ruled the Brazilian out for the rest of the season.
    He had already equalled the record with a goal against Southampton during Arsenal’s 3-3 draw with Southampton back in March.
    Martinelli was embroiled in controversy during Sunday’s 3-0 defeat to Brighton.
    Minutes prior to his injury, the forward was lucky not to see red for an elbow on Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma.
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    And many have speculated that Caicedo’s tackle just minutes later was ‘revenge’ for the winger’s elbow on Mitoma.
    The Arsenal winger was seen leaving the stadium in a protective boot.
    With upcoming games against relegation threatened Nottingham Forest and a safe Wolves side, many thought Martinelli would go on to break the record held by Firmino since 2018.
    The Liverpool forward, 31, is on a farewell tour after the club announced they would not renew his contract.
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    He will be joined in leaving Liverpool by James Milner, Naby Keita, and, former Gunner Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
    Jurgen Klopp said he hopes the forward will be fit for Saturday’s clash against Aston Villa in order to give him a proper farewell.
    Speaking on Monday night, Klopp said: “In the middle of everything, we have to win the game,
    “But around that, we want to show the respect and appreciation and love we feel for not only Bobby but all the boys who will leave in the summer. It will be a special day with a difficult game in between.”
    Barcelona are the current front-runners to sign Firmino on a free transfer. More

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    Arsenal fighting to keep hold of William Saliba as three ‘major’ clubs enquire about summer transfer

    ARSENAL could face a fight to keep hold of William Saliba this summer, with three ‘major’ clubs reportedly enquiring for his signature.The French international is out of contract at the Emirates at the end of next season.
    William Saliba is reportedly attracting interest from three “major” clubsCredit: Getty
    Saliba, 24, had been a major part of Arsenal’s title charge this year, helping the team to a total of 11 clean sheets in his 27 Premier League appearances.
    But, after picking up a back injury in Arsenal’s Europa League round of 16 second leg loss to Sporting in March, the centre-back was ruled out for the season.
    And according to French source RMC Sport, three unnamed “major” clubs have enquired about Saliba’s signature.
    Arsenal are keen not to let Saliba go without a fight however, with Gunners boss Mikel Arteta approving plans to offer the Frenchman a new deal.
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    The Gunners sat eight points clear at the top of the table when Saliba suffered a fracture to his back but have since been hunted down by a ruthless Manchester City.
    They have kept just one clean sheet in nine games since Saliba was sidelined, with costly draws to Liverpool, West Ham and Southampton costing them in the title race.
    They have since been thrashed by title-rivals Manchester City and Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton as the Gunners’ title challenge has gone up in smoke.
    Arsenal will look to bounce back from Sunday’s 3-0 defeat to Brighton against relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest this Saturday.
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    Arteta aimed to keep spirits up ahead of the clash, telling Sky Sports: “Mathematically it’s still possible.
    “We need to digest the result and the performance in the second half, understand why and have a different reaction (against Forest)”
    The Gunners will aim to keep their feint title hopes alive at The City Ground this Saturday. More

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    Arsenal and Man Utd dealt transfer blow as ‘Bayern Munich enter race for top target Declan Rice’

    ARSENAL and Manchester United have been dealt a blow with Bayern Munich reportedly entering the race for Declan Rice.The West Ham captain, 24, could leave the London Stadium this summer.
    Declan Rice is a reported transfer target for Bayern MunichCredit: PA
    The Gunners and the Red Devils have been long-term admirers of Rice, with the Emirates side once the favourites to land him in a club-record transfer.
    However, it is understood Thomas Tuchel is weighing up a move for the Hammers ace.
    Bild state Tuchel and sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic are working on a plan to overhaul the Bayern squad this summer.
    And they identified Rice as a suitable option in holding midfield.
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    He would be a like-for-like replacement for experienced star Joshua Kimmich, who has been linked with a transfer to Barcelona.
    Tuchel came up against Rice during his time as Chelsea boss and believes he has the quality to slot into the Bavarians’ team chasing the Champions League trophy.
    And a possible transfer could see England’s first-choice midfield pairing of Rice and Jude Bellingham both playing in the Bundesliga – although the latter may head to Real Madrid or Manchester City.
    However, the report adds the transfer fee could prove a sticking point for Bayern.
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    West Ham continue to demand £100million for their academy graduate, despite his current contract expiring in 2024.
    Bayern’s record transfer fee is the £68m they paid for Lucas Hernandez.
    And that could prove a boost for the Premier League sides still keen on landing Rice, especially if they can offer Champions League football.
    Hammers boss David Moyes admitted last week there is a “good chance” his influential skipper could leave the club at the end of this season – with James Ward-Prowse lined up as a possible replacement.
    Moyes said: “We would love Declan to be a West Ham player but we are aware that may not be the case come the end of the season.
    “That is one of the scenarios when it comes to planning.
    “There are plans that we have Dec here but we are fully aware that there is a good chance we won’t have him.” More

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    Arsenal transfer boost as West Ham line up England star as Declan Rice replacement

    WEST HAM are targeting a move for James Ward-Prowse as they prepare for life after Declan Rice, according to reports.Rice is Arsenal’s key target as they aim to bolster their midfield this summer.
    West Ham are interested in signing Southampton star James Ward-ProwseCredit: Getty
    Declan Rice could leave West Ham in a £120m switch this summerCredit: PA
    The Hammers skipper will have one year remaining on his contract come the end of the season, although the East Londoners possess an option to extend it by a further 12 months.
    According to the Standard, West Ham are aiming to profit on Southampton’s relegation by prising away their captain Ward-Prowse.
    They add that boss David Moyes is a huge fan of the 28-year-old set piece specialist.
    West Ham, who are becoming more resigned to losing Rice in a megabucks deal, want a big name replacement for their homegrown star.
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    They will target more than one midfielder, understanding that filling the hole vacated by Rice will be a difficult job.
    The Hammers considered a swoop for Ward-Prowse last summer, only to pounce for Flynn Downes instead.
    Ward-Prowse has managed to score eight goals in 36 Prem appearances this term, despite his side’s abject showing.
    The Portsmouth-born ace joined Saints aged eight and has made 407 outings for them in total.
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    He has also earned 11 England caps under Gareth Southgate.
    Moyes, 60, last week admitted that the Hammers could lose £120million-rated Rice this summer.
    He said: “We honestly hope Dec stays, that is the biggest thing.
    “We would love him to be a West Ham player but we are aware that might not be the case. That is one of the scenarios.
    “Our plans are to have Dec here but we are also fully aware there is a good chance that we don’t have him.”
    In addition to Arsenal, Rice has also been linked with the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United.
    The Gunners are set to have a vacancy in midfield, with Granit Xhaka on the verge of joining Bayer Leverkusen this summer.
    Granit Xhaka is set to leave Arsenal this summerCredit: Getty More

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    Arsenal set to land multi-million pound windfall as Napoli line up Gunners flop to replace Man Utd target Min-jae

    ARSENAL could be set to make millions if Manchester United manage to land Napoli’s Kim Min-jae.The Red Devils are in hot pursuit of the defender and reports this week have suggested they are within touching distance of landing him.
    Kim has been rock solid in Napoli’s title-winning season after his 2022 move from FenerbahceCredit: Getty
    And any move could have the knock-on effect of giving Arsenal a boost to their transfer kitty.
    This is because Napoli are likely to go into the market to sign a replacement and they have been linked to a player Gunners fans will know well.
    The Italian side are believed to be poised to sign Dinos Mavropanos, who was at Arsenal for four years.
    But when he left in 2022 for Stuttgart, wily Arsenal negotiators added a sell-on clause into his contract, according to Londonworld.
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    This means that Arsenal could made a tidy profit from any sale that Stuttgart make.
    Mavropanos only made eight appearances in all competitions for the Gunners during his entire time at the club.
    He has already surpassed that total since joining Stuttgart permanently, having spent the previous two seasons on loan at the club.
    The German side sit second-bottom of the Bundesliga table with just two games to save themselves from relegation.
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    In contrast Napoli have been flying all season and won Serie A at a canter.
    They will now be gearing up for a summer of trying to hang onto their biggest stars.
    Along with Kim, the likes of Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia have been linked away from Gil Azzurri.
    Kim has appeared in all but two of Napoli’s league games this season and the 26-year-old has been outstanding since signing last summer. More

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    Arsenal fans beg ‘bring him to the Emirates’ as they are linked with shock transfer for Man City star to replace Xhaka

    ARSENAL have been linked with a shock replacement for outgoing midfielder Granit Xhaka.As SunSport reported earlier this month, Xhaka is expected to join German side Bayer Leverkusen this summer.
    Granit Xhaka is expected to leave Arsenal this summerCredit: Getty
    Ilkay Gundogan is a reported target for the GunnersCredit: Reuters
    And Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan is a potential replacement, according to German outlet Bild.
    Etihad ace Gundogan, 32, is out of contract at the end of the campaign.
    Pep Guardiola has publicly said he wants the midfielder to stay, but his future remains up in the air.
    Bild claim Gundogan wants longer than a one-year deal, with Barcelona thought to be keen.
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    However, the reports states Arsenal have also emerged as potential suitors.
    Gunners boss Mikel Arteta previously worked with Gundogan when he was assistant coach at City.
    And some Arsenal fans seemed to be keen on the idea of poaching another City star, with Joao Cancelo another possible signing.
    Responding to the rumours, one wrote on Twitter: “Bring him to the Emirates.”
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    Another said: “We will give him a 3 year deal at Arsenal.”
    A third joked: “Man City is our feeder club now. Things u love to see.”
    And a fourth wrote: “Make it happen Mikel.”
    Xhaka is expected pen a four-year with Leverkusen after the two teams agreed a deal in the region of £15million.
    He has made 295 appearances for the Gunners since joining from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2016. More

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    Arsenal preparing shock move for Joao Cancelo from Man City and ‘confident’ of club-record £92MILLION Declan Rice deal

    ARSENAL are reportedly preparing a shock move for Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo – as well as a summer swoop for Declan Rice.The Portuguese defender was deemed to be surplus to requirements by City boss Pep Guardiola in January and farmed out to Bayern Munich on loan.
    Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Joao Cancelo in the summerCredit: Getty
    Cancelo has been frozen out by Pep Guardiola and former City No.2 Mikel Arteta is keen to bring him to ArsenalCredit: GETTY
    Arteta is also confident of bringing Declan Rice to the Emirates this summerCredit: GETTY
    And Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is hoping to bolster his squad this summer with the acquisition of the out-of-favour wing-back.
    That’s according to The Daily Telegraph, who claim the north Londoners have been alerted to his potential availability by his failure to impress new Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel.
    Although Arsenal are keen on Cancelo, they’re concerned City won’t sell him to them.
    That’s on account of the fact Arteta’s troops have virtually taken the defending Premier League champions right down to the wire in a thrilling title race this season.
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    And selling the 28-year-old to the Gunners would only serve to boost their rival’s chances of winning their first league title in 20 years.
    The Arsenal brass – who convinced City to sell them Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus last summer – believe the Citizens will be “reluctant” to let them snap up Portugal international Cancelo.
    Should City play hardball, the Gunners will reportedly revisit a move for Valladolid’s Ivan Fresneda.
    The Spaniard will prove to be a much cheaper alternative to Cancelo should Valladolid be relegated from La Liga.
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    Arsenal may have fears around a move for Cancelo, but the same can’t be said for their pursuit of Declan Rice.
    Arteta and sporting director Edu have made signing the West Ham and England midfielder their top priority this summer.
    And they’ve even cleared the way for his arrival by allowing Granit Xhaka to leave the club.
    It’s claimed the Arsenal brass are working on a club-record £92million deal for the 24-year-old.

    West Ham – who will also field interest from Manchester United for Rice’s services in the summer – are understood to want the bulk of any fee upfront.
    Despite United’s interest in Rice, the Gunners are said to be “confident” of luring the in-demand midfielder across London to the Emirates.
    Arsenal are currently working on a £92million deal for Declan RiceCredit: Getty
    Arsenal’s bid to win their first league title in nearly 20 years has collapsed over the last six weeks thanks to three draws and two defeats in their last seven matches.
    And Arteta issued a grovelling apology to the Emirates faithful for their poor run of form after last weekend’s hammering by Brighton.
    He told Sky Sports: “A week ago I was standing here feeling proud and today we have to apologise for the performance in the second half. It was not acceptable.
    “Mathematically, [the title] it’s still possible, but today it’s impossible to think about it.
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    “We need to digest the result and the performance in the second half, understand why and have a different reaction.”
    Arsenal will be back in action on Saturday, travelling to the City Ground to take on relegation battlers Nottingham Forest. More