Arsenal transfer news

ARSENAL ace Emile Smith Rowe is back in training following a groin injury that has kept him out of action since September. The 22-year-old’s return comes after he had a minor setback at the beginning of the month.
Smith Rowe has been injured since September with a groin injuryCredit: Reuters
The Brighton clash will come too soon for the 22-year-oldCredit: Getty
Boss Mikel Arteta said on Smith Rowe on Friday: “He’s made big steps in the last week.
“He took part in some training sessions and looked good.
“We’re hoping to have him back soon.”
Smith Rowe will, however, sit out the New Year’s Eve visit to Brighton.
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It’s a welcome boost for the North London outfit, who in recent weeks have lost main man Gabriel Jesus through injury.
Jesus returned early from the World Cup with Brazil and underwent surgery on his right knee.
Arteta’s men are currently sat top of the Premier League after 15 games played.
The Gunners have lost just once, and won their first post-World Cup fixture 3-1 against West Ham.
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Title rivals, and defending champions Manchester City, are trailing Arsenal by five points.
And serial goal scorer Erling Haaland says City need to “hunt” Arsenal down.
Haaland said following City’s 3-1 win over Leeds: “Arsenal, we have to hunt them.
“Now we have to show who is the best team in the league.” More

FORMER Arsenal star Marc Overmars has been hospitalised after suffering a minor stroke.The Dutchman was admitted to hospital last night and is now “doing well” in recovery.
Marc Overmars has been hospitalised after suffering a minor strokeCredit: Getty
He signed for Arsenal in 1997Credit: Press Association
The former winger won the Premier League in 1997/1998Credit: Reuters
Overmars also lifted the Charity Shield during his Gunners careerCredit: Press Association
After three years in North London, he signed for BarcelonaCredit: Associated Press
Royal Antwerp, where the 49-year-old is currently director of football, confirmed the news.
An statement read: “Marc Overmars, director of football affairs at RAFC, became unwell last night and was admitted to hospital with a mild stroke.
“Marc is doing well in the meantime, but will have to take it easy for a while.
“Marc and his family focus on his recovery and do not wish to comment further. RAFC wishes Marc a speedy recovery!”
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Overmars resigned from the same role at Ajax in February after sending inappropriate messages to female colleagues.
Following his departure, he said: “Last week I was confronted with reports about my behaviour. And how this has come across to others.
“Unfortunately, I didn’t realise that I was crossing the line with this, but that was made clear to me in recent days. I suddenly felt enormous pressure. I apologise.
“Certainly for someone in my position, this behaviour is unacceptable. I now see that too. But it is too late. I see no other option but to leave Ajax.
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“This also has a major impact on my private situation. That is why I ask everyone to leave me and my family alone.”
He then joined Antwerp in March and has helped bring ex-Spurs pair Toby Alderweireld and Vincent Janssen to the club.
They’re currently third in the Belgian Pro League despite winning their opening nine games.
Overmars retired from football more than 13 years ago and is most known for his three years at Arsenal.
During his time in North London, he scored 40 goals and lifted the Premier League, FA Cup and Charity Shield.
He also won more than 80 caps for the Netherlands and played at four major tournaments. More

SHAKHTAR DONETSK revealed talks are still ongoing with Arsenal over a deal for Mykhaylo Mudryk.Shakhtar have already rejected the Gunners’ opening offer of £35million, plus a further £17.5m in easily achievable add-ons.
Shakhtar Donetsk revealed talks are ongoing with Arsenal for Mykhaylo MudrykCredit: Getty
But transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports negotiations are still in full gear between the Ukrainian giants and the North Londoners who continue to talk on the phone.
Romano quoted Shakhtar CEO Sergei Palkin on Thursday: “Now, literally in 5 minutes, I will have a new phone call conversation with Arsenal for Mykhaylo Mudryk deal.”
Arsenal want Mudryk’s club to set a more realistic release clause.
And the Premier League leaders are pointing to Cody Gakpo’s move to Liverpool, which cost only £37m rising to £45m.
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But the Ukrainians have shown little sign of budging from their hefty £85m valuation of the winger.
Arsenal believe that is an unreasonable release clause for a 21-year-old with little more than 18 months of Ukrainian league football under his belt.
However, Shakhtar sporting director Darijo Srna continues to claim the Ukraine international is in the same bracket as Antony, who cost Manchester United £85.5m.
And Srna even mentioned the £100m British-record fee which Manchester City paid Aston Villa for Jack Grealish.
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Srna believes Mudryk is at the same level as Grealish.
He told Spanish newspaper Marca: “Who wants to sign Mudryk has to pay a big amount of money — otherwise our president will not sell him.
“Jack Grealish was sold for 100m and Mudryk’s level is not lower.”
Arsenal are still expected to return with an improved bid for the player dubbed the “Ukrainian Neymar”.
And Mudryk appears keen on moving to the Emirates after uploading an image of himself on social media watching Mikel Arteta’s men beat West Ham 3-1 on Boxing Day. More

ARSENAL star Oleksandr Zinchenko revealed his footballing idol… and it’s not Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.Instead, Zinchenko, who joined the Gunners last summer from Manchester City, insists the “greatest player ever” is none other than Ronaldinho.
Arsenal star Oleksandr Zinchenko revealed his favourite player of all timeCredit: Getty
Arsenal’s Oleksandr Zinchenko always looked up to RonaldinhoCredit: Getty
The 26-year-old looked up to the Barcelona legend growing up and aspired to emulate him as he started out as a forward.
The Ukraine international, though, couldn’t replicate the Brazil great’s magic on the pitch as he quickly changed position and now plays as either a left-back or midfielder.
Zinchenko told Arsenal.com: “I was a striker myself when I started.
“Then I was a left winger, then midfield, now a left-back. Maybe I will finish as a centre-back or a goalkeeper!
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“But it was the forwards I enjoyed watching, it was Ronaldinho when he was at Barcelona. He was just unbelievable.
“Everyone had their idols, and mine was Ronaldinho. For me I’d say he’s the greatest player ever.
“There is no doubt how good Lionel Messi is, and everyone has their own tastes and their favourites, but for me the best was Ronaldinho.”
Zinchenko has not reached Ronaldinho’s global status but has turned into a national star himself.
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The defender is filling in for former Ukraine legends, such as Andriy Shevchenko, Serhiy Rebrov and Oleg Blokhin.
The ex-City star has also won a raft of titles with four Premier League honours and the 2019 FA Cup under his belt.
And the Ukrainian star is proving to be a key player for Arsenal as he has already amassed 12 appearances across all competitions this season. More

ARSENAL have reportedly made a move to sign Atletico Madrid ace Joao Felix.Portugal star Felix is keen to leave the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium after three years in the Spanish capital.
Atletico Madrid are willing to let Joao Felix leave the Wanda Metropolitano StadiumCredit: GETTY
The Spaniards want £8million to let the forward leave on loanCredit: Getty
Arsenal have reportedly made a move to sign the 22-year-oldCredit: GETTY
Atletico are willing to let the 22-year-old leave on loan provided they receive £8million for his services.
And it’s claimed Premier League leaders Arsenal have made overtures to sign the forward.
That’s according to the Daily Mail, who claim the Gunners have “asked the Spaniards about taking on their £114million man on loan for the remainder of the season.
Arsenal’s Premier League rivals Chelsea and Manchester United were also said to have been interested in signing Felix.
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But it’s claimed the duo have been put off by Atletico’s demands to have Felix’s astronomical wages paid in full.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is eager to bring in attacking reinforcements following Gabriel Jesus’ knee injury – which will keep him on the sidelines until March.
The Spaniard said of Jesus’ injury: “It’s a huge blow for us, obviously.
“He’s such an important player: he’s brought something very different to the team and it’s impossible to replace him.
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“But we have other players, other alternatives and we’ll try to get that sorted.
“The transfer window is another option.
“I think [Jesus] is a unique player but Eddie [Nketiah] has incredible qualities as well for the way we want to play.
“We have other alternatives in that we can play Martinelli up front as well.
Arsenal have had a £55million bid for Mykhaylo Mudryk rejected by Shakhtar DonetskCredit: GETTY
“We are currently a little bit short in terms of upfront positions but getting Emile [Smith Rowe] back is going to be a big one.”
Arsenal made a move for Shakthar Donetsk forward Mykhaylo Mudryk this week – tabling a £55m bid for the Ukranian.
But their opening offer was rejected by Shakhtar – who want a whopping £85m for the forward.
Arsenal will be back in action on New Year’s Eve, travelling to the Amex to take on Brighton. More