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    Barcelona and Juventus enter transfer race for Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha to rival Chelsea and Arsenal

    BARCELONA and Juventus have reportedly joined the race to sign Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha.The Ivory Coast ace, 29, is out of contract next summer.
    Barcelona and Juventus are keen on signing Wilfried ZahaCredit: Reuters
    Chelsea and Arsenal are both interested in a free transfer swoop.
    But foreign clubs have the advantage over Palace’s domestic rivals.
    That’s because they can open contract talks with Zaha as early as January.
    And the Standard claims Barcelona and Juventus are now considering swoops in the new year.
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    The cash-strapped duo are on the hunt for football’s hottest free agents.
    And experienced forward Zaha ticks all the right boxes after netting five goals in 11 games this term.
    He is keen to prove himself at a top club after flopping with Manchester United.
    And Palace’s hopes of tying Zaha down to a new deal are quickly fading.
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    The Eagles are prepared to make their star man the club’s best-paid player in history.
    Zaha already earns £130,000-a-week at Selhurst Park.
    But that figure would rise significantly should he commit to Patrick Vieira’s side.
    The Palace boss is certainly determined to keep hold of Zaha.
    Vieira said: “Wilfried knows what the club think about him, and we know what he thinks about the club.
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    “There will be discussions taking place, but for myself and for the club what’s important is for him to play at this level and be consistent.
    “We will see what will happen. If he has a good day, the team will have a good day. He’s an important player on and off the field.” More

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    Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta CONFIRMS January transfer spending spree to keep up Premier League title charge

    ARSENAL boss Mikel Arteta insisted the club will “look at everything” in the January transfer window to keep up their Premier League title charge.The Gunners spent just under £120million in the summer window on five new faces.
    Arteta says the club are on the search for playersCredit: AFP
    Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Fabio Vieira, Matt Turner and Marquinhos all arrived at the Emirates and Arsenal have reaped the rewards.
    Arteta’s men are currently sat top of the Premier League, two points above defending champions Manchester City, and the Gunners topped their Europa League group.
    However, Arteta is keen to keep up momentum and continue to push for the Prem title until the very end.
    And he will “look at everything” to bring the right players into the club mid-season.
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    However, Arteta also admitted January is a notoriously hard window to buy in.
    He said: “The planning of that period is extremely difficult.
    “First of all because we know the January window, how special it is, the opportunities that you have, the short window that you have.
    “And obviously with the position that we are in right now as well, it demands as well another level of player – and that player has to be available.
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    “We will look at everything and let’s see what we can do.”
    SunSport exclusively reported Arteta would be backed in January to the tune of £50m.
    Arteta wants to add at least two more players to his squad.
    One of the key areas the Spaniard is hoping to strengthen is in midfield.
    Plans to make another bid for Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz have been scrapped after he recently signed a new long-term contract.
    Now Arsenal could revive their interest in another Brazilian midfielder, the 21-year-old Palmeiras star Danilo.
    The Express are reporting Mykhaylo Mudryk is another name of interest to the Gunners.
    Shakhtar Donetsk goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin claims his club team-mates are already mocking Mudryk over a potential transfer.
    Trubin said: “I like that he is focused only on himself, his and the team’s game.
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    “All these transfer rumours affect him only in a positive way, because he enjoys what he does.
    “And, in the team, we can tell him; ‘well, you’re already at Arsenal, let’s all go!’” More

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    Arsenal have ALREADY signed £87million wonderkid Mudryk, claims Shakhtar Donetsk team-mate

    ARSENAL have already signed Shakhtar Donetsk wonderkid Mykhailo Mudryk, according to his own teammate. The highly-rated star has long been linked with a move to an Emirates and his value continues to grow.
    Mudryk is enjoying an outstanding season so far in UkraineCredit: Reuters
    The 21-year-old winger has been flying in both the Champions League and his own domestic league and some of his teammates have already concluded he is off.
    While no deal has officially been done, Shakhtar goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin has said the dressing-room has already concluded he is off.
    He told FPL360: “I like that he is focused only on himself, his and the team’s game. Fans don’t really see that much. No one sees what he is doing away from the football field.
    “All these transfer rumours affect him only in a positive way, because he enjoys what he does. 
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    “And, in the team, we can tell him; ‘well, you’re already at Arsenal, let’s all go!”
    The Gunners have been edging closer to Mudryk for months but have been warned they will have to cough up at least £85million to land him.

    And Shakhtar director Carlo Nicolini has made clear that Mikel Arteta has a fight on his hands to prize the star away from Ukraine.
    He told Calciomercato: “Together with Kylian Mbappe, Rafa Leao and Vinicius Jr, Mudryk is the strongest player in his role.
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    “Is £35m enough to buy him? We don’t speak for these figures, not even for £45m, we don’t even call the president to make the offer.
    “We value Mudryk more than [Manchester] United’s Antony – £85m. Floating between Arsenal and Man City? They are two teams that have taken an interest in the player.”
    Mudryk is enjoying a stunning season so far and can boast three Champions League goals in the six group games.
    But it was not enough to rescue Shakhtar’s European dreams as they fell to defeat against RB Leipzig and tumbled into the Europa League last night.
    In the Ukrainian Premier League, Mudryk has recorded four goals and give assists in seven games. More

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    ‘Just get a pen’ – Gabriel Martinelli hands Arsenal HUGE contract boost with striker ready to snub transfer interest

    GABRIEL MARTINELLI insists he “just needs to get a pen” to sign a new Arsenal contract – despite interest from Real Madrid and Chelsea.The Brazil winger is in talks over taking his current deal beyond 2024 and is “very happy” with the Premier League leaders.
    Brazilian star Gabriel Martinelli hopes to add to his three caps at the World CupCredit: Getty
    Martinelli insists he’d love to stay at the EmiratesCredit: Getty
    The Gunners want to build Mikel Arteta’s exciting team around starlets like Martinelli and Bukayo Saka, who are both 21.
    And they are confident both will agree huge new long-term contracts.
    Arsenal already have the option to extend Martinelli’s deal for two more years until 2026.
    But with Martinelli’s form attracting the attention of huge teams around Europe, they want to tie him down for good.
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    And he said: “I am very happy at Arsenal. I’ve said it many times.
    “This is my club. I love to be here, I love the city, I love the club. 
    “I love everything about Arsenal so I want to stay. I just need to get a pen.”
    The Gunners are likely to be much changed for Thursday night’s Europa League group finale at home to Zurich.
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    But they will still expect to confirm top place with victory over the bottom-placed Swiss side.
    Martinelli is keen to play as much as possible in all competitions – particularly as he, like his Arsenal team-mates is anxious to seal a place at Qatar.
    He said: “We talk about it a lot. Of course all of us want to be there in the squad and to play at the World Cup. 
    “All we can do is work hard here at Arsenal and try our best to be on the list.” More

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    Arsenal star urged to quit the club by former Prem ace Brad Friedel who says he’s ‘too good to be on the bench’

    MATT TURNER should consider leaving Arsenal as he’s too good for the bench, according to former Spurs keeper Brad Friedel.American stopper Turner has impressed in the Europa League but Aaron Ramsdale remains the Gunners’ No1 in the Prem.
    Matt Turner deserves better than being Arsenal’s second-choice keeper, according to fellow American Brad FriedelCredit: Getty
    Friedel hopes Turner gets the chance to prove himself in the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty
    Now Friedel hopes Arsenal are prepared to let his countryman leave, at least on loan, just months after signing from MLS side New England Revolution.
    Turner is competing for the USA first-choice spot at the World Cup with Manchester City’s Zach Steffen, who is on loan with Championship side Middlesbrough this season.
    And lack of game time might count against Turner, 28.
    Friedel won 82 US caps and played a record 310 consecutive Prem games – so few players appear more qualified to talk about Turner’s position.
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    The former Liverpool and Aston Villa stopper, 51, accepts there’s no way Turner could have rejected the Gunners in the summer.
    But he told Fair Betting Sites: “Time will tell if it’s the right decision.
    “When you’re in the MLS, this is what I’ll say – it’s hard to turn down a club like Arsenal coming in for you.
    “But when you move and you’re as good as Matt Turner, I’d like to think that you would move and you’re being told that you were gonna be the number one which obviously wasn’t the case at Arsenal.
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    “Matt’s a heck of a nice guy and a heck of a good goalkeeper. I personally think he’s too good of a goalkeeper to be sitting on the bench.
    “I don’t know what kind of deal they have with Arsenal or what, but I hope if he’s not in the team, or doesn’t look like he’s gonna get near the team, then they would allow him to leave or go on loan.”
    Ironically, Ramsdale is likely to be on the bench when Turner’s USA team take on England in their group clash in Qatar.
    Everton hero Jordan Pickford seems to have the No1 spot for Gareth Southgate’s three Lions nailed on ahead of Ramsdale and Nick Pope. More

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    Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher make U-turn on Premier League top four predictions… and fear for Arsenal

    GARY NEVILLE believes the top-four race will “become a right tangle and mess come February” with the Manchester United legend fearing for Arsenal.The Gunners are currently sat top of the Premier League after 12 games played.
    Neville says it isn’t a guarantee of Arsenal finishing inside the top fourCredit: Alamy
    Arteta’s men are top of the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty
    Mikel Arteta’s men have picked up 31 points from an available 34, scoring 30 goals in the process.
    In recent weeks, Arsenal haven’t made it easy for themselves, but came away with wins nonetheless.
    They were, however, defeated 2-0 by PSV Eindhoven in the Europa League.
    And United legend Neville isn’t betting on Arsenal being nailed-on finishers inside the top-four this season.
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    The iconic right-back expects the top-four race to “become a right tangle and mess come February” with Arsenal at the thick of it.
    Speaking to Mirror Football, Neville said: “City are guaranteed obviously and I think Tottenham will get in there. I want to say Arsenal because I think they will be.
    “I think this season will be split into two and I think you’ll see a completely different momentum change and shift at some point in the season. It will just completely change at some point – not at the top, I think City will run away with it.
    “But I think Liverpool will come back. We’ve not seen Chelsea, what are they going to do, are they going to hang in there? Are Arsenal going to hang in there? Tottenham, I don’t think will fade away.
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    “I think it will become a right tangle and mess come February, March and I think the business end of the season will look completely different to how it looks today. So I will go City, Arsenal Tottenham, United, I think and then I think Chelsea and Liverpool will just miss out.
    “But to be honest with you, this idea that Arsenal will definitely get top four, I don’t go along with that yet personally. I think they have got to prove it towards the end of the season even though I’ve loved watching them at the moment and they’re brilliant.”
    Fellow Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher, meanwhile, is confident Arsenal will finish up in the top four, as well as North London rivals Tottenham.
    Liverpool legend Carragher said: “I think pretty similarly, I do think the north London clubs will both get in it now, I really do believe that, I have loved watching Arsenal they’ve been almost my favourite team to watch this season.
    “I think Liverpool will get in there ahead of Chelsea and then the two north London clubs alongside Man City.
    “But I think it will be a fight that will go right to the wire and as a Liverpool supporter if you offered me top four now I would bite your hand off because I think Liverpool are in a right fight for that, they could easily finish sixth.
    “But I do think Liverpool will stick in there because I do think in that second half of the season we’ve got to see the Liverpool of old at some stage and when Liverpool get back to that it is too much for everybody else in this league, except Man City.
    “Whether they ever get back to that consistency it’s going to be tough for them.”
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    Both pundits see the Gunners coming in at second behind current champions Man City.
    Neville has then gone with Spurs and Man Utd in third and fourth, while Carragher picked Spurs and Liverpool to complete the top-four. More

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    Arsenal facing fight to keep hold of William Saliba with Atletico Madrid eyeing up free transfer move for defender

    ATLETICO MADRID are keen on signing in-form Arsenal defender William Saliba, according to reports.The Frenchman, 21, has had an impressive start after finally getting to play for the Gunners.
    Atletico would like to sign SalibaCredit: Getty
    He was made to wait a couple of years for his opportunity following his £27million 2019 transfer from Saint-Etienne.
    The defender spent a number of seasons out on loan back in France at St-Etienne, Nice and Marseille last term, where he impressed.
    Saliba’s contract is due to expire next summer but Arsenal have an option to extend a further year.
    Nonetheless, Spanish outlet Fichajes are reporting that one of Atletico boss Diego Simeone’s “great wishes” is to sign the France international.
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    Atletico were believed to be close to signing Saliba before he joined Arsenal.
    The 2021 LaLiga champions are in the market for a standout defender with the likes of Felipe, Stefan Savic and Jose Maria Gimenez all failing to live up to expectations.
    A number of other centre-backs are being eyed if Atletico fail to land Saliba with Arsenal desperate to tie their man down to a new long-term deal.
    Athletic Bilbao’s Inigo Martinez is an option for Atletico, as is Torino’s Perr Schuurs.
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    French champions Paris Saint-Germain are also keen on Saliba.
    The player loves living in France which could make a switch to the Parc des Princes attractive.
    Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says when Saliba returned from loan he wasn’t sure whether their relationship was beyond repair.
    The Spaniard said this month: “I was really impressed and surprised when I spoke to him.
    “The way the relationship started, [I wondered] if there was damage there because he had certain expectations.
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    “But he was so committed just to play for Arsenal.
    “If I look at how he talks about the club and how much he wants to be here, I have no doubts that he wants to continue to be here.” More

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    Arsenal interest in Facundo Torres ‘CONFIRMED by agent with imminent talks over move for Orlando City winger expected’

    ARSENAL are set for imminent talks with the agent of Facundo Torres as their interest in the winger intensifies, according to reports. The Gunners have had an outstanding start to the season and continue to lead the way in the Premier League after a weekend trouncing of Nottingham Forest.
    Facundo Torres has caught the eye after a very good season in the USCredit: Getty
    Their foundation has been built on young players and an attacking brand of football under Mikel Arteta.
    Torres, 22, has been linked with a move to the Emirates as Arsenal look to build more squad depth.
    ESPN report that Torres’ agent Edgardo Lasalvia has confirmed talks are set to be held with the London club.
    The Uruguayan has enjoyed an outstanding season in the MLS with Orlando City and Arsenal have taken notice.
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    Lasalvia will reportedly hold talks with Arsenal scout Toni Lima to discuss a potential move.
    The agent revealed that there were still no advanced talks but interest existed from the Premier League table-toppers.
    Lima was hired in 2021 and is known to specialise in South American talent.
    He is credited with being one of the first to spot the talent of Neymar and Philippe Coutinho when they played in Brazil.
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    Torres has thrived at Orlando City and has scored nine goals and recorded 10 assists in his debut season.
    The attacker signed a four-year deal from Uruguayan club Penarol in January for a fee of around £7.75million.
    Orlando City finished 7th in the MLS Eastern Conference table. More