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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

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    Crystal Palace’s hopes of keeping Wilfried Zaha fading in huge transfer boost for Arsenal and Chelsea

    ARSENAL and Chelsea’s interest Wilfried Zaha has been given a boost.That’s because he wants to wait and see where Crystal Palace finish before committing to a new deal.
    Arsenal and Chelsea target Wilfried Zaha is holding off on a new Crystal Palace deal… for nowCredit: Reuters
    Zaha is out of contract next summer and can begin talks with foreign clubs over a free transfer in January.
    There is interest closer to home too, with Arsenal and Chelsea both linked with the ex-Man United forward.
    As revealed by SunSport in September, Palace have already offered their star man a new contract.
    But Zaha, 29, is in no rush to agree anything.
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    In fact, the Ivory Coast international is happy to wait until the end of the campaign before sealing any new deal.
    Zaha currently earns £130,000-a-week at Palace.
    And a new deal would likely include a pay-rise, effectively tying Zaha down to Selhurst Park for the rest of his career.
    But Zaha is aware of interest in his services.
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    And he is personally keen to silence critics who claim he can’t cut it at the top after a dismal time at Man Utd in 2013.
    Zaha had his best-ever season last term, scoring 14 times in the Premier League.
    And he already has five goals this season under boss Patrick Vieira.
    It now remains to be seen where Zaha ends up as he contemplates his future.
    But speaking last month, Vieira admitted he is desperate for Palace’s star man to sign on.
    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 in huge Youri Tielemans transfer blow with Leicester not willing to sell midfielder in January as deal runs down

    LEICESTER will NOT sell Youri Tielemans in January, insists boss Brendan Rodgers.Tielemans’ Foxes contract expires at the end of the season, with the Belgian unlikely to pen another one.
    Youri Tielemans’ Leicester contract expires at the end of the seasonCredit: Rex
    Arsenal are interested in signing the 25-year-old, but appear likely to have to wait until next season to do so.
    Speaking about Tielemans’ future, Rodgers vowed: “It’s not something we are thinking of and not anything the club have said we need to do.
    “We don’t want to be offloading our best players, that’s for sure.
    “So there has been no hint or indication we need to generate money and move him on.
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    “But, of course, there’s a business side to the club that they will look at.
    “We had a number of long chats in the summer. There is clearly no doubt even a young guy who is focused like Youri and very professional, it can have an impact.
    “But he has been fully focused. He doesn’t let that affect him. He is a top-class professional, he sees the game how I see it.
    “On the field he understands what is happening within the game and that’s all he can do – give his very best – and his recent performances have been excellent.”
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    Leicester lost star defender Wesley Fofana to Chelsea in the summer, while long-time stalwart Kasper Schmeichel left for OGC Nice in France.
    The Foxes went winless in their first seven matches this term, before finally beating Nottingham Forest 4-0.
    Their form has improved somewhat in recent weeks, with Tielemans wearing the captain’s armband in their last four games.
    They still find themselves in the relegation zone, however, having picked up 11 points from 13 games.
    Arsenal, meanwhile, covet more depth in the midfield area.
    Beyond starters Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka they are light in the middle – with Albert Sambi Lokonga and crocked Mohamed Elneny their only other options. More

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    Arsenal consider Facundo Torres transfer bid after being alerted to Orlando City star by scout who spotted Neymar

    ARSENAL are considering making a bid for Orlando City star Facundo Torres, according to reports.The 22-year-old has impressed in the MLS this season and the Gunners have been made aware of him by scout Toni Lima.
    Facundo Torres is being monitored by ArsenalCredit: Getty
    Neymar was spotted by Toni Lima when at SantosCredit: Getty
    Lima has been credited with recommending Neymar to Barcelona and Coutinho to Inter Milan when both were playing in their homeland of Brazil.
    The Evening Standard report that Torres could be signed to provide competition for Bukayo Saka.
    Torres joined Orlando from Penarol in his native Uruguay for around £7.75million in January.
    Since touching down in the United States the 22-year-old has scored 14 goals and registered ten assists in 40 league matches.
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    He helped the Florida based side win the US Open Cup, the domestic cup competition, netting four times on their way to glory.
    He also featured in a pre-season friendly versus the Gunners over the summer.
    Before Torres left Penarol he won the Uruguayan league title with them in 2021.
    The winger is capable of playing on either flank and just off the striker with his versatility making him an attractive option for Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.
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    The Spaniard is rumoured to be desperate to bring in an extra winger in the January transfer window – with the club reportedly targeting Shakhtar Donestk ace Mykhaylo Mudryk.
    Arsenal have also reportedly showed an interest in Wolves’ Pedro Neto and PSV’s Cody Gakpo in the past.
    With the North London side sitting top of the table and going strong in the Europa League the board will back any spending Arteta may want to do – a SunSport exclusive revealed.
    If Torres does arrive at the Emirates he will be in battle with the likes of Reiss Nelson and Marquinhos who hope to get minutes if Saka or Gabriel Martinelli aren’t playing. More

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    Arsenal in talks with William Saliba over new long-term contract with fears over free transfer exit next summer

    ARSENAL are reportedly in talks with star defender William Saliba over a new long-term contract with fears he could walk out for FREE next summer.The 21-year-old moved to the Emirates from Saint-Etienne in 2019 for £27million in 2019.
    Saliba’s contract expires next summerCredit: Getty
    However, he was made to wait until this season to make his Arsenal debut after being loaned out to St-Etienne, Nice and Marseille in the last few campaigns.
    Since coming into Mikel Arteta’s side, Saliba has played a key role in keeping the Gunners tight at the back.
    He has eight clean sheets in 17 games across all competitions and has conceded just 14 goals.
    However, his contract is due to expire next summer meaning he could walk out for FREE.
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    Arsenal also hold a 12-month option, but according to The Athletic, the club want to tie the Frenchman down to a new long-term contract.
    Should the Gunners hit a stumbling block in negotiations, Saliba won’t be short of options.
    In fact, reports suggest Paris Saint-Germain are keen on the defender.
    The player loves living in France.
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    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.
    “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 send scouts to watch Brazil and Palmeiras midfield youngster Danilo ahead of January transfer swoop

    ARSENAL reportedly sent scouts to watch Palmeiras and Brazil midfielder Danilo last week.The Gunners are thought to be interested in signing the 21-year-old youngster in January, with SunSport confirming recently that Mikel Arteta is set to splash £50million in the mid-season window.
    Danilo is being heavily linked with a move to the EmiratesCredit: Getty
    And, according to journalist Ekrem Konur, they stepped up their pursuit of the international by having club representatives monitor him during Palmeiras’ 3-1 win over Athletico Paranaense.
    However, it did not go as Danilo or the Arsenal scouts would have planned as the holding midfielder was substituted at half-time.
    The Brazilian international made way for Gabriel Menino – a change which turned the game.
    Danilo’s departure came with Palmeiras 1-0 down, before they went on to win the game 3-1.
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    As a result, it was not the most glowing of lights for Arsenal to see Danilo in.
    However, it is believed they remain keen and could try to prize him away in January for a fee of around £26m.
    Arsenal have a reputation for signing Brazilian talent for a cut-price, with Gabriel Martinelli arriving for £6m in 2019 and Marquinhos for £3m this summer.
    But that will be a difficult task given he is a key player in Palmeiras’ squad and has a contract which runs until 2026.
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    He has made 137 appearances for the club, scoring 12 goals.
    And his performances have seen him catch the eye of Brazil manager Tite – who called him up to the national team earlier this year.
    But he is yet to receive his first cap so a place in their World Cup squad is still uncertain.
    That could prove to be good news for Arsenal as a move to Europe is something reports suggest could help with his hopes of going to Qatar.
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    The Brazilian season also concludes before the World Cup, making it an opportune time for Danilo to move.
    As well as Danilo, Arsenal are also reportedly interested in Shakhtar Donetsk’s young Ukrainian international Mykhaylo Mudryk and Villarreal’s exciting 20-year-old winger Yeremy. More

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    Arsenal fan and pal of KSI wins HUGE bet on win over Nottingham Forest after predicting exact score and first goalscorer

    ARSENAL fan and YouTuber Callux won a HUGE bet on the win over Nottingham Forest, predicting the first goalscorer and the exact score.The Gunners ascended back to the top of the Premier League on Sunday.

    Callux placed a £125 stake at long odds of 33/1Credit: Twitter
    Martinelli scored the opener, as Callux predicted, and Arsenal went on to score four more to seal the betCredit: Getty
    They put five past Nottingham Forest, with Gabriel Martinelli being the man to set the ball rolling.
    Arsenal fan, YouTuber and friend of megastar KSI, Callux, predicted both the first goalscorer and the exact final score correctly.
    Callux placed a £125 stake with odds at 33/1, and tweeted: “PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD ARSENAL.”
    He got a return of £4,250, which he says is close to the max payout that would have been available to him at the Emirates.
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    Replying to a fan who questioned the “shocking” odds, Callux said: “They scam you a bit at the stadium on odds (max is £5k payout too).”
    In plush seats at the North London club, Callux, KSI and Co celebrated at full-time.
    To add to Martinelli’s opener, Reiss Nelson scored two, Thomas Partey bagged a pearler and captain Martin Odegaard finished the game off.
    However, there was ONE big negative to Sunday’s demolition of Forest… Bukayo Saka’s injury.
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    Both Arsenal and England fans, as well as Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate, have been left sweating over Saka’s fitness with the World Cup just around the corner.
    The winger limped off with an injury in the first half.
    After the game, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta moved to play down the injury – but admitted only time will tell if the injury is serious.
    Arteta said: “Bukayo had a really bad kick and he tried but could not carry on… he got kicked a few times on both the foot and the ankle and he wasn’t comfortable.
    “He was limping right from the beginning and hopefully it’s not a bad injury. Let’s see how he is in the next couple of days.” More