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    Arsenal send scouts to watch £44m-rated ‘next Luka Modric’ Lovro Majer in Croatia’s win over Denmark

    ARSENAL are reportedly keeping tabs on Rennes midfielder Lovro Majer after scouting him in action for Croatia.The 24-year-old has been earning rave reviews in France since joining the Ligue 1 outfit from Dinamo Zagreb last year.
    Rennes star Lovro Majer has been likened to Croatian compatriot Luka ModricCredit: Reuters
    Arsenal are reportedly keen on Majer, having sent scouts to watch him against Denmark on ThursdayCredit: Getty
    He chipped in with six goals and nine assists in his first season with Bruno Genesio’s side.
    And he has maintained his impressive form this campaign, earning a regular spot in the Croatia squad.
    His dazzling displays have seen him compared to compatriot Luka Modric due to his playmaking abilities and box-to-box prowess.
    Both Majer and Modric have won three Croatian top-flight titles with Zagreb, but the former still has some way before he can reach the Real Madrid legend’s heights.
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    Mikel Arteta is keen to bolster his midfield in the January transfer window and the Mirror have stated Majer is on the club’s radar.
    It has been claimed that scouts watched him in Croatia’s 2-1 victory against Denmark in the Nations League on Thursday.
    And they will have been impressed with what they saw as Majer netted the winner after coming off the bench.
    It’s said to be the second time this term that table-toppers Arsenal scouts have watched him live.
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    But nine-cap Majer won’t come cheap, with Rennes believed to have slapped a £44million asking price on him.
    As well as Arsenal, Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona are also understood to be interested.
    As well as Majer, Arsenal are also eyeing up a possible swoop for Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Jesper Lindstrom having reportedly contacted his representatives.
    Meanwhile it remains to be seen whether they will go back in for Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz, who has entered the final year of his contract at Villa Park.
    Arsenal had three bids rejected for the Brazilian on deadline day as they desperately looked to bring in back-up for Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny.
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    And Leicester contract rebel Youri Tielemans could be available in a cut-price transfer with the Belgian ace to become a free agent next summer.
    Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli is also claimed to be attracting interest from the Gunners after they failed to sign the Italian from Sassuolo last year. More

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    Arsenal looking to raid Juventus for Dusan Vlahovic and Fabio Miretti in stunning double transfer swoop

    ARSENAL have been linked with a sensational double transfer swoop for Juventus duo Dusan Vlahovic and Fabio Miretti.The Gunners splashed out over £100million during the summer as Mikel Arteta overhauled his squad.
    Mikel Arteta has allegedly told Arsenal to launch a £100m January transfer raidCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
    The Gunners reportedly want Fabio Miretti and Dusan Vlahovic from JuventusCredit: Getty
    Part of those incomings was the arrival of £45million Brazilian international forward Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City.
    He was also joined by attackers Fabio Vieira and Marquinhos, as well as defender Oleksandr Zinchenko and goalkeeper Matt Turner.
    Despite all of those attacking reinforcements, a new report from Italy claims Arteta is pushing the Arsenal board to fork out over £100m more in January.
    CMW is reporting that he has instructed them to make a move for Juventus star Vlahovic.
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    The 22-year-old Serbian had been linked with the North London club for several months before he snubbed them in favour of joining the Turin side from Fiorentina back in January.
    He has since fired 11 goals in 21 Serie A outings – including four in eight appearances this term.
    It seems unlikely that Juventus would be looking to sell him within a year of securing his services, but this fresh report states that has not deterred Arteta.
    And he is not the only man that the Spaniard wants to bring to the Emirates from the Bianconeri.
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    Their 19-year-old midfield star Miretti is also allegedly on his wishlist.
    The Italian U21 international has become a key member of Massimiliano Allegri’s squad this term.
    He has featured nine times and is another name that Juventus are unlikely to want to lose, especially midway through the campaign.
    But that has not stopped this fresh report from claiming that Arteta has asked Arsenal to launch a £100.52m double bid for the pair. More

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    ‘I still don’t know what exactly happened’ – Aaron Ramsey confused over Arsenal exit but ‘always has love’ for club

    ARSENAL icon Aaron Ramsey has declared he is still struggling to deal with his Emirates exit after the club pulled his contract extension off the table.The 31-year-old headed into the 2018-19 season going into the final year of his deal in North London in what was Unai Emery’s first term in charge.
    Aaron Ramsey departed Arsenal in 2019 to join Serie A giants Juventus on a free transferCredit: PA
    After being deemed as surplus to requirements at the start of the Spaniard’s reign, the Wales international slowly started to win back his place after a number of stellar displays.
    And the three-time FA Cup champion, who scored the winning goals in the 2014 and 2017 finals, has claimed that he had agreed on extending his 11-year stay at Arsenal.
    But the midfielder has stated that the Gunners decided to withdraw their proposal, leading him to join Juventus on a free transfer in a £400,000-a-week deal.
    Speaking to The Times, Ramsey said: “It all happened… I agreed to a contract they proposed. Things went quiet for a few weeks.
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    “I was telling my agent, ‘Let’s do it,’ then all of a sudden the contract was no longer there. So there was nothing to sign or agree.
    “It was a difficult start for a few months with Unai. As the season was going on, I was playing more and playing really well.
    “Then January came and I had to make a decision whether I carried on and saw what happened or whether I agreed somewhere.
    “I decided to do that [Juventus move] because there was nothing on the table [from Arsenal].
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    “There was a lot of change with the manager coming. I don’t understand, I still don’t know what exactly happened.
    “I have no bad words or bad feelings to Arsenal. They are still a massive part of my life and I still look out for them and I am really glad to see them doing so well.
    “I always have love for Arsenal and that will never change.”
    After three years in Turin, Ramsey was released by the Old Lady in the summer – despite being contracted until 2023.
    He subsequently linked up with French side Nice, where he is playing alongside former Premier League stars such as Ross Barkley, Kasper Schmeichel and Morgan Schneiderlin.
    Even Nicolas Pepe made the move to the Ligue 1 outfit with Arsenal allowing the Ivorian to return to France on loan.
    It took Ramsey just one minute to score on his Nice debut as he fired home moments after coming on against Toulouse last month to rescue a point. More

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    Arsenal wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri gets glowing report from HEADTEACHER who tips ‘next Cesc Fabregas’ for England glory

    ETHAN NWANERI is “something special” — according to his headteacher!The Arsenal prodigy became the Premier League’s youngest- ever player, at 15 years and 181 days, when he came on in Sunday’s 3-0 win at Brentford.
    Ethan Nwaneri will become a major star for England as well as Arsenal, according to headteacher Alexander TardiosCredit: Alamy
    St John’s School head Alexander Tardios didn’t hold back with his praise for the Premier League’s youngest ever player, Ethan NwaneriCredit: Twitter
    Alexander Tardios, Nwaneri’s head teacher at St John’s School in Enfield, revealed he took just EIGHT MINUTES to secure a scholarship as a ten-year-old.
    Tardios said: “He’s skilful, powerful, fast and humble.
    “Really, Arsenal have something special. And I will go further — England have something special as he gets older.
    “I would make a comparison with Cesc Fabregas, I would definitely make a comparison with Jack Wilshere because he’s got that skill and natural ability.
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    “The first time I saw him was at the school academy trial day and we had a football pitch that was full of academy players from football clubs.
    “You’re looking for that talent that might just about stand out.
    “But Ethan was head and shoulders above the other children, he was just passing them as if they weren’t there.
    “We had to take him off because no other player could touch the ball and he got his full scholarship within eight minutes.
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    “I then texted someone with a lot of knowledge about football and said, ‘Do you know someone called Ethan Nwaneri?’
    “And his simple text to me was, ‘Yes, he’s spectacular’.” More

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    Arsenal ‘contact Eintracht Frankfurt star Jesper Lindstrom as they plot £17m January transfer swoop’

    ARSENAL have reportedly opened talks over a January move for Eintracht Frankfurt attacking midfielder Jesper Lindstrom.The Gunners, who sit top of the Premier League table, are expected to be active in the New Year with Mikel Arteta keen to bolster his squad.
    Eintracht Frankfurt ace Jesper Lindstrom is claimed to be attracting interest from ArsenalCredit: Getty
    Denmark international Lindstrom has scored three goals in ten games this seasonCredit: Getty
    Boss Arteta is known to be in the market for a new midfielder having failed to bring in Aston Villa ace Douglas Luiz on deadline day.
    And according to Bild, Denmark international Lindstrom is on Arsenal’s radar having starred in Germany.
    The 22-year-old was named Bundesliga Rookie of the Year last season after impressing in his opening term at Frankfurt following his move from Brondby.
    He has continued his fine form this campaign having chipped in with three goals in ten games in all competitions – including last week’s winner away at Marseille in the Champions League.
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    Bild state that Arsenal have contacted Lindstrom’s team over a potential switch to the Emirates in the New Year.
    It has been said that the 2022 Europa League winner fits the profile of player that Arteta is targeting.
    Arteta has been keen to bring in versatile players in the last year, and with Lindstrom able to operate in the No 10 role or on the wings, he fits the criteria.
    The German news outlet has declared that a fee of £17million would be enough to secure Lindstrom’s services.
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    Arsenal failed to dip into the market in the last winter transfer window, and it proved costly as they missed out on the top four by two points.
    However this time around they may not be so quiet, with Shakhtar Donestk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk believed to be a target.
    Meanwhile it remains to be seen whether they will go back in for Brazilian star Luiz, who has entered the final year of his contract at Villa Park.
    And Leicester contract rebel Youri Tielemans could be available in a cut-price transfer with the Belgian ace to become a free agent next summer.
    Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli is also claimed to be attracting interest from the Gunners after they failed to sign the Italian from Sassuolo last year. More

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    Arsenal could return for Manuel Locatelli in shock transfer move after Italy star’s struggling start at Juventus

    ARSENAL could reportedly reignite their interest in Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli after failing to sign him last year.The 24-year-old snubbed a switch to the Emirates following Euro 2020 as he opted instead to link up with the Old Lady from Sassuolo.
    Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli is claimed to be facing an uncertain future in TurinCredit: Getty
    Locatelli linked up with Juve on an initial two-year loan, with the Serie A giants obligated to turn his temporary stay into a permanent transfer for £30million.
    But he has struggled to live up to his billing in Turin, and it has been claimed that he could be facing an uncertain future at the Allianz Stadium.
    According to Calciomercato, Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri has been left underwhelmed by the player since his arrival.
    And this has led to speculation over whether he could soon be departing the club, with Paul Pogba to replace him in the line-up once the Frenchman is fully fit.
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    The news outlet stated that should he fail to convince Allegri and the board in the next few months, Juventus wouldn’t stand in his way of departing.
    And they have said that Arsenal could be willing to return to the table for Locatelli where they would be prepared to take a gamble on him.
    It has been reported how the North London outfit were ‘on the footballer’s trail for a long time’ prior to him joining Juve from Sassuolo.
    Arsenal could now look to make a swoop to sign Locatelli at the second time of asking next summer.
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    Calciomercato refused to confirm whether there have been any talks between Arsenal or Juve for Locatelli.
    Gunners gaffer Mikel Arteta is known to be in the market for a new midfielder having failed to bring in Aston Villa ace Douglas Luiz on deadline day.
    The Villans knocked back three bids by Arsenal for the Brazilian, with Arteta desperate to sign cover for Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny.
    With Luiz in the final year of his contract, Arsenal could look to snap him up in January or wait until the end of the campaign to land him on a free transfer.
    But they know they face competition from Liverpool in the race to secure his services. More

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    England new-boy Toney slams ‘cringey’ Arsenal after ‘nice kickabout with the boys’ Twitter jibe following Brentford loss

    IVAN TONEY branded Arsenal “cringey” for their Twitter jibes.The England new boy enraged the Gunners by posting “Nice kickabout with the boys” after his Brentford side beat them 2-0 last season.
    Ivan Toney was amused at first but now thinks Arsenal stars have gone too far by copying his tweet twiceCredit: Getty
    Defender Gabriel was the second Gunner to repeat Ivan Toney’s message – after Arsenal won 3-0 at Brentford on Sunday
    That tweet was repeated by Alexandre Lacazette when Arsenal defeated the Bees at the Emirates last term — and again by Gabriel when his team won 3-0 at Brentford on Sunday.
    But striker Toney — called up by England for the first time before Friday’s clash with Italy — said: “Once was funny but the second time was a bit cringey.
    “I bit my tongue, I wanted to reply, I wanted to nibble.
    “But fair play to them, they played very well. They are a different Arsenal side to what we played before. They are doing well.”
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    Gunners boss Mikel Arteta also used Toney’s original “kickabout” tweet as motivation to fire up his troops before last season’s return match.
    But Toney, with five goals in seven games this campaign, reckons he could score even more playing for a club such as Arsenal or Manchester City.
    He said: “It is easy to say if I was in their team I would score goals but when you play teams like them they dominate possession.
    “So in theory you are more likely to score goals and have a lot more opportunities.
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    “But you still have to put it in the back of the net so until I am there, who knows?
    “Hopefully one day I will be in their shoes and have that opportunity to score goals like Erling Haaland and Gabriel Jesus.” More

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    ‘He is ‘very, very special’ – Arsenal star and ‘coach’ Granit Xhaka hails history-making wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri

    WHEN 15-year-old Ethan Nwaneri stepped on to the pitch on Sunday, the words “F*** me, we’re looking old” uttered by a Brentford player hit home with Granit Xhaka.Arsenal’s midfielder, 29, is already preparing for when he hangs up his boots and has even coached the schoolboy as he works on his badges.
    Younger than the Emirates Stadium, Ethan Nwaneri made his debut at Brentford at the weekendCredit: Getty
    Granit Xhaka has emphasised the importance of protecting younger playersCredit: Rex
    When Nwaneri reaches Xhaka’s age, the Swiss hopes to be an imposing presence on the touchline as a grey-haired boss.
    Nwaneri became the youngest player to appear in English football’s top flight when he came on in the Gunners’ 3-0 win at Brentford, aged just 15 years and 181 days old.
    He broke a record held for 58 YEARS by Sunderland’s Derek Forster, who made his league debut aged 15 and 185 days.
    Nwaneri even had to change into his kit in a separate dressing room to his team-mates because of child protection rules.
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    Born in March 2007, he was not alive when Arsenal moved to the Emirates or when they played in their only Champions League final-  a 2-1 defeat by Barcelona – in 2006.
    Xhaka said: “We have to check the passport first! I am joking. To have a guy who is 15 and is nearly 15 years younger than me.
    “He looks old when I see him, but the club can be proud of a player like him.
    “He has a big future. I am doing my coaching licence and I have trained the under-16s.
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    “You can see a big difference with him and the other guys. He is very, very special.
    “You have to protect him as he is very young but if he keeps going like this with his hard work he has a big, big future.
    “It’s not only me that feels old. I spoke with one Brenford guy and I told him this guy was 15 and he looked at me and said: ‘f*** me, we are looking old!’.
    “When you have 15 years difference you think ‘OK the time is not gone but it is on the way’. But we are enjoying him, he is enjoying us as he has the quality.
    “He is not with us a lot in training. I have maybe seen him twice or three times now.
    “He is very shy, of course, but the time will come when he will be more with us but you have to protect him and help him.
    “Football is not everything for him and for us but yes, the club will help him and the experienced players have to help him.”
    Mostly used as a No 10, Nwaneri came to the attention of Gunners fans by scoring on his Under-18s debut last year at just 14.
    He was then promoted to first team training in the week after instantly impressing Emirates chief Mikel Arteta who had a “pure gut-feeling” to include him in his plans on Sunday.
    Cesc Fabregas held the previous Arsenal record at the age of 16 years and 177 days when he faced Rotherham in a League Cup match in 2003.
    Xhaka said: “Mikel is so smart and clever he knows before everyone. I am taking a lot from Mikel with my coaching and I am enjoying it.
    “Since last March. I am trying to do my next step and I am nearly done with my B licence. This week was twice as we did not have a midweek game. I am enjoying it.”
    Xhaka knows all too well how quickly fans can turn on players in the Prem, and that the club will have to protect Nwaneri.
    On Sunday when Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale pushed the kid towards the away end to receive a standing ovation, Xhaka’s name had just finished blaring out.
    The Switzerland international famously clashed with supporters during a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace in 2019, which led to him being stripped of the captaincy by former boss  Unai Emery.
    He has come close to leaving the Emirates on more than one occasion but his relationship now with the Arsenal faithful is better than ever.
    Asked if he was emotional about fans chanting his name, Xhaka added: “Absolutely. I never ever thought one day this would happen, if I am being honest.
    “To be in front of them, to have them singing my name is very, very special and emotional. I always wanted that.
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    “I always wanted to give them something back after what happened. We were working a lot to try and change their minds of what they had for me and I am happy for what has happened. There is more to come from myself.
    “After what happened again three years ago, to be the captain and be in front of this team and to have the fans back me means a lot for me.” More