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    Arsenal in Youri Tielemans transfer boost with Leicester ‘set to slash £38m asking price and accept sale’

    LEICESTER are set to slash their £38million asking price for Youri Tielemans, according to reports.Tielemans, 25, has been heavily linked with a move away from the King Power Stadium this summer.
    Leicester are expected to lower their asking price for Youri TielemansCredit: Getty
    He has less than one year remaining on his current deal, so the Foxes are expected to cash in on him while they still can.
    And, according to Dutch outlet Het Nieuwsblad, as per Sport Witness, Leicester will now demand a smaller fee to get a deal done.
    Club chiefs had been eager to earn £38m from the sale, however, many potential suitors deemed the fee unrealistic.
    Tielemans is now expected to be sold for as little as £20m.
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    Last week, Brendan Rodgers hinted that the midfielder had become distracted by the prospect of a transfer.
    He left Tielemans out of Leicester’s starting line-up ahead of the club’s 2-1 defeat to Southampton on Saturday.
    He claimed that the Belgian was “not in the right mindset” to play.
    A number of Premier League clubs have been linked with a potential swoop for the midfielder including Manchester United and Liverpool.
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    But, Arsenal are claimed to be winning the transfer race.
    The Gunners have reportedly been working on a deal for Tielemans over the past year, but no official offer has been made yet.
    Mikel Arteta may be tempted to pull the trigger on a bid if the Belgian is available for a cut-price fee. More

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    Arsenal open talks with Gabriel Martinelli over new long-term deal on huge pay-rise after stunning start to season

    ARSENAL have reportedly opened talks with Gabriel Martinelli over a lucrative new long-term deal.Martinelli, 21, is set to receive a huge pay rise as he continues to impress at the North London club.
    Gabriel Martinelli has impressed so far this season and talks have begun on a lucrative new contractCredit: AFP
    His existing contract expires in the summer of 2024, with an additional option for the Gunners to extend by a year.
    However, PA Sport report that discussions have started to ensure the Brazilian stays at the Emirates for many years ahead.
    Mikel Arteta’s side have started the season in flying form, gaining nine points from their first three games.
    They opened their Premier League campaign with a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace with Martinelli scoring after just 20 minutes.
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    The winger got on the scoresheet once again when Arsenal swept past Leicester at the Emirates.
    And Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has compared the youngster to a former South American icon, striker Luis Suarez.
    When speaking on his channel, Rio said: “Martinelli, if he stays fit, this guy, I’ve told you this before what Arteta told me, he could be the next Suarez-type player.
    During a scene in Prime Video’s All or Nothing Arsenal series, first team coach Steve Round gushes about the forward’s prospects.
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    He tells sporting director Edu: “I love him, honestly, I love him.
    “Martinelli just needs time, that’s all. He’s a great kid.
    “He trains every day like it is his last day on earth. He is a diamond, he really is.” More

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    Arsenal star Oleksandr Zinchenko hails powerful message as football returns to war-torn Ukraine

    OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO will be watching as football resumes in Ukraine today – proud, defiant, but also a little worried.Arsenal star Zinchenko believes staging matches in his homeland for the first time since the Russian invasion in February will send an important message.
    Oleksandr Zinchenko says restarting football in Ukraine will show the country’s defiance.Credit: Getty
    But he acknowledges the danger that his compatriots will face simply by stepping on to the pitch.
    Ukraine international Zinchenko said: “It’s difficult for me to imagine how it’s going to be. 
    “If there are air-raid sirens, they are going to have to stop, so it’s going to be difficult. 
    “People are still suffering. We need to fight every single day. 
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    “I will be watching as many games as possible on TV.
    “It’s so important to show to the rest of the world that the Ukrainian people don’t give up, that in any situation they carry on.”
    No fans will be allowed and at least half of the 16 top-flight clubs in Ukraine will be unable to play at home, in some cases sharing stadiums in “safer” cities.
    But wherever they play, regulations require there to be an air-raid shelter for players, staff and match officials to escape to in the event of an attack.
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    And that is a very real danger: today is Ukraine’s National Flag Day and Russia is believed to be planning military action on such a symbolic occasion.
    Shakhtar Donetsk players are accustomed to being away from Donetsk. The club has been exiled from the eastern city since pro-Russian separatists in the Donbass region proclaimed independence in 2014.
    But the current situation is on a new, horrifying level as the club prepares to contest the opening match of the new season against Metalist 1925 in the Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kyiv. at 11am UK time.
    Shakhtar striker Lassina Traore, a Burkina Faso international and cousin of Aston Villa forward Bertrand, is one of only two overseas players not to have left the club since the war began.
    Sometimes we were under shelling. Certainly, it was terrifyingYuriy VernydubHead coach of Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih
    Traore said:  “Of course, I worry like everyone else, no one knows what is going to happen in the future. 
    “Now it is a little bit calm compared to the beginning, but the war is still going on.”
    No-one knows that better than Yuriy Vernydub, head coach of Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih.
    This time last year Vernydub was about to lead Moldovan side Sheriff Tiraspol into the Champions League group stage for the first time.
    His side would go on to pull off one of the competition’s great shocks by beating Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.
    But when Russia invaded Ukraine in February, Vernydub left his team preparing for a Europa League match in Portugal to return home and join the army.
    Vernydub was sent to an artillery unit on the frontline in the south of Ukraine.
    He said: “It was tough work from dusk till dawn.
    “Sometimes we were under shelling. Certainly, it was terrifying, especially the first several times, but as time went on it became commonplace.
    “Currently I combine serving in the army and coaching. 
    “But If I receive an order to go back, I will immediately do it.”
    Yuriy Vernydub went from coaching in the CL to fighting on the frontline.
    Overseas football has shown solidarity with Ukraine, with foreign-based players like Zinchenko receiving strong support from crowds.
    And the resumption of the game in the country itself will make a powerful statement at home and abroad.
    Dynamo Kyiv vice captain Viktor Tsygankov said: “As football players, we have to accept the risk of playing when any minute a missile can be launched by Russian forces and land anywhere. 
    “At the same time, I know that thousands of Ukrainian soldiers at the front line are football fans. They protect our lives at the expense of their health, their lives, therefore we have to support them from our side.
    “I’ll be happy if football becomes the thing that helps the Ukrainian people to forget even for a couple of hours about the terrible things that are happening in our country. 
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    “People in other countries are also struggling because of the consequences of this war. 
    “We must remind them that we are fighting not only for our freedom, which nobody can take from us, but probably for their future, too.” More

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    Arsenal flop Nicolas Pepe ‘wanted by Leicester in shock transfer’ as they look to pull off first major signing of summer

    LEICESTER are reportedly lining up a shock swoop for Arsenal outcast Nicolas Pepe.The 27-year-old is surplus to requirements at the Emirates and will be allowed to leave before the transfer window shuts.
    Nicolas Pepe seems certain to depart Arsenal before the transfer window closesCredit: Getty
    Ligue 1 side Nice have been heavily with bringing the winger back to France – three years after he left Lille to join Arsenal in a £72million deal.
    Pepe was left out of Mikel Arteta’s matchday squad on Saturday that beat Bournemouth 3-0 due to his talks with Nice over a loan deal.
    But it has now been claimed that the Ivory Coast international is a shock target for Leicester.
    According to Media Foot, the Foxes could look to hijack Nice’s move for Pepe as boss Brendan Rodgers looks to bolster his attack.
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    Though they fail to state whether the Midlands outfit are eyeing up a loan or a permanent move.
    Still, it is understood that Nice are in pole position to sign Pepe.
    There has also been talk that Arsenal will allow Pepe to join the French side on loan with a £15m option to buy clause.
    Commenting on the player, Arteta admitted that it is “possible” he could be heading out the door.
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    He recently said: “Until the end of the window, it’s possible that anything can happen with any player.
    “What we can communicate we always do when it’s the right moment.
    “We discussed that we have a big squad and we’ve made some decisions and allowed some players to leave.”

    Arsenal have already identified his replacement, with the club in talks with Wolves over wide man Pedro Neto.
    It is understood that Arsenal are prepared to offer as much as £35m for Neto.
    But Wolves are looking for at least £50m for the 22-year-old. More

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    Arsenal in talks to sign Pedro Neto and willing to offer £35m but Wolves want £50m for transfer

    ARSENAL are trying to negotiate a deal for Wolves winger Pedro Neto but will not be held to ransom for the Portuguese international.Manager Mikel Arteta has been looking to replace Nicolas Pepe all summer and has identified Neto as a potential signing.
    Pedro Neto has admirers at Arsenal who could bring him in to replace Nicolas PepeCredit: Getty
    But after being priced out of a deal for midfielder Ruben Neves earlier in the summer, Arsenal are wary of Wolves’ demands for their 22-year-old wide player.
    It is understood that Arsenal are prepared to offer as much as £35million for Neto, who arrived at Molineux in an £18m double transfer with Bruno Jordao when he joined from Lazio three years ago.
    But Wolves are looking for at least £50m despite just signing a ready replacement in £27.5m Goncalo Guedes.
    And that is a price which Arsenal are reluctant to pay after already spending £120m this summer on Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Fabio Vieira, Matt Turner and Marquinhos.
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    They are also resigned to taking a massive hit on Pepe, the £72m club record signing who is set to join Nice on loan with an option to buy next summer for around £15m.
    And Pepe’s imminent departure leaves Arteta short on competition for Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli with the extra demands of the Europa League this season.
    But Neto only signed a new Molineux five-year contract in March after missing most of last season with a serious knee injury.
    And boss Bruno Lage has made it clear that he wants to keep the player unless someone makes the kind of offer which the club cannot refuse.
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    With only ten days remaining before the transfer window closes, Arsenal do not want to get sucked into any last-minute buying.
    After winning their opening three games to top the Premier League for the first time in six years, Arteta says: “We know where we are short and where we have to add more firepower.
    “If we can do something we will do it, but it has to be the right player.
    We only want top quality, otherwise it’s not worth it.
    “If we don’t get anyone, I’ll be totally happy with the squad I have.”

    Arteta’s biggest issue right now is keeping everyone he already has on board happy after naming an unchanged team for their first three games.
    With Vieira, Emile Smith Rowe, Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu all now fully fit, Arsenal are almost spoiled for choice.
    And Arteta admits: “The first weeks of the competition are tricky because we’re only playing once a week.
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    “There’s no Europa League and no cup ties, so we’re going to have to manage the frustrations of players who sometimes are not even going to be in the squad.
    “But it’s a long season and everyone will have their opportunities.” More

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    How savvy Arsenal made £101m flogging deadwood but still have highest net transfer spend in bid to crack top-four

    SAVVY Arsenal have managed to save themselves a whopping £101million in the last two years by flogging a number of deadwood players.One of Mikel Arteta’s biggest jobs when he took charge in December 2019 was reducing the wage bill after inheriting an over-paid side.
    Arsenal boast the highest net spend from any Premier League season since last summerCredit: Reuters
    And slowly but surely the Spaniard has managed to save the Gunners a hefty sum of cash.
    According to football business Twitter account Swiss Ramble, Arsenal are £101m better off since the summer of 2021.
    This has been due to selling the likes of Joe Willock for £25m to Newcastle last year in what was their only major cash sale.
    Though the likes of Lucas Torreira and Ainsley Maitland-Niles were shipped out on loan to Fiorentina and Roma respectively where they received almost £2m in loan fees as well as having their wages covered.
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    Meanwhile David Luiz and Willian were released to save a combined £290,000-a-week in wages, with Sead Kolasinac and Calum Chambers allowed to join Marseille and Aston Villa on free transfers in January.
    And Arsenal paid former skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang £7m as they ripped up his contract to allow him to link up with Barcelona on a free earlier this year.
    It has been claimed that Arsenal have saved an incredible £16.1m in wages after the first year from releasing the 33-year-old.
    Moving onto this summer, Matteo Guendouzi was sold to Marseille for £9m, Torreira signed for Galatasaray in a £5m transfer and Bernd Leno joined Fulham in a deal rising to £8m.
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    Defenders Konstantinos Mavropanos and Daniel Ballard also departed on permanent deals to Stuttgart and Sunderland respectively for a combined £5m.
    In total, Swiss Ramble have stated estimated annual savings have come to £101m, with £62m saved in wages and £39m from player amortisation.
    But while Arsenal have saved a pretty penny, they have also splashed the cash with no Premier League side boasting a higher net spend in the last two seasons than them.
    Their net spend is a staggering £218m – £1m higher than London rivals Chelsea – though the Blues could overtake the Gunners before the transfer window slams shut on September 1.
    Big money signings include Ben White [£50m], Gabriel Jesus [£45m], Oleksandr Zinchenko [£32m], Fabio Vieira [£34m] and Martin Odegaard [£30m].
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    Their transfer activity has been a huge gamble for Arteta and technical director Edu as they look to bring Arsenal back to the Champions League for the first time since 2017.
    But their strategy appears to be working as they currently sit top of the table having won their opening three games of the season. More

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    Arsenal target Shakhtar ace Mudryk – nicknamed the Ukrainian Neymar – after Brentford fail in transfer bid

    ARSENAL are reportedly targeting a stunning transfer move for Shakhtar Donetsk ace Mykhaylo Mudryk.Foot Media claims the star – nicknamed the “Ukrainian Neymar” – has emerged as a late target for Mikel Arteta this summer.
    Arsenal are lining up a deal for Shakhtar Donetsk ace Mykhaylo MudrykCredit: Rex
    The Gunners boss remains convinced he needs an attack-minded central midfield added to his squad.
    Lucas Paqueta had been Arteta’s top target, but Arsenal have no intention of meeting Lyon’s £55million asking price.
    Mudryk is believed to be available for £17m in the final days of the transfer window.
    And Arsenal are now weighing up the possibility of making an offer for the talented 21-year-old.
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    Mudryk has made 26 appearances for Shakhtar, scoring twice.
    It’s not the first time he’s been wanted by a Premier League side, with Brentford having a bid rejected in January.
    Mudryk confirmed at the time that he was keen on joining the Bees, but would respect Shakhtar’s final decision.
    The ace declared: “I want to thank Brentford for the offers.
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    “To end up in the Premier League at 20-years-old is fantastic but the final decision is down to the club President.
    “Had the offer come in a year or 18 months ago, I wouldn’t have given it a second thought – I’d have asked the club to let me go without hesitation.
    “To end up in the Premier League, aged 20 is amazing. But since Srna & De Zerbi (Shakhtar coaches) took charge everything has changed. I have support.
    “I currently have a long contract and all of my thoughts are tied to Shakhtar. 
    “I will use all my power to help the side win in all competitions that we are taking part in.” More

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    Nicolas Pepe DROPPED from Arsenal squad to face Bournemouth with record signing in transfer talks with Nice over loan

    NICOLAS PEPE has been dropped from Arsenal’s squad to face Bournemouth.The Gunners’ record signing has not featured in either of their opening two Premier League matches against Crystal Palace and Leicester.
    Pepe has been linked with a loan move to Nice this summerCredit: Getty
    And he has now been discarded from Mikel Arteta’s squad altogether ahead of the clash at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday evening.
    Pepe has been linked with a loan move to Nice before the end of the summer transfer window.
    He is thought to be keen on leaving the Emirates in search of more game time, despite arriving for £72million in 2019.
    He has scored 27 goals in 112 appearances since joining from Lille three years ago.
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    But he has largely been a disappointment since coming to England with a big reputation.
    The Ivorian’s agent was allegedly spotted at Nice’s stadium over the weekend as he looks to secure a move for his client.
    If Pepe joins Nice he will team-up with former Arsenal star Aaron Ramsey.
    The club is owned by Jim Ratcliffe, who is interested in purchasing Manchester United, and he is splashing the cash this transfer window.
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    They have already signed Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel and remain keen on Blackburn striker Ben Brereton Diaz.
    Ratcliffe is using his British links to secure deals and bolster the squad as he aims to get them competing in the Champions League after narrowly missing out last season.
    Meanwhile, Arsenal can go top of the Prem table with a win over Bournemouth.
    Arteta’s men have started the campaign with back-to-back wins and will be looking to continue that form away at Scott Parker’s newly-promoted Cherries. More