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    Nicolas Pepe ‘closes in on Nice transfer to join ex-Arsenal star Aaron Ramsey after flop’s agent is spotted at stadium’

    ARSENAL flop Nicolas Pepe is reportedly closing in on a move to OGC Nice.That’s after his agent was spotted at the Ligue 1 side’s stadium at the weekend.
    Arsenal flop Nicolas Pepe is wanted by French side NiceCredit: Getty
    Arsenal icon Aaron Ramsey has already been snapped up by NiceCredit: Alamy
    The Mirror claims Nice, owned by British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, want Pepe to join their French revolution this summer.
    The club has been splashing out in a bid to challenge for silverware this season, with ex-Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani and Blackburn’s Ben Brereton-Diaz on their radar.
    And they have already completed a deal for ex-Arsenal icon Aaron Ramsey.
    Goalie Kasper Schmeichel also departed Leicester to join Nice this month.
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    And Ratcliffe, who failed in his attempt to succeed Roman Abramovich at Chelsea, wants to raid the Premier League again in a loan move for Pepe.
    Arsenal paid a club-record £72million to sign the forward, 27, from Lille in 2019.
    But Pepe has managed just 27 goals in 112 games, and is now firmly second-choice to academy hero Bukayo Saka.
    The Ivory Coast international has been linked with a move to Newcastle.
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    And Leeds are also thought to be interested.
    But it is unlikely Pepe would snub a return to France, where he starred for Angers and Lille.
    Nice could also be able to offer continental football, but must first get past Maccabi Tel-Aviv in their Europa Conference League qualifier.
    The French side finished fifth in Ligue 1 last season, just five points off second-place Marseille.
    And Ratcliffe hopes a major effort in the transfer market can help close the gap this term. More

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    The fall and rise of Granit Xhaka and how divisive Arsenal midfielder has won back his position and respect under Arteta

    WITH the Arsenal fanbase still basking in the exhilarating football played by their team on Saturday, there are so many aspects to dissect.However, I have chosen a subject that is still, even now, dividing the fanbase – the renaissance of Granit Xhaka.
    Granit Xhaka still splits opinionCredit: Reuters
    I try not to have favourites in the squad, but it would be fair to say, that if I did, the Swiss has seldom been amongst them since his arrival.
    That said my issues were never with his ability, but more the attributes for the position he was asked to play.
    No one can ever question his passing range and vision but being less then quick when frequently asked to play as the deeper midfielder, particularly when a player is prone to a rash challenge, was always liable to cause issues.
    It was the vocal fan criticism of Xhaka while club captain when being asked to play as a defensive midfielder that led to the infamous incident against Crystal Palace.
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    It seemed extremely unlikely, as that when he stormed off the pitch discarding the armband in a fit of rage, that there was a long-term future for the Swiss in North London.
    After playing his way back into the side under new boss Mikel Arteta, Xhaka appeared to try and force a move to Roma in the summer of 2021 – and once again a rosy future at Arsenal did not seem possible.
    Yet here we are just over a year later and the Xhaka has not left, instead extending his contract and being named one of two vice-captains by Arteta.
    Even now, our fanbase are arguing about whether the club should replace him with Leicester’s Youri Tielemans.
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    Barring his awful red card away at Man City, Xhaka maintained his discipline far better in 21-22 – but the real reason for his change of fortune and form, in my view, has been the new role he has been given.
    Playing Thomas Partey as a sole No6 in an altered and flexible 4-1-2-3 and moving Xhaka to a more advanced left-sided No8 role has played to his strengths, while leaving his weaknesses less likely to be exposed.
    He is more involved in the team’s attacking play, using his eye for an incisive pass and being less worried about making advanced runs, witness the saved header and goal against Leicester.
    Some fans will argue that Arsenal can source a better, younger left No8, more suited to the age profile of Arteta’s new team and it would be hard to argue with that view.
    But the team has to balance that longer term plan, which will see the team evolve together, with a sprinkling of older, experienced heads and Granit Xhaka is the club’s senior statesman.
    This is obviously why the manager has, after a three-year break, given his trusted player official responsibility once more.
    That said I believe Xhaka’s continued presence in the team is about far more than his seniority and everything about his reading of the game and his willingness to adapt and sacrifice himself for the team balance.
    You only have to watch the way Oleksandr Zinchenko moved into midfield as soon as the ball was played out of our defence, to know that the Swiss is trusted by his manager to drop back and cover without instruction.
    Indeed, the relationship on the pitch between the Ukrainian and Xhaka belied the fact it is only two competitive matches old.
    Like his manager later in his career, Xhaka just seems to know when he needs to fill in for a colleague who has advanced past him in a given attack.
    It may be that Albert Sambi Lokonga or Fabio Vieira will compete with our senior midfielder for the left No8 role but in my view, Granit Xkaha will not be relinquishing his first-choice role anytime soon.
    He is trusted by his manager, valued by his team-mates and most importantly, has the football brain for the flexible, fluid style Arteta wishes to play.
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    Vitally, his new advanced role will not leave his lack of mobility and moments of rashness exposed.
    It really seems that the renaissance of Granit Xhaka is complete, and I take my hat off to him.
    Follow Dave Seager on Twitter @goonerdave66
    Xhaka will be a difficult man to dislodgeCredit: Rex More

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    Arsenal and Man Utd set for Moises Caicedo transfer battle with Brighton star wanted in last-minute summer move

    MANCHESTER UNITED and Arsenal are reportedly set to battle it out for Brighton star Moises Caicedo.The wonderkid has enjoyed a stellar start to the new Premier League season.
    Man Utd and Arsenal are keen on Brighton’s Moises CaicedoCredit: AP
    And the Mirror claims both United and Arsenal are interested in signing Caicedo before deadline day.
    The Ecuador international, 20, starred in Brighton’s opening day win over United at Old Trafford.
    Caicedo also caught the eye in Saturday’s draw against mega-rich Newcastle.
    And his performances late on last season have also been taken into account by suitors.
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    United passed up the chance to sign Caicedo in January before Brighton swooped in.
    But Erik ten Hag is in dire need of midfield reinforcements.
    And he could be set to sanction a bid for Caicedo as he also tries to land Juventus’ Adrien Rabiot.
    Arsenal are also considering a new midfielder too as doubts remain over Albert Sambi Lokonga’s future.
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    Mikel Arteta has put his trust in an impressive young Arsenal squad, and Caicedo has the quality to challenge for a starting role immediately.
    However, United and Arsenal face stiff competition if they do make formal offers.
    West Ham are eager after losing out to Everton in the race for Amadou Onana.
    There are also suitors on the continent, with Atletico Madrid, Juventus and Bayer Leverkusen registering their interest.
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    But Brighton are under no pressure to sell Caicedo, having pocketed £63million from Marc Cucurella’s move to Chelsea.
    They also sold Yves Bissouma for over £25m for Spurs, and Graham Potter is looking to maintain the rest of his squad this window. More

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    Barcelona ‘line up Hector Bellerin free transfer’ with Arsenal outcast seen as cheap option for right-back slot

    BARCELONA are lining up Hector Bellerin as an option to fill in their squad’s right-back slot.Bellerin is out of favour at Arsenal and is pushing for a move away from the club for a fresh start.
    Hector Bellerin wants out at ArsenalCredit: Getty
    And this could come in the form of a move to Barcelona, who are now considering the Spaniard as a cheap option due to him being available on a free transfer, according to Mundo Deportivo.
    While Barcelona have activated a number of “economic levers” to bring players in this summer, departures remain a necessity.
    Among those earmarked to leave the club is full-back Sergino Dest, who Manchester United and Chelsea are targeting in a potential £17million move.
    Bellerin would represent a cost-effective and natural replacement for the Dutch-born American.
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    Dest has struggled to live up to expectations at the Nou Camp following his move from Ajax in 2020.
    Therefore, Bellerin, who was on loan at Real Betis last season, could come into the Barca set-up to replace the outgoing Dest for a fraction of the price.
    It has also now emerged Bellerin wants Arsenal to TERMINATE his £110,000 per week contract so he can make a return to Spain
    Bellerin was one time a part of Barcelona’s youth academy, but left for Arsenal in 2011.
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    For many years Bellerin looked set to be a star for the future, with his dazzling speed a deadly weapon for The Gunners across a number of campaigns.
    However, a cruciate ligament injury in 2019 saw Bellerin’s career stall until he was granted a loan move to Betis, where he made 32 appearances. More

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    Hector Bellerin wants Arsenal to TERMINATE £110k-a-week contract and let him join Real Betis on free transfer

    HECTOR BELLERIN wants Arsenal to terminate his contract and allow him to leave for nothing.The 27-year-old Spanish international does not figure in Mikel Arteta’s plans but still has 12 months remaining on his £110,000-a-week deal.
    Hector Bellerin wants his contract ripped up so he can leave for freeCredit: Getty
    He is keen to return to Real Betis after his successful season on loan with his boyhood club last season.
    And former club Barcelona are also monitoring his situation after failing to secure a deal with Chelsea for right-back Cesar Azpilicueta.
    But both Spanish clubs are struggling to balance their books and insist they cannot afford to pay a fee for Bellerin.
    And with just two weeks of the transfer window remaining, Arsenal’s longest-serving current player fears he could be stuck in limbo.
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    So now his representatives are in talks with Arsenal in a bid to break the deadlock.
    And they are hoping that the prospect of wiping £5.7million off their annual wage bill will be enough to convince the club to let him go.
    Bellerin, who joined Arsenal from Barcelona’s academy in 2011, has seen how Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mesut Ozil, Shkodran Mustafi and Sead Kolasinac have all been paid to leave the Emirates in the past two years.
    But he would be prepared to walk away without a penny if it helps him to secure a return to Spain.
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    Arsenal, though, are already smarting after being forced to slash their asking price to get rid of Lucas Torreira, Bernd Leno and Pablo Mari as part of Arteta’s summer clear-out.
    And at the moment they are still holding out for some kind of transfer fee, even if it is nowhere near the £18million they were demanding for the player last summer.
    Yet both Betis and Barcelona are prepared to wait until transfer deadline day on September 1, convinced that Arsenal will eventually allow Bellerin to leave as a free agent rather than continuing to pay him without ever playing him. More

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    Fans are all saying the same thing after Arsenal chief Edu ‘spotted boarding Ryanair plane to Spain’

    ARSENAL transfer chief Edu has set tongues wagging after he was apparently spotted jetting to Spain to complete a transfer.The Gunners are in the hunt for Villarreal ace Yeremy Pino, along with Liverpool.
    Edu has sent Arsenal fans in a frenzy after he was apparently spotted boarding a flight to SpainCredit: MatchDay Images Limited
    A man that appeared to be Edu was spotted lining up to board a flight to Valencia on RyanairCredit: Twitter
    And Arsenal supporters were adamant that he was going to finalise the signing of Villarreal ace Yeremy PinoCredit: Twitter
    Reports suggest the Gunners have tabled a £33m bid for the winger.
    The North Londoners were handed a huge pursuit in the race for Pino after Villarreal boss Unai Emery admitted they might have to sell him if the right bid comes along.
    Pino would be a welcome addition to Arsenal’s new-look attack, spearheaded by Gabriel Jesus who scored a brace against Leicester City as the Gunners clinched their second win of the season.
    Now fans reckon Edu’s en route to Spain to finalise the deal for Pino.
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    A man at least resembling the Arsenal supremo was spotted boarding a Ryanair flight to Valencia on Sunday, on Twitter.
    And a Twitter user insisted Edu was planning to briefly stop in Valencia before travelling to Villarreal to bring Pino back to the Emirates.
    They wrote: “Quick flight to Valencia, followed by a private car to Villarreal which is roughly 35miles away.
    “Face to face discussions required with Yeremy and his family to talk about the future.”
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    Although another user claimed Edu’s family’s on holiday in the region, and he was going to join them.
    But Ryanair further flanned the flames by retweeting the image, and saying: “Edu, PINO(t) on the return flight?”
    Edu’s already made it clear that Arsenal are still intent on bringing in more players before the transfer window closes.
    It was thought the Gunners were keen on recruiting Leicester City ace Youri Tielemans this summer.
    But fresh reports claim they may be willing to wait until next summer to sign the Belgium international on a free transfer. More

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    Arsenal ‘in talks with Youri Tielemans agents for months’ but still yet to make offer for ace who’s free next summer

    ARSENAL have reportedly been in talks with Youri Tieleman’s agent for several “months” – but they’ve yet to make an offer for the Leicester ace.Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is eager to add the creative midfielder to his squad before the transfer window shuts at the end of the month.
    Arsenal have been in talks with Youri Tielemens’ agents for monthsCredit: GETTY
    The Gunners have reportedly not made a bid for the BelgianCredit: REX
    Brendan Rodgers has revealed the Foxes have yet to receive an offer for the midfielderCredit: PA
    And the Arsenal brass are said to have been laying the foundations for a summer swoop for the Belgian for the last few “months”.
    Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano said: “As for Tielemans and how this is all affecting him – my understanding is that he is a great guy, an excellent professional, and someone who is only focused on the present.
    “Of course, he would like a top club. Arsenal have been in contact with his agents for months but have never submitted an official proposal yet.
    “Tielemans remains a name on the Gunners’ list but surprises cannot be ruled out.”
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    Tielemans, 25, has one year left on his contract at the King Power Stadium but has shown no sign of extending his stay in the Midlands.
    But the Foxes are reportedly not in a rush to sell the Belgium international.
    In fact, they’re willing to let him run down his contract and leave on a free transfer next summer.
    Manager Brendan Rodgers told The Times: “It’s not ideal but it’s happened before — players have left here for free before.
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    “He wouldn’t be the first one, but at this moment in time it’s about keeping an eye on the team and the squad, making sure they are ready.
    “The club will be negotiating and talking with the players’ representatives across the squad.
    “Thus far, there’s no change in Youri’s situation, there’s no offers. So he’s just continuing to work well and get himself right at this early part of the season.
    “Youri is a top international so every game he plays, in actual fact every training session Youri plays, he is trying to be the best player he can.
    “There is a lot of speculation about him but he looks to prove a point in every single game he plays.”
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    Tielemens and his Leicester team-mates will be back in action next Saturday against Southampton.
    Arsenal, meanwhile, will travel to the Vitality Stadium to take on Bournemouth.
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    Arsenal player ‘dressed up as a woman in sexy lingerie while wearing lipstick in X-rated Babestation video call’

    AN ARSENAL footballer allegedly paid a Babestation dominatrix £1,000 to let him wear lipstick and dress up as a woman during a kinky call.Chloe Gray has gone from being 10p overdrawn to now owning a Range Rover due to her success in dominating men.
    Chloe Gray is a hugely successful Babestation dominatrixCredit: Instagram @chloe.grey.babestation
    She has revealed how an Arsenal player paid her to let him wear lipstick and dress up as a womanCredit: Instagram @chloe.grey.babestation
    The 27-year-old, from Dorset, has now revealed that one of her clients was a Premier League ace for Arsenal.
    And she insisted that being asked to humiliate the unnamed Gunners footballer was all just part of the job.
    Speaking to the Daily Star, Chloe said: “Nothing really surprises me because they call me the queen of fetishes and there’s nothing really that I don’t cover.
    “Nothing shocks me because I’ve been doing this for so many years and it’s become more of a hobby than a job.
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    “It’s always the high-end people like lawyers, footballers and police officers who call up.”
    Recalling the memorable video call with the Gunners ace, Chloe continued: “He spent around £1,000 and he wanted to dress up like a girl.
    “He had a full set of white lingerie on and he had full blown lipstick, a wig, the works.
    “With the footballers calling in I always think it’s crazy how they can go from having such a high-powered job and being so professional to then in their private lives being in front of a screen for something that is a complete taboo.”
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    Another Babestation model, Jess West, previously told the Daily Star, how footballers call her sex line with some mistaking her for an escort.
    The Essex babe said: “I’ve had famous people call me on Babestation and you get footballers, particularly the younger generation, calling up and saying they play for so and so.
    “They ask how much it would be to book me and I’m always like ‘you can’t book me, this is phone sex’.
    “It was always the footballers who would call and straight away drop in who they are.
    “They say things like, ‘oh you are so beautiful I just couldn’t help but talk to you’ and they ask to go on a date. Again I say it’s phone sex, it’s not like that.
    “But because they are footballers and we are on the TV and a lot of us are models they just think ‘oh I like her’ as if it’s a catalogue they can choose from.”
    Gray insisted that she was not fazed at all by the player’s saucy callCredit: Instagram @chloe.grey.babestation More