Arsenal transfer news

ARSENAL have been joined by Paris Saint-Germain in the race for Houssem Aouar but Mikel Arteta remains confident of landing the Lyon star.
The Gunners remain desperate to bring in the French playmaker, who is keen to leave the Ligue 1 side before the window closes on Monday.

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Paris Saint-Germain are interested in Arsenal target Houssem AouarCredit: Icon Sport – Getty

Yet according to French outlet L’Equipe, PSG President Al Khelaifi has devised a plan to sign Aouar in 2021.
The report adds that the club are unable to land the 22-year-old this summer due to financial restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Yet PSG, who are said to have met with the 22-year-old’s entourage at the beginning of the year, hope to agree a fee with their domestic rivals now ahead of a move next year.
Yet Arsenal boss Arteta revealed his confidence in the club’s approach to land their top target when asked about Aouar.
Speaking at his press conference on Friday, he said: “Well, I am very confident in what we are trying to do internally.
“[I am getting] clarity and support from everybody at the club to try and improve the team if we can.
“But most importantly as well, to get the right balance in the squad, for now and the way we want to evolve the squad in the future. We are all very much aligned.”

Arsenal had already faced competition for Aouar from Juventus, with Lyon admitting there was also interest from a third team.

Well, I am very confident in what we are trying to do internally
Mikel Arteta on Houssem Aouar

Speaking at a press conference, the club’s president Jean-Michel Aulas said: “We know that three big clubs are interested in him.
“Two in the short-term, one in the long-term. Not much has happened.
“All the clubs can’t give us financially what Lyon wants. We could see ourselves lose two players.”
Aulas had already warned the Gunners to up their offer for Aouar – given they splashed a club-record £72million on Nicolas Pepe last year.

Mikel Arteta’s side had a £32m bid rejected but the club are thought to be readying a new and improved offer before the window slams shut on October 5.
ESPN claims the French side value the former France Under-21 star at £55m but are ready to accept around £41m with bonuses.
And the Gunners had been warned they had until Friday to wrap up a deal for the player or he would not be allowed to leave for London Colney.

Houssem Aouar could be on his way to the Premier League with Arsenal favourites to land him More

ARSENAL are reportedly in shock talks to send William Saliba back out on loan amid interest from Rennes and a number of English clubs.
The Frenchman was tipped to take the Emirates by storm following his £28million arrival from St Etienne but is still waiting to make his Gunners debut.

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French club Rennes are interested in Arsenal defender William SalibaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

The 19-year-old, who has been compared to Virgil van Dijk, had been expected to form a new-look centre-back partnership alongside fellow Ligue 1 alumnus Gabriel Magalhaes.
But while the Brazilian has made a seamless transition to life in England, Saliba has been left out in the cold.
Further doubts about his future arose when the defender was left out of Arsenal’s 18-man squad for the Carabao Cup clash against Liverpool.
According to Ouest-France, Rennes are now in confirmed talks to bring Saliba straight back to Ligue 1.
‎Julien Stephan’s side desperately need to fill the void left by Joris Gnagnon and Jeremy Morel’s exit and were thought to be chasing Juventus outcast Daniele Rugani.
RMC report that Arsenal’s failure to flog other central defenders have led to them considering loaning out Saliba with a number of English and German sides also interested.
Yet a chance to return to his homeland and play Champions League football with Rennes could prove too enticing for Saliba following his difficult start at Arsenal.

Speaking at his press conference on Friday, Mikel Arteta said: “Well as I explained, the difficult year that the player had and the plan that we had for him, for the transition year, we could not achieve.

We are looking at different options to try to have the best possible development for the player
Mikel Arteta on William Saliba

“We are looking at different options to try to have the best possible development for the player and to protect our intentions with William for the future.
“We want to both be aligned and make the best decision for now and for the future.”
Arteta had previously hinted that the France U20 international needed another year to settle in after leaving him out of the penalty shoot-out win at Anfield.
The Spaniard said: “He had year last where Arsenal essentially loaned him to Saint-Etienne and that was a transition year for him.

“For many reasons, that wasn’t the transition year that he needed.
“He had a lot of injuries, he had some personal issues and obviously with COVID and the French league getting cancelled, he didn’t have that year, so he needs that year of transition.
“He needs that year of transition and we are trying to make the right decisions for him to make the best possible year of transition for him to have the player we want for our future.”

Mikel Arteta pairs William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes in Arsenal training More

ARSENAL have been warned to stump up the cash for Houssem Aouar after spending a club-record £72million on Nicolas Pepe last summer.
The Gunners remain desperate to bring in the French playmaker, who is keen to make the move to the Emirates before the window closes on Monday.

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Arsenal are continuing to chase Lyon star Houssem AouarCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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The French side are holding out for a bigger fee after seeing the Gunners break the bank for Nicolas Pepe Credit: Getty Images – Getty

Arsenal have already had a £32m bid rejected by Lyon for Aouar, with the North Londoners ready to make an improved offer imminently.
The French club’s president Jean-Michel Aulas has previously revealed the two clubs remain far apart in their valuations of the 22-year-old.
He claims Aouar is worth more than what Arsenal are prepared to pay and pointed out how much the Gunners shelled out for Pepe last year.
As reported by Get French Football, Aulas told Le Progres: “If Pepe is worth the price that they paid for him, then Houssem, who is an international player, is worth more than €30m.”
Pepe, 25, became Arsenal’s record-signing after sealing a £72m move from Lille in summer 2019 but has struggled with fitness and form.
The winger, who is yet to start in the Premier League this season, scored just five Prem goals in 31 appearances last term.
Lyon meanwhile have warned Arsenal they have until Friday to wrap up a deal to sign Aouar, or they will not be letting him go.

ESPN claim the French side value the former France under-21 star at £55m but are ready to accept around £41m with bonuses.

Arsenal are also thought to still be in the hunt for Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey.
The 27-year-old is said to be interested in a move to the Premier League – but his huge £45m release clause has made Aouar the preferred choice.
The Gunners know they have to offload a number of players if they are to afford either man and SunSport has revealed the eleven flops that could be on the chopping block.

Houssem Aouar could be on his way to the Premier League with Arsenal favourites to land him More