6pm Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Aubameyang to SIGN new contract, Rafinha LINKED, PSG bid for Bellerin, Partey UPDATE – The Sun
ARSENAL are all set to confirm Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has signed a new three-year contract with the club.
Plus we've the very latest on the Thomas Partey saga as Mike Arteta looks to get his side in order ahead of the Premier League restart this weekend.
Sign up to play Dream Team 20/21 now
- It's completely free to play
- Play the tradtional Season game as well as Draft
- There's a hefty jackpot up for grabs across 2020/21
- SIGN UP TO PLAY HERE
Get all the latest news and transfer gossip from North London here…
FROM SUNSPORT'S MARTIN LIPTON
Prem players have agreed to dump the Black Lives Matter slogan in favour of a new anti-racism message.
The 20 club skippers confirmed SunSport’s report that the Black Lives Matters logo worn during last season’s restarted campaign will be replaced by the sleeve badge declaring “No Room For Racism”.
The badge will feature on all player and officials’ shirts throughout the season to “act as a constant reminder of the commitment by the Premier League, its clubs, players and PGMOL to eradicate racism”.
Players will continue to “take a knee” in support of the anti-racism movement, a gesture inspired by the death of American George Floyd at the hands of police in Minnesota earlier this summer.
PIE IN THE SKY
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's new contract will make him Arsenal's best-paid player.
But how do the rest of Mikel Arteta's squad compare?
Check out the mind-boggling figures below!
RIF RAF
Barcelona outcast Rafina is reportedly being eyed by Arsenal and Leeds.
The midfielder has returned to the Nou Camp after a loan at Celta Vigo.
But Sin Concesiones claims Ronald Koeman has no room for Rafinha in his squad.
The academy product is now available for just under £13million.
And both Arsenal and Leeds are keen on taking Rafinha to England.
ARSENAL FIXTURES
Here are the Gunners' games to open the season.
And their clashes against fellow 'Big Six' opponents.
PICK OF THE BUNCH
Dream Team 20/21 returns with you chance to win a huge SIX FIGURE cash prize by picking your perfect XI.
The most popular fantasy football game on the planet is back — and your chance for a monster cash prize is just one click away.
PLAY DREAM TEAM 20/21 TO WIN £100K NOW
FRESH THREADS
Kieran Tierney is enjoying Arsenal's new third kit.
In fact, he brought his special Tesco bag for life into the Emirates, just so he could take it home on the bus.
He posted on Instagram: “This is Arsenal. Family.”
BELLERIN BID FLOR-ED
Paris Saint-Germain will turn their efforts to signing Roma right-back Alessandro Florenzi, after Arsenal turned down their bid for Hector Bellerin.
PSG sporting director Leonardo is determined to act quickly and secure a new right-back after their defeat in the Champions League final.
But the Ligue 1 side’s offer to the Gunners was too low on Bellerin, so they’ve opted to go for the Italian instead, according to Fabrizio Romano.
DONE DEAL
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s new three-year contract is signed, sealed and sorted, according to David Ornstein.
He claims the deal was negotiated by Raul Sanllehi before he left the club and has been finalised by Edu and director of football operations Huss Fahmy.
Aubamaeyang will become Arsenal’s highest earner – leapfrogging Mesut Ozil.
AOUAR LATEST
Arsenal reportedly face competition from Manchester City in the race to prise Houssem Aouar away from Lyon this summer.
The 22-year-old has already been the subject of a player-plus-cash deal from the Gunners, but the offer was swiftly rejected by the Ligue 1 outfit.
Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has stated that the North London side remain keen on bringing him to the Emirates.
He tweeted: “Arsenal board [as Arteta too] are convinced that Houssem Aouar is a real ‘top player’.
“And Aouar would love to move to Premier League. But after refusing Guendouzi as part of the negotiation, OL don’t want to accept any swap deal.
“Price tag €60m (£55m) and no new bid yet from afc.”
PIC OF THE BUNCH
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s new £250,000-a-week contract at Arsenal will reportedly be announced in the next few days.
For now, check out these wonderful pictures the club have released (despite not yet announcing the contract).
FAN PLAN IN BALANCE
Prem boss Richard Masters has admitted he is in the dark over when fans will be allowed back into grounds, reports MARTIN LIPTON.
League chiefs had hoped to open all turnstiles from October 1 with a staged return of supporters for the first time since March.
Clubs including Spurs and Manchester United were keen to run trials of selected fans at their opening home game of the campaign this month.
But with the Government having banned “social” gatherings of more than six people and Doncaster races putting the final three days of the St Leger meeting behind closed doors, Masters was unable to say how it will affect Prem plans.
He said: “We are always subject to a government decision and they haven't made that decision yet.
“All I can say is that the Premier League and the Premier League clubs stand ready willing and able to continue with our test events and test proposals and open our turnstiles from October 1 if we are given permission to do so.”
LION OF SIGHT
Lionel Messi has come to the aid of a visually-impaired young Arsenal fan – by gifting him a pair of high-tech £4,200 glasses.
The charitable Barcelona superstar, 33, has teamed up with Israeli company OrCam to help blind and visually-impaired people around the globe.
OrCam have developed a MyEye device, which can assist people in reading text and identifying faces.
At £4,200, however, the device doesn't come cheap.
But now each year, Messi will gift a device to young people with inspirational stories.
And some of these kids will even get to meet the Argentine ace.
GOING, GOING, GUEN?
Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly considering a move for Matteo Guendouzi.
Arsenal are hoping to sell the Frenchman for £30million this summer to raise transfer funds.
According to Football London, PSG are plotting a move for the Gunners star.
Guendouzi played for the French side's academy from 2005 until 2014 when he left to join Lorient.
The Ligue 1 giants have been monitoring his progress ever since – but they are not the only club that want him.
Spanish side Valencia have held talks with Arsenal over a move for Guendouzi.
ANNOUNCE AUBA!
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's new contract is expected to be announced this week, with Arsenal fans expecting the Gabon star to stay at the Emirates.
The star striker's current deal expires in less than a year's time, but supporters have been left on tenterhooks all summer as to an announcement over the deal.
Aubameyang has dropped a series of hints since the Gunners won the FA Cup final as to whether he will be staying beyond next summer.
According to ESPN, Arsenal are expected to announce the new deal before the opening Premier League clash against Fulham on Saturday.
GOOD MORNING ARSENAL FANS
The Gunners are set to make a new bid for Lyon's Houssem Aouar.
Mikel Arteta has prioritised signing a midfielder this window but had a £31.2m PLUS player offer turned down by Lyon.
According to FabrizioRomano, Arsenal are in talks with Aouar's agent ahead of an improved bid.
But Lyon have made it clear they will not entertain anything lower than their £54.5m valuation.
And they are also not interested in any move involving a swap.
Elsewhere, Aston Villa are racing to sign Arsenal keeper Emiliano Martinez in time for their opening league match against Sheffield United next week.
Villa manager Dean Smith has identified Martinez as the solution to the club's goal-keeping problems, as Tom Heaton is out injured and Pepe Reina has joined Lazio.
They have launched a £20million bid for Martinez, after their initial offer was turned down as it fell short of the Gunners valuation.
Smith is optimistic of the deal going through as Martinez has rejected Arsenal's latest contract proposal.
And finally, the Gunners have thrown themselves into the race to sign Sporting Lisbon's 18-year-old Nuno Mendes – but they'll have to compete against Prem rivals Manchester United and Liverpool.
Portuguese outlet O Jogo reports the North London club are now the most interested Premier League side in the player.
Arsenal also face competition from AC Milan for the Portuguese starlet, with the Serie A side reportedly launching a bid worth £13.5million.
But Sporting are understood to be holding out for a much bigger sum – something that could derail Mikel Arteta's pursuit of the left-back.
LEAGUES BEHIND
Premier League clubs have been warned they are staring at a £1.25BILLION financial black hole.
And League chief Richard Masters admitted things will get even worse if, as now expected, turnstiles cannot be opened at all next month.
The Government is set to plunge cash-strapped EFL clubs into further chaos by cutting capacities at planned test events to 1,000.
Hopes that Prem gates would be partially opened to allow up to 25 per cent of fans inside grounds next month also seem doomed as the battle to prevent a second wave of Covid-19 intensifies.
And while the season will start as planned on Saturday, Masters admitted: “Our clubs lost £700million in 2019-20 and that creates significant difficulties.
“If we can only get 25 per cent of fans in this season it would cost another £547m.
“The longer that fans are outside the stadium in numbers, the more significant the financial impact on clubs.
“There is perhaps a perception that the Premier League can perpetually stage financial difficulties – but that isn’t the case.”
NO MES-SING
Mesut Ozil won over Arsenal fans online after mocking Tottenham's lack of silverware.
The German midfielder conducted a Q&A on Twitter and asked if he would rather play for Spurs or retire.
TOP GUNNER
Lionel Messi has come to the aid of a visually-impaired young Arsenal fan – by gifting him a pair of high-tech £4,200 glasses.
The charitable Barcelona superstar, 33, has teamed up with Israeli company OrCam to help blind
and visually-impaired people around the globe.
OrCam have developed a MyEye device, which can assist people in reading text and identifying faces.
At £4,200, however, the device doesn't come cheap.
But now each year, Messi will gift a device to young people with inspirational stories.
And some of these kids will even get to meet the Argentine ace.
The latest recipient of the life-changing gadget is Arsenal-mad ten-year-old Mikey from Enfield.
The Londoner will now become part of the “OrCam Dream Team”, along with other recipients of the £4,200 device.
OUT ON YOUR ARSE
Mesut Ozil has revealed his dream XI on social media – without including any current Arsenal team-mates.
JUDGEMENT DAY
RB Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann has conceded that defender Dayot Upamecano could leave the club next summer.
The talented Frenchman made his debut for Les Bleus over the weekend, and has been linked with the likes of Arsenal.
Nagelsmann, 33, refuted claims that Upamecano will depart in the coming weeks but he admitted that the deal could well happen next year.
He told ESPN: “He [Upamecano] will be here for the season. I'm sure about that. As for the future, I'm not sure as he is very talented.
“Lots of clubs will want to buy – next season it could be real that he leaves the club.
“But this season he will stay.”
LAC OF SENSE
Lyon have played down the prospect of Alexandre Lacazette returning to the club this summer.
In an interview with RMC Sport, sporting director Juninho said: “In January I called Alexandre Lacazette to chat a bit with him because he was having problems at Arsenal and I said to myself, 'Why not do a loan for six months with us where you will enjoy yourself, play all the games and score the goals like you know how to? And then you go back to Arsenal or somewhere else'.”
“But from the moment that you start looking at the level of the contract of these players, like with Juventus and Barcelona, it is not possible for us today.
“We have to be honest with the supporters. But if the player is looking for a project, is willing to make an effort maybe with a longer contract, wants to come home, then I will go and get him straight away.”
HOUSS THAT?
Arsenal are set to make a new bid for Lyon's Houssem Aouar.
The Gunners have prioritised signing a midfielder this window but had a £31.2m PLUS player offer turned down by Lyon.
According to FabrizioRomano, Arsenal are in talks with Aouar's agent ahead of an improved bid.
But Lyon have made it clear they will not entertain anything lower than their £54.5m valuation.
And they are also not interested in any move involving a swap.
GOOD FOR THE SOL
Sol Campbell's huge presence helped ease Cesc Fabregas' mum's fears when he first moved to Arsenal.
The Spanish midfielder moved to North London in 2003 when he was just 16 and left his mother Nuria in tears at the airport.
But a chance encounter with then England skipper Campbell helped put her mind at rest.
In an interview with Marca, she said: “I went to London after one month and while waiting for him [Fabregas] to come out, a 6ft tank came out wearing a fashionable beret.
“And then my little one appears. I ask him 'who is this?' and he says 'Sol Campbell, mum. He is the captain of England'.
“But he plays with you right? 'Yes he is a defender' he told me.
“That's great! Now I am calm.”
GAME OVER
Football fans’ hopes of returning to stadiums next month have been dashed due to the spike in Covid cases.
Clubs were due to let in a quarter of their stadium’s capacity from October 1 under plans to socially distance fans.
But Downing Street has put the plans on hold after government scientists deemed the prevalence of the virus was too high to let fans back so soon.
Some of the current sporting events that are carrying out pilots for the return of fans will still go ahead – such as horse racing, cricket and some football games.
However crowds for the pilot games will be capped at 1,000, Boris Johnson announced today.
The move delivers a major blow for millions of fans ahead of the start of the 2020/21 football season, which starts this weekend.
Mr Johnson said the Government will “revise plans to pilot larger audiences later this month” and they will review intention to allow audiences back to stadiums.
TOUGH START
Mikel Arteta is keen to drag Arsenal up the table after a disappointing 8th place finish in the Premier League last season.
It won't be an easy start though, with trips to Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United all pencilled in before the end of October.
Arsenal fans should be encouraged by their end of season run-in, however, which from here looks pretty comfortable.
Source: Read Full Article