Arsenal 'ready to sign Sterling', Gabriel Jesus in talks, Aaron Hickey deal 'edges' closer – transfer latest
ARSENAL are exploring the possibility of luring Manchester City's Raheem Sterling to the Emirates according to reports.
Mikel Arteta is keen on taking the England international under his wing again having worked with Sterling during his assistant role under Pep.
Meanwhile, the Gunners are confident Youri Tielemans this summer, SunSport can reveal.
But Real Madrid are waiting in the wings for the Leicester man if the Gunners fail to reach the top four.
Elsewhere, Gabriel Jesus' switch from Manchester to North London has become a lot more imminent since Erling Haaland completed his medical with Man City.
And Aaron Hickey's deal to Arsenal is reportedly edging closer with Arteta looking to bolster his full-back options next season.
Keep up to date with all of the latest updates from the Emirates in our live blog…
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- Etienne Fermie
Good morning Arsenal fans
Juventus are interested in signing Arsenal ace Thomas Partey and could offer Arthur in exchange, according to reports.
Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri is eager to bolster his side’s midfield, having failed to seriously contest the Serie A title race this term.
Meanwhile, Eddie Nketiah is alongside Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins as transfer targets for top six chasing West Ham.
Hammers boss David Moyes is desperate to add competition for Michail Antonio this summer having failed to do so in January.
In other news, Arsenal are reportedly closing in on the signing of Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus in what promises to be a busy summer at the Emirates.
Commenting on the potential deal, Brazilian journalist Andre Hernan has stated that talks are at an advanced stage, with negotiations “really happening”.
Elsewhere, Antonio Conte reckons it’s a good time for his Tottenham team to get three points against Arsenal.
He said before the North London Derby this week: “I think this could be a good chance for us to get three points against their whole team because if we played in January they were without many players because there were committed at the African Cup [of Nations] and injuries.
“I think football is wonderful. Also this type of game it’s right to play with two teams and all the players available.”
Finally, Arsenal will NOT be able to call upon forward Folarin Balogun against Tottenham on Thursday despite recalling him from his loan spell at Middlesbrough.
The 20-year-old youngster’s stint with the North Yorkshire outfit came to an end following the conclusion of the regular Championship season last weekend.
But despite returning to Arsenal, Football London are reporting that he will not be eligible to play against Spurs.
This is because “no player will be permitted to return outside of a window and play first-team football”.
The only way in which a player can circumnavigate this ruling is the “early recall of a goalkeeper in exceptional circumstances”.
- Justin Lawrence
Piers Morgan on Haaland transfer
Piers Morgan has lamented Erling Haaland's transfer to Man City.
Morgan wrote on Twitter after news broke of Haaland's Etihad switch: "So jealous. What a brilliant player, what a great signing."
He then pointed out that Arsenal flop Nicolas Pepe cost more than the Norwegian.
Morgan added: "City got Haaland for £10m LESS than Arsenal paid for Pepe."
- Justin Lawrence
Arsenal desperate for Nketiah stay
Arsenal are fighting desperately to keep Eddie Nketiah at the club, according to reports.
According to The Mirror, the Gunners are "pulling out all the stops" in a bid to convince the young forward that his career lies at the Emirates.
Nketiah has held more talks with Arsenal, with Arteta said to be "desperate to hang on to the forward".
- Justin Lawrence
Sheringham gives Arsenal verdict
Teddy Sheringham reckons Arsenal haven't got what it takes to bet Tottenham.
Sheringham said: “I wouldn’t say they are capable of being street-smart.
“They have a very inexperienced squad who are learning as they go along. They play some outstanding football.
“But whether they have the nous to play clever and frustrate Tottenham, I’m not so sure."
- Justin Lawrence
Keown makes Spurs claim
Martin Keown has claimed he WOULDN'T take a single Tottenham player at Arsenal.
The former Gunners defender made the bizarre statement ahead of Thursday's mammoth north London derby.
He wrote in the Daily Mail: "It would be easy for me to name Harry Kane, but as an Arsenal man, I don't want to take anything away from my team.
"This close to the battle, I'm focusing on my club, so there's not a single Tottenham player I'd take."
- Justin Lawrence
Arsenal in Balogun blow
Arsenal will NOT be able to call upon forward Folarin Balogun against Tottenham on Thursday despite recalling him from his loan spell at Middlesbrough.
The 20-year-old youngster's stint with the North Yorkshire outfit came to an end following the conclusion of the regular Championship season last weekend.
But despite returning to Arsenal, Football London are reporting that he will not be eligible to play against Spurs.
This is because "no player will be permitted to return outside of a window and play first-team football".
The only way in which a player can circumnavigate this ruling is the "early recall of a goalkeeper in exceptional circumstances".
- Justin Lawrence
Arsenal tie down Miedema
Vivianne Miedema could be set to extend her Gunners career despite speculation linking her with a summer switch to Barcelona.
The WSL star, whose current Arsenal contract expires this year, is reportedly close to a one-year extension, according to The Athletic.
It has been reported an announcement regarding a potential new deal could be made later this week.
The Netherlands star is said to have been seen doing some filming at the club.
The news comes two days after Gunners’ chief Jonas Eidevall told reporters the club were doing their ‘best’ to try and persuade their star striker to remain with his side.
- Justin Lawrence
Conte on Arsenal challenge
Spurs boss Antonio Conte is expecting a difficult match against Arsenal.
Conte said: "It won’t be easy. “We are talking about a really good team, a well organised team. I think Arteta is doing a really good job.
“He’s been in charge for two-and-a-half years and he’s had the chance to work and improve his team.
“But at the same time to be in this position, for us at this moment of the season has to give us a big push to try and get three points.”
- Justin Lawrence
Spurs to beat Arsenal?
Arsenal will LOSE the North London Derby to Spurs.
That's the bold claim made by ex-footballer Jonathan Woodgate.
He told Britishgambler.co.uk: "Yep. Spurs beat Arsenal. I’m not saying that because I’m an ex-Spurs player, but because I watched them away from home against Liverpool, but if they counter attack like they did against Liverpool, they’ll win against Arsenal.
"Their counter is so aggressive, and so good. I don’t see who can deal with Son, Kane and Kulusevski. The power of those three players will be the driving force.
I don’t think either team will be scared of each other because they’re fighting for one place. Back in the day with hHenry, Petit, Overmards, Pires – it was pure speed. I think Spurs will beat Arsenal and get the Champions League."
- Justin Lawrence
Arsenal receive praise
Arsenal have been praised for sticking with Mikel Arteta through the tough times this season.
The dues were paid by retired footballer Jonathan Woodgate who told Britishgambler.co.uk: "What arsenal have done really well is sticking with Arteta when it has been tough, at the start of the season and got beat in the first three but they stuck by him.
"I like Arteta and think he’s done a great job, and look what they’re creating by sticking with him. Nketiah, Martinelli, Saka, Smith-Rowe.
"It’s brilliant and fans wanna see that young energy coming through."
- Justin Lawrence
Conte anticipates Arsenal clash
Antonio Conte reckons it's a good time for his Tottenham team to get three points against Arsenal.
He said before the North London Derby this week: "I think this could be a good chance for us to get three points against their whole team because if we played in January they were without many players because there were committed at the African Cup [of Nations] and injuries.
"I think football is wonderful. Also this type of game it's right to play with two teams and all the players available."
- Alex Cole
Arsenal 'real talks' with Gabriel Jesus
Arsenal are reportedly closing in on the signing of Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus in what promises to be a busy summer at the Emirates, writes Jake Lambourne.
It appears that the Gunners are stepping up their pursuit of Brazilian forward Jesus.
The 25-year-old could be allowed to depart the Etihad to avoid losing him on a free transfer with his contract to expire in 2023.
Commenting on the potential deal, Brazilian journalist Andre Hernan has stated that talks are at an advanced stage, with negotiations "really happening".
Speaking on the BTS show on YouTube channel Camisa 21, he remarked: "There’s this story of Gabriel Jesus leaving City and going to Arsenal.
"It’s real, it’s (talks) really happening. I think he’s a great player.
"I think he’s an extremely intelligent player in terms of tactics and I think he was very badly beaten in the cup.
"A guy Guardiola thinks is great isn’t just any player."
He added: "At Arsenal, maybe he becomes the protagonist. He gets there at a different stage."
- Alex Cole
Arsenal target Adarabioyo talks over new deal at Fulham
Fulham have opened talks over a new deal for Tosin Adarabioyo to ward off any Arsenal interest this summer.
The defender, 24, played almost every game as Marco Silva's side won the Championship title at a canter but has just one year remaining on his current contract.
Silva is now keen for the club to quickly tie the towering centre-back down to a fresh long-term deal – despite being "wanted" by Arsenal.
Given his Premier League experience, having played 33 games during Fulham's last top-flight campaign, rivals may see the former Manchester City man as a bargain option this summer.
Fulham, however, are determined to keep Adarabioyo at the heart of their back line as they look to break the yo-yo cycle of promotion and relegation in recent years.
- Alex Cole
Eddie Nketiah Ghana switch
Eddie Nketiah and Callum Hudson-Odoi are set to switch from England to Ghana ahead of the 2022 World Cup, reports suggest.
That is according to Football London, who claim that both players have been convinced to link up with the African nation, for which they are eligible to play.
Arsenal ace Nketiah, 22, leads the Three Lions’ Under-21 all-time scoring list with 16 goals in 17 appearances but has never played for the senior team.
Chelsea star Hudson-Odoi, 21, on the other hand, has only amassed three caps as a teenager.
A FIFA rule change in 2020 allows players with no more than three international appearances to change their allegiance if those caps came before their 21st birthday.
Therefore, both players can complete the switch, which would boost their hopes of playing in the winter’s World Cup in Qatar.
The Ghanaians have advanced for the tournament and will face off against Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea in Group H.
- Alex Cole
Nketiah on the Hammers transfer shortlist
Eddie Nketiah is alongside Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins as transfer targets for top six chasing West Ham, writes Jack Rosser.
Hammers boss David Moyes is desperate to add competition for Michail Antonio this summer having failed to do so in January.
Moyes is exploring a number of options this summer with centre-forward a priority having missed out on Benfica’s Darwin Nunez and Atalanta’s Duvan Zapata on deadline day during the last window.
Chelsea striker Armando Broja, who has impressed on loan at Southampton, is well liked at the London Stadium while Arsenal’s Nketiah has been linked.
- Alex Cole
Juve having a Partey
Juventus are interested in signing Arsenal ace Thomas Partey and could offer Arthur in exchange, according to reports.
Boss Massimiliano Allegri is eager to bolster his side's midfield, having failed to seriously contest the Serie A title race this term, writes Etienne Fermie.
The Italian is reshaping Juve's squad ahead of another push next season.
Credit: Rex According to AS, he sees Partey as a "strong" option to improve his side.
The Ghanaian has been in excellent form for the Gunners this term.
Partey, 28, is reportedly valued at around £30million – a drop on the £45m they paid Atletico Madrid for him in 2020.
Juve are willing to sweeten the deal by throwing in midfielder Arthur.
Arsenal were "keeping tabs" on the Brazilian in January, although a move failed to materialise.
- Alex Cole
Palace set to agree new deal with Olise
Crystal Palace are set to agree a new deal with Arsenal target Michael Olise to ramp his price up above £50million, writes Jack Rosser.
The winger, 20, has been a sensation since his £8m move from Championship side Reading last summer.
London-born Olise, a France Under-21 international, has hit four goals and laid on eight assists this term — and his form is attracting attention from Prem rivals.
Michael Olise has been impressive under boss and former Gunner Patrick Vieira this campaign and has earned a new contract.
The Eagles have already rebuffed several approaches and are now planning to agree a one-year extension to his initial five-year deal.
That would keep him at Selhurst Park until June 2027.
Olise’s new Crystal Palace contract will see his release clause rocket from £35m to £50m-plus.
The likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, Lille and Bayern Munich were all said to be interested in Olise earlier in the campaign.
- Alex Cole
Mourinho gives green light for Abraham amid Arsenal interest
Mourinho told Sky Sports: “Against Leicester he was absolutely amazing and at this moment I joke and say 'I refuse to praise him' because he can always do better.
“He knows how happy I am. He knows how much I love the kid and the player and I'm proud of what we are doing and I'm so happy for Tammy.
“We have got into this situation where I demand a lot from him because I know he can do amazingly well.”
He continued: “I don't think it's an easy decision for a young player to leave his club, his house, his city, his country and to leave the Premier League which is of course a competition that when a player is in its hard to leave.
“He took that option and I think he took it because he trusted me. And I think in this moment, if he wants to go back to England – I don't think he wants to no – but if he wants to go back to England he just needs to click his fingers and I'm so happy for him.
“He's back in the national team and is loved in Rome.
"I don't say proven everybody wrong, because I think everyone knows he's a good player and I think also, with Smalling, Tomori and Tammy, showing the English boys that there is life outside the Premier League and in Italy there's a life that makes them even better players.”
- Alex Cole
Tammy to return in Gunners plot?
Jose Mourinho says Tammy Abraham just has to “click his fingers” and he can return to the Premier League from Roma, writes GARY STONEHOUSE.
The England striker, 24, has enjoyed a record breaking first season in Italy since he left boyhood club Chelsea to reunite with his ex Blues boss last summer.
Abraham, who cost £34m, scored his ninth goal in the Uefa Conference League last week to down Leicester City in the semi-final to reach the final.
That was his 25th in all competitions – making him the first Englishman to reach that figure this term.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is believed to be one of those keen on launching a big-money move to sign him once the current campaign is over.
- Alex Cole
Bergkamp's Birthday
Happy Birthday Dennis Bergkamp!
Bergkamp, 53 today, and Thierry Henry were all smiles watching their old club deliver a knockout blow against Manchester United a couple of weeks ago.
The Arsenal legends were spotted in the Emirates Stadium stands watching the Gunners take on the Red Devils in a must-win match for a top four spot.
And today, the club tweeted congratulations to the Dutch superstar.
- Alex Cole
Champions League a 'big thing' for Odegaard
Victory in Thursday’s North London derby away to Spurs would guarantee Champions League qualification for the first time since 2016 after 19 consecutive years in football’s top club competition.
And Martin Odegaard is desperate to get another crack at Europe’s elite after his tantalising taste of the big-time 18 months ago.
For while the Norwegian playmaker officially spent six years as a Real Madrid player, he only managed two cameo appearances in the Champions League group stage against Inter Milan and Shakhtar Donetsk before signing for Arsenal last year.
He says: “I’ve played a couple of games there but don’t feel like I’ve really been part of it.
“I want to really get involved in there and fight for the Champions League.
"That’s where the best teams want to be so of course qualification would be a big thing for me and for Arsenal.”
Arsenal are now in pole position to secure a top four finish following a run of four consecutive victories against Chelsea, Manchester United, West Ham and Leeds.
- Alex Cole
No Lautaro
Gunners transfer target Lautaro Martinez has no intention of leaving Inter Milan this summer.
That’s according to the Argentine’s agent, Alejandro Camano who claims his client is happy in Milan despite reports in the media linking him with a Prem move.
Camano said, via Football Italia: “Sometimes the media publishes stories about his possible transfer, but Lautaro is only focused on Inter, giving the fans joy and making them champions again, then he can start preparing for the World Cup with Argentina.
“We are not expecting or looking for a transfer. He is at Inter, he is happy, the city is wonderful. We are thinking only of Inter.”
- Etienne Fermie
Good morning Arsenal fans
Arsenal hope Mohamed Elneny will sign a new deal with them, according to The Athletic.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are exploring the possibility of signing Manchester City star Raheem Sterling this summer, according to The Telegraph.
The report says Arteta would be “willing to make Sterling the focal point of the Gunners’ attack” next term.
Elsewhere, Arsenal are the frontrunners to sign Leicester central midfielder Youri Tielemans, according to Sky Bet.
The bookies have priced the Gunners at 2/1 to snap up the 25-year-old Belgium star.
Manchester United are next in the running at 4/1, with title chasing duo Manchester City and Liverpool both quoted at 7/1.
Tielemans has a year left on his Foxes deal and that could see him sold this summer rather than departing on a free next year.
In other news, Arsenal are reportedly closing in on the signing of Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus in what promises to be a busy summer at the Emirates.
It appears that the Gunners are stepping up their pursuit of Brazilian centre-forward Jesus.
The 25-year-old will be allowed to depart the Etihad to avoid losing him on a free transfer with his contract to expire in 2023.
Meanwhile, his game time under Pep Guardiola will be limited with City set to complete the signing of Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund.
And finally, Gunners transfer target Lautaro Martinez has no intention of leaving Inter Milan this summer.
That’s according to the Argentine’s agent, Alejandro Camano who claims his client is happy in Milan despite reports in the media linking him with a Prem move.
Camano said, via Football Italia: “Sometimes the media publishes stories about his possible transfer, but Lautaro is only focused on Inter, giving the fans joy and making them champions again, then he can start preparing for the World Cup with Argentina.
“We are not expecting or looking for a transfer. He is at Inter, he is happy, the city is wonderful. We are thinking only of Inter.”
- Justin Lawrence
Arsenal set for transfer blow
Crystal Palace are set to agree a new deal with Michael Olise to ramp his price up above £50million.
The Eagles have already rebuffed several approaches and are now planning to agree a one-year extension to his initial five-year deal.
That would keep him at Selhurst Park until June 2027.
Olise’s new Crystal Palace contract will see his release clause rocket from £35m to £50m-plus.
The likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, Lille and Bayern Munich were all sniffing around Olise earlier in the campaign.
- Justin Lawrence
Arsenal in for Richarlison?
Arsenal could make a transfer swoop for Everton star Richarlison this summer.
The Toffees have reportedly set a £50m asking price on the striker.
And the Gunners may be in the position to stump up the cash to bring the Brazilian to the Emirates.
That's the opinion of journalist Dean Jones who told Give Me Sport: "Well, there’s obviously some Premier League clubs who are in the market for new strikers.
"Arsenal are looking for striking reinforcements, and if they get in the Champions League, they might be able to afford to pay £50m for Richarlison."
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