Arsenal transfer news LIVE: £100m Declan Rice latest, Ilkay Gundogan 'yet to decide on future', Raphinha 'price set' | The Sun
ARSENAL are pushing to sign £100million Declan Rice, with the England midfielder set to depart West Ham this summer.
Per Mertesacker reckons Ilkay Gundogan will have a short break before deciding on his footballing future.
He told ZDF: "Arteta knows him and we probably haven’t broken off contact, we’re in a good position. I think he’ll let it all sink in first and then choose from one of the four clubs.
Meanwhile, Barcelona have reportedly set a price for Brazil winger Raphinha, who has regularly been linked with the Gunners.
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Stay up to date with all the latest from the Emirates Stadium…
- By Henry Tomlinson
Youngster 'wants Arsenal exit'
Charlie Patino reportedly still wants to leave Arsenal after a season out on loan at Blackpool.
The midfielder is viewed as a top prospect by the Gunners, who are keen to keep hold.
But according to Fabrizio Romano, the club will allow him to leave but will insist on a buy-back clause.
Credit: Getty - By Ian Tuckey
Morning, Arsenal fans
Could the Gunners pounce for Declan Rice AND Ilkay Gundogan?
That's the enticing question after the latest developments over the two midfielders.
It's claimed the Gunners are closing on a British record £100million-plus deal for West Ham skipper Rice.
Talks between the two clubs are said to be going "smoothly".And the suggestion is Arsenal have beaten off Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Newcastle and Manchester United in the hunt for the England midfielder.
In contrast, Manchester City's Treble-winning hero Gundogan seems a much-longer shot.
But ex-Gunner Per Mertesacker insists Mikel Arteta is in a "good position" to recruit the Germany ace.
Mertesacker believes Arsenal, Barcelona and Saudi clubs are all waiting to pounce.
And the former defender reckons Gundogan, 32, will look to leave City for a longer contract.
Barcelona have reportedly set a price for Brazil winger Raphinha, who has regularly been linked with the Gunners.
Lastly, RMC suggested Manchester United made a cheeky bid for Arsenal centre-back William Saliba.
- By Ian Tuckey
Roma 'in for Xhaka'
Roma are tipped to rival Bayer Leverkusen for Arsenal's Granit Xhaka.
The Switzerland midfielder could be ousted at the Emirates by plans for big-money recruits, mainly of course Declan Rice.
But teh Gunners will reportedly hold out for nearly £20million for Xhaka.
And Fichajes say Jose Mourinho's Serie A club are ready to renew their interest in the 30-year-old.
- By Ian Tuckey
'Casemiro means Utd don't need Declan'
Manchester United don't need Arsenal target Declan Rice, according to the two clubs' ex-defender Mikael Silvestre.
The Frenchman reckons Old Traford boss Erik ten Hag would prefer to field just one anchorman – and already has Brazilian Casemiro.
West Ham's England midfielder Rice could cost a British record fee of more than £100million.
And Silvestre told bettingexpert.com: “When you have Casemiro, I don’t think you need Declan Rice.
"It’s not the way Erik wants to play, with two sitting defensive midfielders.
"I don’t think that’s the best option. “It’s not what United needs.”
- By Ian Tuckey
Gunners urged to keep Toon target Tierney
Arsenal must fight to keep Newcastle and Aston Villa target Kieran Tierney, says ex-Gunners defender Miakel Silvestre.
The former Manchester United star reckons Tierney is needed as Champions League back-up,
Silvestre hopes the Scotland star stays to compete with first-choice left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko.
He told bettingexpert.com: "I think it’s important that Arsenal find a way to retain Kieran Tierney.”
“Fighting for the title, playing in the Champions League again, you need two international level players in almost every position.
“So, they need to find a way to convince him that he’s part of the plan for next season.”
But Silvestre admitted: "He should have a lot of clubs looking for him because it’s hard to find a player to play left-back these days
“The Premier League, he has the attribute to play for any team and it makes sense for Villa and Newcastle to be chasing him.”
- By Ian Tuckey
Gunners 'closing on record Rice deal'
Arsenal are nearing a £100million-plus deal for Declan Rice, it's claimed tonight.
Reports are emerging saying the Gunners have seen off Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Newcastle and Manchester United for the West Ham skipper.
The Irish Times suggest Arsenal are willing to pay a British record fee for the England midfielder, 24.
It's said there's been "smooth talks" between the Gunners and Hammers.
And with add-ons the transfer could top the £100m that Manchester City paid for England winger Jack Grealish.
Arsenal's club record is the £72m paid to Lille for wideman Nicolas Pepe four years ago.
- By Ian Tuckey
‘Love to see Klopp land Declan'
Peter Crouch is dreaming of Arsenal’s top target Declan Rice joining Liverpool – even though Alexis mac Allister is a “good signing”.
But the ex-Tottenham and England striker reckons the West Ham skipper could be too costly for his former club the Reds.
Crouch told Paddy Power: “Alexis Mac Allister is a good signing for Liverpool. He’s a great player but the fans will want more signings before next season.
“Defensive reinforcements and another midfielder would be welcome.
“I know he’s being linked elsewhere but I’d absolutely love to see Declan Rice come in as well.
“He’s a class act and I think he could go to any club and be a great signing for them. It probably won’t be Liverpool as he’s going to be very expensive, but it would be a great addition.”
- By Ian Tuckey
Saliba had 'issues' with Arteta
William Saliba had "some issues" with manager Mikel Arteta during his loan stint at Marseille.
The Gunners signed Saliba from Saint-Etienne in 2019 and quickly loaned him back to the Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium.
The centre-back still struggled to meet expectations in north London in 2020 and underwent two more year-long loan stints to Nice and Marseille.
That experience proved to be critical for the France international as he quickly transformed into Arsenal's rock in defence immediately after his return in June.
However, the 22-year-old couldn't see this last year and thus had "doubts" about working with Arteta following a stunning stint with L'OM, where he enjoyed playing so much he considered staying.
That is according to Saliba's former boss Philippe Guillemet, who is the former director of Saint-Etienne’s academy centre.
Guillemet told The Athletic: "He loved Marseille. It was a fantastic year.
“Speaking to people close to him, he had doubts about Arsenal because there were some issues between him and the coach. Now he is happy in London.”
- By Emillia Hawkins
‘He’s Coming’
Arsenal fans are convinced that Declan Rice will soon be their player after seeing his arrival for England duty this morning.
SunSport revealed last week that West Ham will start a £110million bidding war for the star after owner David Sullivan finally confirmed their captain can leave.
They will demand a Premier League record fee — in excess of the £106m Chelsea paid Benfica for Argentina World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez.
Arsenal are expected to bid for the midfielder in the coming days, while both Manchester United and Bayern Munich could follow.
Now fans are convinced that the Emirates will be his destination after photos emerged of Rice arriving at St. George’s Park for England duty today.
Arsenal stars Bukayo Saka and goalie Aaron Ramsdale were two of the first to warmly greet him at the Three Lions camp.
And those images sent supporters into meltdown on Twitter.
- By Emillia Hawkins
'Boyhood Dream'
Oleksandr Zinchenko is set to fulfil his dream of playing under Arsene Wenger at the Game 4 Ukraine.
The charity event will take place on August 5 to raise money for the reconstruction of the Mykhailo-Kotsiubynsky School in Chernihiv Oblast after it was destroyed by missiles.
Zinchenko, 26, will captain one team with former Ukraine captain and manager Andriy Shevchenko skippering the other side.
Wenger will manage Zinchenko – providing the Arsenal star with the chance to finally play under the iconic manager.
The defender dreamed of playing for the Gunners and Wenger as a child – which almost became a reality when he was 17.
That deal collapsed but Zinchenko finally reached his goal eight years later when he signed for Mikel Arteta's side last summer.
Now the Ukrainian is set to achieve his other dream of playing under Wenger and he is grateful the former Gunners boss has signed up for the exhibition match.
He told talkSPORT: “It’s incredible. I’d like to say a massive thanks to him that he was going to join us.
“My boyhood dream was to be an Arsenal player and that after watching Arsenal with Arsene Wenger, Arsenal was the team where I wanted to be since I was a kid and using this opportunity he will be my manager.
“I had the opportunity to join Arsenal when I was 17, but eventually it happened, just a bit later!”
Credit: AFP - By Emillia Hawkins
Gundogan the Gunner?
Arsenal are in a good position to sign Ilkay Gundogan this summer, according to Per Mertesacker.
Speaking as a pundit for German broadcaster ZDF, the Arsenal Academy manager speculated that Man City’s Champions League victory could prompt the midfielder to move on.
He said: “I think the clubs are queuing.
“Because [Mikel] Arteta knows him and we probably haven’t broken off contact, we’re in a good position.
“I think he’ll let it all sink in first and then choose from one of the four clubs.”
While Man City want him to stay, Gundogan has also received interest from Arsenal, Barcelona and some clubs in Saudi Arabia.
Credit: Getty - By Ian Tuckey
Take Rice off the menu for Red Devils
Manchester United don't need Arsenal target Declan Rice, according to the two clubs' ex-defender Mikael Silvestre.
The Frenchman reckons Old Traford boss Erik ten Hag would prefer to field just one anchorman – and already has Brazilian Casemiro.
West Ham's England midfielder Rice could cost a British record fee of more than £100million.
And Silvestre told bettingexpert.com: “When you have Casemiro, I don’t think you need Declan Rice.
"It’s not the way Erik wants to play, with two sitting defensive midfielders.
"I don’t think that’s the best option. “It’s not what United needs.”
- By Ian Tuckey
Gunners 'prepare £92m Rice bid'
Arsenal could be ready to bid £92million for Declan Rice – amid claims Manchester United are hotting up their interest.
West Ham have confirmed their skipper is leaving, with Bayern Munich also keen on the England midfielder.
The Hammers want up to £110million for the 24-year-old.
But the Gunners are ready to test the waters with what could be the first serious bid of the summer for Rice.
- By Ian Tuckey
'Rice would be great Liverpool signing'
Peter Crouch is dreaming of Arsenal's top target Declan Rice joining Liverpool – even though Alexis mac Allister is a "good signing".
But the ex-Tottenham and England striker reckons the West Ham skipper could be too costly for his former club the Reds.
Crouch told Paddy Power: “Alexis Mac Allister is a good signing for Liverpool. He’s a great player but the fans will want more signings before next season.
"Defensive reinforcements and another midfielder would be welcome.
“I know he’s being linked elsewhere but I’d absolutely love to see Declan Rice come in as well.
"He’s a class act and I think he could go to any club and be a great signing for them. It probably won’t be Liverpool as he’s going to be very expensive, but it would be a great addition."
- By Ian Tuckey
Raphinha still on radar
Barcelona have apparently set an asking price on Brazil winger Raphinha.
Arsenal were interested in the former Leeds man last summer, however he opted for a move to the Camp Nou instead.
But now Sport claim that the Catalans will demand £68million for the wideman.
- By Emillia Hawkins
'He is happy in London'
Former St Etienne academy director Philippe Guilemet has revealed why William Saliba had doubts over returning to London last summer.
Saliba, who joined the Gunners from St Etienne in 2019, spent the 2021-22 season on-loan at Marseille before joining up with Mikel Arteta's squad in pre-season last July.
The defender has since proved himself as one of Arsenal's best players, however, he had doubts over joining the club due to issues with Arteta, according to Guilemet.
Speaking to The Athletic, the Frenchman said: "He loved Marseille. It was a fantastic year.
"Speaking to people close to him, he had doubts about Arsenal because there were some issues between him and the coach. Now he is happy in London."
- By Emillia Hawkins
Auba and Out
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is close to sealing a Chelsea exit, according to reports.
The former Arsenal striker joined the Blues from Barcelona last September in a £10million deal that saw Marcos Alonso go the other way.
Aubameyang was recruited to play under his former Borussia Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel, but the German was sacked just one game into the forward's Blues career.
The 33-year-old subsequently became a peripheral figure under both Graham Potter and Frank Lampard.
According to French site Sports Zone, Aubameyang is in talks to join one of the four Saudi Pro League clubs owned by the Public Investment Fund.
This would see him sign for either Al-Nassr, where Cristiano Ronaldo plays, or one of Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli or Al-Hilal.
An agreement is thought to be near, with Chelsea eager to get rid of Aubameyang ahead of the final year of his contract.
Credit: EPA - By Emillia Hawkins
Saliba Shock
A shock new report has claimed that one of Arsenal’s Premier League rivals has failed with a cheeky transfer approach for William Saliba.
The 22-year-old defender is set to sign a new long-term contract with the Gunners.
It is understood that the contract, which will run to 2027 with the possibility of an option for a further 12 months, will be worth around £200,000-per-week.
That is considerably more than Arsenal were hoping to pay Saliba, whose current salary is only £40,000-a-week.
SunSport exclusively reported last month how Arsenal were in shock at his demands.
Now RMC Sport journalist Fabrice Hawkins has claimed that Manchester United cheekily attempted to try and pounce on the uncertainty with a shock surprise swoop.
Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich were also interested in Saliba with his present deal expiring in 2024.
Credit: PA - By Emillia Hawkins
Gundogan to Go?
Arsenal are in a good position to sign Ilkay Gundogan this summer, according to Per Mertesacker.
Speaking as a pundit for German broadcaster ZDF, the Arsenal Academy manager speculated that Man City's Champions League victory could prompt the midfielder to move on.
He said: "I think the clubs are queuing.
"Because [Mikel] Arteta knows him and we probably haven’t broken off contact, we’re in a good position.
"I think he’ll let it all sink in first and then choose from one of the four clubs."
While Man City want him to stay, Gundogan has also received interest from Arsenal, Barcelona and some clubs in Saudi Arabia.
Credit: Getty - By Emillia Hawkins
'He's Coming'
Arsenal fans are convinced that Declan Rice will soon be their player after seeing his arrival for England duty this morning.
SunSport revealed last week that West Ham will start a £110million bidding war for the star after owner David Sullivan finally confirmed their captain can leave.
They will demand a Premier League record fee — in excess of the £106m Chelsea paid Benfica for Argentina World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez.
Arsenal are expected to bid for the midfielder in the coming days, while both Manchester United and Bayern Munich could follow.
Now fans are convinced that the Emirates will be his destination after photos emerged of Rice arriving at St. George’s Park for England duty today.
Arsenal stars Bukayo Saka and goalie Aaron Ramsdale were two of the first to warmly greet him at the Three Lions camp.
And those images sent supporters into meltdown on Twitter.
Credit: Getty Credit: Getty - By Emillia Hawkins
Fox Hunt
Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Leicester right-back Timothy Castagne.
Mikel Arteta has been monitoring Real Valladolid defender Ivan Fresneda since January.
And the Spaniard, 18, remains the Gunners' top priority as they seek to bolster their options on the right side of their back line.
However, they are already lining up an alternative if a deal cannot be struck with Valladolid – with Borussia Dortmund in contention to hijack the deal.
According to Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Castagne is the back-up target if a Fresneda transfer falls through.
He claims talks have started between Arsenal and Leicester over a possible switch.
The reports also states that "things could move quickly" if Arteta's men decide to bring in the Belgium international.
Credit: Getty
- By Emillia Hawkins
'He'd be a part-time player'
Former Liverpool star Didi Hamann does not believe Kieran Tierney would get regular game time if he moved to Newcastle this summer.
He told Casinos En Ligne: “Dan Burn has played very well at left-back. If Kieran Tierney was to go to Newcastle United because he’s a part-time player at Arsenal, would it be any different at Newcastle?
“The defence and back four have been sensational this season.
“I can understand why Eddie Howe would want him because he’s a very good player to have in your squad, but it remains to be seen if he’s happy to stay as second choice, behind Burn.
“Burn is doing a fantastic job at left-back, especially for someone of his height.
“You have to have him in the team because he guarantees goals and defending in set pieces, it would be mighty tough for Tierney to get in the team.”
Credit: Getty - By Emillia Hawkins
Wenger to manage at Stamford Bridge
Legendary Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is set to manage Team Zinchenko at the upcoming Game 4 Ukraine at Stamford Bridge.
The match is being put on to raise funds for the reconstruction of the Mykhailo-Kotsiubynsky Lyceum in Chernihiv Oblast, a school in northern Ukraine that has been struck by missiles.
Credit: Getty - By Emillia Hawkins
Gundo-Gone?
Ilkay Gundogan is set to make a decision on his future in the next few weeks, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
The midfielder's Manchester City contract expires at the end of this month, meaning he will be free to leave on a free transfer.
But Pep Guardiola is eager to keep him on board.
Gundogan has been offered a new one-year deal with the option to extend for a further season.
However, he has also reportedly received proposals from Saudi Arabia.
And Arsenal are also understood to be interested in signing him.
Credit: Alamy - By Emillia Hawkins
Nelson to Stay
Arsenal expect Reiss Nelson to sign a new long-term deal this week, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
The winger's current contract expires at the end of this month, but Mikel Arteta has been eager to extend his stay at the Emirates.
Nelson initially rejected a contract offer earlier this year, but he has now come to an agreement with Arsenal officials.
He is expected to sign a new four-year deal with the option to extend for a further season.
Credit: Getty
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