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Exclusive: European Championship hero remains at the top of Arsenal’s wanted list

Jason Pettigrove — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 07:23:31 +0000

Although it would appear that Riccardo Calafiori will be the next name through the door at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal are still working hard to strengthen elsewhere, and one Spanish European Championship hero remains top of their wanted list.

CaughtOffside sources with knowledge of the Gunners transfer plans have indicated that the North London outfit now want to move forward in negotiations to sign Real Sociedad’s brilliant 28-year-old Spanish player Mikel Merino.

Mikel Merino top of Arsenal’s wish list

It’s understood that the Gunners have received information about the player’s situation by meeting with the agents of the player, and they plan to make an opening offer of around the €30m mark soon.

Sources also note that Manchester United are continuing to monitor Merino’s situation, but the Red Devils don’t intend to prioritise his transfer at this stage of the summer window.

Spain’s midfielder Mikel Merino is top of Arsenal’s wish list

Atletico Madrid and Barcelona are also continuing their negotiations with Merino’s camp, and it’s said that both La Liga giants are ready and willing to make an offer of between €25m-€30m to Real Sociedad.

From La Real’s point of view, they’re left with little option other than to sell a player that they rate incredibly highly.

He has turned down their offer of a contract extension twice, and in the absence of an improved offer, the player will therefore listen to what other clubs have to say.

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Merino is at the top of Mikel Arteta’s shortlist this summer, though it isn’t clear at this point whether the player wishes to try a new experience in the Premier League, or will continue to ply his trade in La Liga.

Given Arteta’s own career, which took in a period at Real Sociedad as well as with the Spanish national team (up to U21 level), there’s a good chance that he could persuade his countryman to move to North London, and clearly the next few weeks are going to be crucial in terms of any negotiations.

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Arsenal have made an unbelievable transfer decision for a striker this summer

Jason Pettigrove — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 05:21:46 +0000

Although it’s unlikely anyone at the club will come out and say it in interviews, Arsenal really do need to win the Premier League title in 2024/25.

By the end of the upcoming season, Mikel Arteta will have been at the helm for five and a half years, and backed to the hilt by his board during every transfer window.

If he’s still unable to land silverware in the English top-flight, the Gunners hierarchy surely have to at least question what needs to happen in order for the Spaniard to be able to get over the line.

Arteta will, of course, live or die by his transfer decisions, and one that he appears to have made recently is astonishing.

Despite being incredibly injury prone and hardly having played for the club during 2023/24, according to Football Transfers, the club don’t want to sell Gabriel Jesus.

Arsenal keeping hold of Gabriel Jesus

The 27-year-old is apparently fitter than ever according to club sources, though frankly that’s not difficult considering the horrendous time that he’s had with injuries over the past couple of seasons.

In the last two seasons alone he’s missed 33 games according to transfermarkt, mainly due to knee problems.

If nothing else, he has to prove himself all over again, and that may be what benefits the squad most.

Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta and Gabriel Jesus

Genuine strength in depth is what all managers purport to wanting from their squads, so even if Gabriel Jesus isn’t a first choice, if he’s champing at the bit to be involved, that can only be good from Arteta’s point of view.

Time will tell of course just how fit the player is, and whether he can prove to be a genuine asset for his club in their fight to topple his former employers, Man City, from their perch.

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Real Madrid set to jeopardise Arsenal’s move for top summer target thanks to Man United

Jason Pettigrove — Sat, 20 Jul 2024 08:01:02 +0000

This summer is hugely important for Arsenal Football Club, given that they must sign the right players to help them get over the line in the Premier League.

Mikel Arteta’s side have been improving over the period of his tenure, but he needs to start winning some silverware for the club.

The Gunners have backed him to the hilt in all transfer decisions, and whilst most have paid off, that still hasn’t resulted in a Premier League or European title.

Arsenal could lose out to Real Madrid on Riccardo Calafiori

Arteta will be judged on that, so he arguably doesn’t have too much longer to deliver that success.

One of the players that he was hoping would help do so this summer is Bologna’s brilliant Italian defender, Riccardo Calafiori.

It’s understood that the 22-year-old is open to the switch and only wants to move to Arsenal, but as yet, the North Londoners haven’t been able to get the deal across the line.

"He wants Arsenal" ?

Gianluca Di Marzio reports that Riccardo Calafiori believes Arsenal is the 'perfect step' for his career ? pic.twitter.com/kVaMJYcFvh

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) July 13, 2024

That’s a decision that could come back to bite them, as Corriere Di Bologna note that Real Madrid are now circling for the player.

Los Blancos late interest stems from the fact that they lost out in the race for Leny Yoro to Manchester United.

The Red Devils were decisive in their transfer dealings, convincing the excellent 18-year-old Yoro that his immediate future lay at Old Trafford, rather than him waiting a year for Real to come calling and get him on a free.

That supposed reticence to pay a decent fee for him now would likely have indicated to the player that Real couldn’t have wanted him that badly, so United played a blinder.

Arsenal might be hoping they had done the same as far as Calafiori is concerned, as they could now end up losing out.

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Arsenal looking at super attacking signing who isn’t considered untouchable by current club

Jason Pettigrove — Sat, 20 Jul 2024 07:44:28 +0000

As the transfer window starts to heat up, Arsenal are set to get involved in negotiations in a big way.

Mikel Arteta’s squad have been improving year on year but, to date, haven’t managed to overhaul the juggernaut that is Pep Guardiola’s Man City.

With a couple of studious additions and sales to balance the books in terms of Financial Fair Play the Gunners could strengthen once again, and whilst they remain the chaser at this point, they can, injuries notwithstanding, once again put almost intolerable pressure on the Cityzens from first until last in 2024/25.

Guardiola’s side broke another record last season when they won their fourth Premier League title in a row, and their sixth in seven years.

Arsenal looking at ‘Plan B’ Leroy Sane

Only Liverpool have stopped them having a clean sweep since 2018, and that’s the task set before Arteta. It really would be something if City were able to win five in a row too, a record that’s likely to never be beaten.

In any event, it’s well known that Arsenal are battling with Barcelona to try and land Athletic Club’s brilliant winger, Nico Williams.

At present it’s believed that the Catalan club might well have the edge in those negotiations, and so, as Football Transfers report, the Gunners could be turning their attentions to Bayern Munich’s former Man City flyer, Leroy Sane.

Leroy Sane could be making a summer move to Arsenal

Though he may only be considered as a ‘Plan B’ at this stage, the fact that Football Transfers suggest that he isn’t untouchable, even if Vincent Kompany isn’t actively looking to sell him, hints at Arsenal perhaps being successful with any enquiry.

No fee is mentioned, though Sane is approaching the final year of his contract and would be tempted by a move to the Emirates Stadium according to the report.

If the stars align, it’s a deal that makes perfect sense for all concerned.

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Exclusive: Arsenal could land £45m-rated EPL defender as well as Calafiori

Jason Pettigrove — Fri, 19 Jul 2024 08:20:30 +0000

There are just four weeks left until the 2024/25 Premier League season kicks off, and Arsenal will be hoping that any deals that are currently in abeyance are signed and sealed by then.

Riccard Calafiori has long been touted for a move to the Emirates Stadium, and sporting director, Edu, will need to work hard and fast to get a deal over the line with the Italian’s current club, Bologna.

Arsenal hoping to land Calafiori and Zabarnyi

At 22 years of age, Calafiori represents a player for the current Arsenal set up and well into the future.

That would also apply to Bournemouth’s 21-year-old Ukrainian defender, Ilya Zabarnyi, who CaughtOffside sources note that Arsenal are also monitoring.

It’s understood that the Cherries would be loathe to lose Zabarnyi, though they could be tempted to do business if they receive offers around the £40m/£45m mark.

Riccardo Calafiori isn’t the only defensive signing Mikel Arteta wants at Arsenal

There are many names on Arsenal’s list of potential targets sources suggest, including strikers as well as defenders, but with pre-season having already started for all clubs, the Gunners don’t have long to get those transfers over the line.

Club scouts watched the Ukrainian defender at Euro 2024, and it’s believed that the reports that filtered back to the powers that be were all positive.

If Mikel Arteta can bring in one or two more high quality exponents, he will arguably have strengthened what he already had in situ, and given himself the luxury of having more depth in his squad.

He’ll certainly need that in what’s expected to be another gruelling campaign, and one that could be Pep Guardiola’s last at Man City.

The Catalan will be hoping to land an unprecedented fifth Premier League title in a row, and a seventh in eight years, which is the scale of the task facing Arteta and his young squad.

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£25m Arsenal man set for West Ham switch this summer

Jason Pettigrove — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 06:09:18 +0000

West Ham appear to be one of the busiest teams in the summer transfer window so far.

Unlike 12 months ago when it took right up until the week of the first match of the season before the Hammers managed to land any new signings, Tim Steidten has already brought three players in with more in the pipeline.

Wes Foderingham, Max Kilman and Luis Guilherme have signed for a combined €70m+ (transfermarkt), whilst a bid for Nice’s former Barcelona centre-back, Jean-Clair Todibo, would appear to be just one offer out in the marketplace.

?????? Jean-Clair Todibo has been very clear with Nice: he wants to join Juventus as priority, currently waiting for them.

West Ham had bid accepted but they’re aware of player plan to wait for Juve, as reported earlier this morning.

Personal terms already agreed. ?? pic.twitter.com/9ujE98ibpC

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 17, 2024

News that Arsenal’s Reiss Nelson is another player on the Hammers radar shows just how much effort is going into this summer’s recruitment drive.

TalkSPORT note that, in fact, West Ham are favourites to land the £25m-rated 24-year-old.

If technical director, Tim Steidten, continues working so feverishly the East Londoners could have a brilliant squad for new manager, Julen Lopetegui, to work with.

West Ham favourites for Reiss Nelson

Things were always going to change once David Moyes left the manager’s position at the London Stadium, though surely no one could’ve foreseen the pace at which that change would occur.

What that does of course is place the pressure squarely on the Spaniard’s shoulders.

For all of Moyes’ faults, he managed to get the Hammers into Europe for three seasons in a row, and that will be the benchmark for Lopetegui.

With the investment the club are making too, arguably the fans might be expecting him to go one better in 2024/25 and finish in the Champions League spots.

It’s a tall order but things are certainly moving in that direction, and Nelson’s hire could prove to be another studious addition by a club that are clearly on the up.

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Barcelona could scupper Arsenal’s move for quality Spanish international

Jason Pettigrove — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 07:02:46 +0000

The transfer market is set to heat up in Europe now that the European Championship has concluded.

Top clubs across the continent will ideally want to bed down their squads well before pre-season is in full flow, to save any disruption ahead of the start of the 2024/25 campaign.

From Arsenal’s point of view, adding the right players to their squad is imperative as they attempt to chase down Manchester City in their bid to land a first Premier League title in over two decades.

Barcelona could beat Arsenal to Merino capture

One that The Telegraph (subscription required) note that they are interested in is Spain hero, Mikel Merino.

Like Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, Merino has worn the jersey of Basque side, Real Sociedad, and with one year left on his contract at the Spanish top-flight side, La Real are at risk of bids for his services being successful.

Spain’s midfielder Mikel Merino is interesting both Arsenal and Barcelona

It’s understood that he hasn’t signed any extension to his Sociedad contract at present, which leaves the club vulnerable given that this is the last point in which they could potentially command a decent fee for his services.

Arsenal could find themselves outmuscled by Spanish giants, Barcelona, however.

According to Mundo Deportiv o, sporting director, Deco, wants to land the player, however the Catalans have to wait until they can satisfy La Liga of their financial situation relating to Financial Fair Play and a 1:1 rule that is place.

It isn’t clear at this point if Merino has a preference of staying at Sociedad, moving to Barcelona or trying a new experience in the Premier League, though if it does become common knowledge that he’s ready to move on, we can expect a battle royale.

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Exclusive: Barcelona leading the race for €58m-rated ace that Arsenal love

Jason Pettigrove — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 07:50:47 +0000

One of the biggest transfers of the summer is likely to involve Athletic Club’s lightning-quick winger, Nico Williams, with Barcelona understood to be leading the race for his signature at present.

According to CaughtOffside sources with knowledge of the current situation surrounding the 21-year-old, the Catalan giants have held talks with the player.

How to buy England vs Spain tickets

Barcelona have apparently stated that they could give Williams the playing time that he desires, and Nico was supposedly impressed with this.

As a result, it’s understood that he has verbally accepted their offer of a five-year contract.

Barcelona will hold talks with Athletic Club now regarding the payment of the player’s €58m release clause, and CaughtOffside sources believe that Barca want to complete the transfer as soon as possible after the European Championship – where Williams has been one of the standout players.

Nico Williams to Barcelona?

That will disappoint Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea, who have all been linked with the player recently and who are financially able to pay the asking price.

Given that it seems that Williams’ preference is to move to Barcelona, the Premier league clubs are not now considering a move for his services.

That could change if talks between Barca and Athletic are not completed successfully.

In that eventuality, Williams would have his pick of clubs in the English top-flight, and it would be on each of them to convince the player and his agent of their project, and how Williams would fit into that.

Until then, all they can do is wait and see, whilst Barcelona clearly have the bit between their teeth on this one as they seemingly want to ensure that Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams star for both club and country from next season.

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Bayern Munich pushing hard to land major Arsenal target

Jason Pettigrove — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 07:30:19 +0000

Arsenal are expected to be active in the summer transfer market as Mikel Arteta looks to land a player or two that will help get them over the line in the race for the Premier League title.

Man City have been the team to beat over the past few seasons, with only Liverpool’s long-overdue title win in 2020 stopping Pep Guardiola’s swashbucklers from winning an incredible seven English top-flight titles in a row.

How to buy tickets for England vs Spain

Their current run of four title wins in succession is an all-time record, but Arteta and his squad will want to ensure that they don’t increase it to five.

In order to be able to do that, they need to land the players that the manager requests, so the Spaniard will arguably be disappointed that he’s set to lose out on one of the Gunners major summer targets.

Arsenal want Xavi Simons but Bayern are muscling in

According to Just Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain and Netherlands midfielder, Xavi Simons, scorer of one of Euro 2024’s best goals in the semi-final against England, remains a player that the North Londoners want to sign.

However, Sky Sports are reporting that Bayern Munich also want to sign the 21-year-old, who spent last season in the Bundesliga on loan at RB Leipzig.

It seems clear that Simons won’t be staying at PSG so the race is wide open for the time being.

Arsenal’s style of play would certainly suit the player, though Vincent Kompany is also known to be a fan of a front-foot attacking style, so the player may prefer to be part of the Belgian’s emerging project in Bavaria.

All the while Simons hasn’t put pen to paper Arsenal are in with a chance, but they’ll need to move quickly in order to keep Bayern at bay.

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World class winger liked by Arsenal and Chelsea has agreed terms with La Liga giants

Jason Pettigrove — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 11:01:13 +0000

Both Arsenal and Chelsea will want to be busy in the transfer market this summer as they look to sign the players that can bring them closer to winning some long-overdue silverware.

For the Gunners the Premier League title certainly isn’t out of reach, as they showed last season when battling Pep Guardiola’s Man City side right to the very end of the campaign.

Chelsea are not quite at the level of their London rivals yet, though a cup run in 2024/25 certainly isn’t beyond the realms of possibility.

Barcelona agree terms with Arsenal and Chelsea target Nico Williams

In order to help either side fulfil their ambitions, they need to improve their squads, and one player who would absolutely do so is none other than Athletic Club de Bilbao’s lightning-fast winger, Nico Williams.

TeamTalk note the interest of the Blues, whilst The Athletic (subscription required) suggest that Williams remains a priority target for the Gunners.

Both are set to be disappointed, however, as Sport have reported that the player has agreed personal terms with Barcelona.

Nico Williams has agreed terms with Barcelona, which will disappoint both Arsenal and Chelsea

The only possible ray of light that both of the London clubs have now is that the Catalan giants struggle to get the money together to pay the player’s release clause.

The last few years have been awful for Barcelona in terms of their finances, but if they’re able to land Williams, it would be a real statement of intent.

Having him on one wing and Lamine Yamal on the other – for club and country – would make Barca a real threat going forward.

Clearly nothing is going to happen until Spain have completed their European Championship, and at this stage they appear odds on to win the trophy, even if England or the Netherlands will have something to say about that.

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