Hello and welcome to football.london ‘s Arsenal transfer news live blog this weekend. Over halfway through the ten-day first window of this summer, the Gunners are starting to make moves in the market.
Thursday saw Nuno Tavares join Lazio on a permanent transfer after spending last season on loan at the Serie A side. Then yesterday, the club announced Gabriel Magalhaes signing a new contract while also confirming they have reached a mutual agreement with Jorginho to end his contract and become a free agent.
Arsenal have yet to make a signing, but football.london understands the Gunners are pressing ahead with a deal to sign Benjamin Sesko. The centre-forward position is considered a priority, and Alexander Isak is thought to be the club’s dream option. However, any move quickly became impossible with Newcastle United qualifying for the Champions League.
The club have now, though, appear to have unanimously decided Sesko is the correct choice over Viktor Gyokeres. A deal to sign Martin Zubimendi is also believed to be at an advanced stage, with the Spain international closing in on a move to the club.
Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is Arsenal’s top back-up goalkeeper target this summer transfer window.
football.london understands that Arsenal are interested in signing Kepa after being identified as the leading candidate to provide competition for David Raya. They are set to prioritise a move for the Blues goalkeeper with Espanyol shot-stopper Joan Garcia, who was right alongside Kepa at the top of their shortlist, now expected to sign for Barcelona.
Kepa has a £5 million release clause in his contract at Stamford Bridge. Arsenal see that as a potential bargain, recruiting a goalkeeper with Premier League and Champions League experience for a reasonable fee.
Nuno Tavares reportedly could return to the Premier League next season as the player is said to have admirers in England.
Despite just joining Lazio on a permanent transfer, Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla reports the Serie A side are evaluating whether to sell the player this summer, with there also said to be interest from Saudi Arabia and Turkiye.
Nico Williams is reportedly very reluctant to move abroad despite Arsenal and Chelsea reputedly being willing to pay the player’s circa €60million (£51million) release clause.
SPORT claims they do not have the player’s approval despite his entourage listening to offers from the Premier League. Instead, he plans to sign a new contract with Athletic Club to stay in Bilbao.
Negotiations over an extension are said to be underway this summer. The most important part of those talks is said to be raising the player’s release clause, but reputedly not by much, if at all, as not to block a future transfer.
Arsenal have reportedly entered discussions over a move for Rodrygo.
GiveMeSport cites their sources when claiming the Gunners enquired about signing the Real Madrid forward last week. However, there is said to be an awareness that the club could struggle to meet the player’s reputed £250,000-per-week wage demands.
Arsenal reportedly remain keen on Ousmane Diomande amid interest from other Premier League clubs.
The Telegraph claims Crystal Palace are exploring a deal for the Sporting CP central defender as a potential replacement for Marc Guehi. CaughtOffside now reiterates the player is still on the Gunners’ radar.
Aston Villa, Bayern Munich and Chelsea are other clubs credited with an interest in the Ivory Coast international. Sporting are said to have a €80million (£67million) asking price.
Ray Parlour would rather Arsenal sign Morgan Rogers than Rodrygo.
The Romford Pele has said on talkSPORT that he would pay the money to get the England international if he were the Gunners:
