Hello and welcome to football.london’s LIVE blog – covering all the latest Arsenal news and transfer gossip.
The Gunners are expected to splash the cash this summer, with Mikel Arteta determined to get his hands on some silverware. Arsenal seemed well-positioned to compete on all fronts last season – but injuries to key players dented any chance of winning a major trophy.
Andrea Berta, who was appointed as their new sporting director in March, has been tasked with taking the north Londoners to the next level. This summer, Arteta wants to ‘add goals and creativity’ to his squad.
football.london understands that the Spaniard wants to get business done quickly – with the hope that Arsenal will move swiftly in the opening weeks of the transfer window.
Berta has already managed to offload four squad players – but he’s yet to welcome any new faces to the Emirates Stadium. Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko continue to be heavily linked, while Ollie Watkins remains an option.
So, stay with us at football.london as we share all the latest Arsenal news and gossip
According to TBR Football, Arsenal and Chelsea are interested in signing Jorrel Hato from Ajax this summer. The report claims the two Premier League clubs have both held talks about a potential deal for the 19-year-old defender, who’s been priced at £40m.
It’s said that the Gunners have been monitoring Hato’s progress for a while now. TBR Football reckon that Arsenal considered a move for the teenager last summer before signing Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna.
The Slovenia head coach has told Benjamin Sesko to ignore interest from the Saudi Pro League and make a ‘smart’ decision over his future this summer.
Following a 2-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina last week, Matjaz Kek was quizzed on the Arsenal target’s future. As quoted by the Metro, he said: “Benjamin Sesko and Saudi Arabia? I would advise him to never go there, at least not at his age.”
On the interest Sesko has attracted from north London, Kek added: “This is a great recognition, these are clubs that mean a lot. It’s not that I underestimate the Saudi Pro League.
“On the contrary, I worked there at Al-Ittihad and the club is still a part of me. I also watch the league regularly… but the time will come for Benjamin Sesko for that.
I am convinced that Benjamin himself and the people who care for him will be smart enough to make the right solution. That means going somewhere where he can play football because that is the only way he can be happy
According to The Times, Viktor Gyokeres would prefer a move to Arsenal over Manchester United. The report claims the Sporting striker made the decision following exploratory talks with the Red Devils.
The Gunners have been given a major boost to their chances of signing Gyokeres, but they’re said to be split on whether they should sign the Swede or Benjamin Sesko. The Times states that Mikel Arteta is a big fan of the RB Leipzig striker, who almost joined Arsenal last year.
football.london understands that the Gunners submitted a £40m bid for Ollie Watkins towards the end of the January transfer window. Unsurprisingly, Aston Villa rejected the offer, demanding £60m for the striker’s signature.
It’s understood that Watkins was keen on the idea of a move to the Emirates Stadium and, had the two Premier League clubs agreed on a fee, he would’ve made the switch. Unfortunately for Mikel Arteta, who was desperate to bolster his frontline, the north Londoners fell short
According to the Mirror, Arsenal are actively pursuing deals for both Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko. The report claims that, while the Gunners don’t plan to sign two strikers this summer, Andrea Berta is keeping his options open.
It’s said that Arsenal have held advanced discussions over both players, and they haven’t ruled out a potential move for Ollie Watkins either. The Mirror reckon that the Aston Villa star is still on Mikel Arteta’s radar after a January switch collapsed
According to the Mirror, AC Milan recently contacted Arsenal to enquire about the availability of Riccardo Calafiori. The report claims that the Gunners knocked the approach back, with the defender eager to stay in London.
So, the Italian giants have reportedly turned their attention to Oleksandr Zinchenko, who’s allowed to leave this summer. The left-back has recently entered the final year of his contract at the Emirates Stadium, but his wages could prove to be a stumbling block.
The Mirror reckon that Milan have also previously been interested in signing Jakub Kiwior, but the Gunners want him to stay
According to Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, Juventus want to sign Viktor Gyokeres. The report claims that the Old Lady are planning to take advantage of indecisiveness from Arsenal and Manchester United, who also want to secure the Sporting striker’s signature.
It’s said that Juventus have held talks with Gyokeres’ entourage and they’re prepared to offer a contract worth £11m-a-year. The Italian giants will also reportedly submit an official bid worth more than £60m ‘in the next few days’.
Corriere dello Sport adds that any move from Juventus will hinge on whether Dusan Vlahovic leaves this summer…
