Arsenal news and transfers – Kylian Mbappe ‘meeting’, Alexander Isak decision, £182m boost

Arsenal news and transfers with the latest headlines, updates, including the latest on Kylian Mbappe, Alexander Isak, Joshua Zirkzee and Benjamin Sesko

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the latest Arsenal transfer news, views and rumours.

The Gunners are yet to make any meaningful progress towards bringing in any new players but both Mohamed Elneny and Cedric Soares have announced their departure from the club. More are expected to follow in the weeks to come with Arsenal looking to increase their funds as well as aiding the PSR wiggle room and revamping areas of the squad.

On the incoming front there is the expectation that a new striker arrives. It is said that Joshua Zirkzee’s agent has been pushing him in the direction of Arsenal with a summer move for the Bologna striker seen as likely.

It could be a case of one-in-one-out for centre-forwards. Academy ace Mika Biereth is said to be closing in on an exit from the club. Elsewhere Bruno Guimaraes has been speaking to former Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva – though not about a possible move to the club, it seems.

Mikel Arteta also has a contract to resolve. Both he and Pep Guardiola are into the final 12 months of their deals with a crucial few months coming up for the pair of them.

With all that said and done, we will keep you updated throughout the day with our live – don’t go anywhere!

Arteta message

Mikel Arteta has made an emphatic Arsenal claim after being named the Best Premier League Coach at the Globe Soccer Awards.

On Tuesday evening, the Gunners boss was in Sardinia alongside Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso and Como coach Cesc Fabregas where he was given the prestigious award.

“Thank you @globesoccer for this award. I feel humbled and very grateful. When I decided to stop my career as a football player, I thought all the joy and best moments in football were gone. And I was totally wrong.

“Now I love it even more, I feel so passionate about it. I have to thank all the players, coaches, and those involved in the Football Club for making my days so enjoyable, so inspiring, and for supporting me on this journey that we started four years ago and that hopefully will take us right to the top and win many trophies.”

Zirkzee agent fees

More on this one now. Arsenal are not thought to have a problem with the additional £13million that could be asked for in agents fees.

It would take the whole package for Zirkzee up to £47million with commission going to Kia Joorabchian.

He is said to be doing a lot of the work for the Gunners in driving this deal.

Release clause deadline

Arsenal will only have a set number of weeks to complete two of their possible summer transfers.

Bruno Guimaraes is a player that has been on the club’s radar for some time and has a release clause in his current Newcastle deal, though the chances of a move this summer is small

With the transfer window not officially opening until June 14, Guimaraes’ clause is only active until June 30. During that period he will be away with his country ahead of the Copa America as well, complicating matters.

It leaves just two weeks for clubs to make use of Guimaraes’ lofty clause. Eddie Howe is planning for his star man to be around for another year regardless. “He is integral to what we are doing and we are desperate to keep him,” the Magpies boss said at the end of the season.

Nico Williams push

Arsenal are still plotting to sign Athletic Club forward Nico Williams.

The player has a £40million release clause in his new contract, it is reported, and Arsenal are keen to bring him in.

Manchester City and Chelsea also hold interest, as to Aston Villa, Liverpool, and Newcastle.

Arsenal want to get any business done before the end of July though, when their pre-season tour of America starts.

More on Rashford

Following on now from a big story earlier this week that Arsenal had actually already spoken to Rashford about a possible move.

Dean Jones says: “Marcus Rashford is Man United through and through, it would take a huge moment for him to leave that club.

“There are whsipers about a move to Arsenal, a respected Arsenal ITK account suggested there have been discussions between Rashford’s camp and Arteta. I haven’t been able to solidify that information, but it would be quite a thing to make up, and I don’t believe anybody would do that, it’s too big a rumour.

“Can Rashford actually join Arsenal? I think there is scope there to upgrade on the left, but is Rashford elite anymore and he’s on about £350k-a-week, he will be labelled up at £80m. Can I see Arsenal meeting all of that criteria? I think it’s unlikely, but I thought I’d put it on the radar today.”

Offers for Partey

Arsenal have opened themselves up to offers for Thomas Partey this summer, it is said.

No contract talks have been held so far and the midfielder only has 12 months left on his contract.

Arteta is eyeing a new midfielder as it is, but Partey is reportedly keen to stay for the last year of his deal.

It has been said elsewhere that he could leave if a big enough offer came in from elsewhere.

Diomande boost

Arsenal have been dealt a boost in their attempts to sign Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande.

It is said that the Portuguese side will offer a discount on the player this summer, reducing their asking price by almost £20million.

His release clause of £68million has been deemed to be too steep in recent years but now £51million could do the trick.

Arsenal and Chelsea have been long-term admirers of the player.

‘Super interest’ in Zirkzee

Italian reports say Arsenal are now ‘super interested’ in Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee.

The forward is thought to have been pushed towards the club by his agent and with a £35million release clause is well within budget.

Zirkzee is certainly one to watch.

No De Jong

Barcelona are not willing to entertain offers for Arsenal-linked midfielder Frenkie de Jong this summer.

The Dutchman has been a Premier League target for years and has recently been tipped as a possible answer for Arsenal’s long-term options in the centre of the park.

Barca will not budge on him or Ronaldo Araujo, Pedri, and Gavi though, planning to keep all four in the Hansi Flick era.

Mbappe ‘meeting’

A little recap from yesterday here.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta finally got the chance to meet Kylian Mbappe before the 24-year-old makes a big transfer announcement.

Last summer, Mbappe was at the centre of countless transfer stories after confirming he would not be extending his stay in Paris beyond 2024. After initially being excluded from first-team activities, Mbappe returned and expectedly played a huge role in PSG winning their third consecutive Ligue 1 title.

Upon accepting his ‘Best Coach – Premier League award at the KAFD Globe Soccer Awards Europe’, Arteta shook hands with Mbappe, who was also in attendance, on stage. The duo also exchanged a brief few words with Mbappe patting the Spaniard on the back as he walked away.

Good morning

Plenty coming up for you today.

We’ll be taking a look at why Kylian Mbappe is in the news, the best defence Arsenal could have next season, the latest on some of the coaching staff and the latest from the transfer market.

Stay tuned.

Zubimendi transfer update

Martin Zubimendi remains an Arsenal transfer target but a new report from HITC suggest the Gunners could move onto other options this summer.

Mikel Arteta has been determined to land the Real Sociedad star, but it does not appear he wants to leave at this point.

Arsenal linked with Archie Gray transfer

Arsenal are said to be one of the clubs interested in Leeds United star Archie Gray.

“Arsenal have been one of a number of clubs linked with Archie Gray at Leeds United,” transfer guru Fabrizio Romano revealed via Caught Offside.

“There’s interest in Gray from Germany and England, for sure. Leeds were hoping to keep both Gray and Crysencio Summerville but it might be difficult now after they missed out on promotion to the Premier League, so yes – I expect movement on these two players and we will see how Leeds will react.”

Edu eyes potential £182m windfall

Arsenal go into the summer transfer market with a level of financial restriction caused by the ever-present Profit and Sustainability Regulations. The club have managed to compete whilst complying with these rules but had to delay the permanent signing of David Raya last summer as a result.

While completing new signings will be an aim, raising funds through selling first-team players will also be a priority. With that in mind, football.london assesses how much the minimum expectation on price should be for each of the 10 players who could be sold from the senior side this summer.

Source: https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/arsenal-news-transfers-live-joshua-29254838