Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Gunners targeting ‘next Mbappe’ to solve striker issues, move for Xavi Simons 

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Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Gunners targeting ‘next Mbappe’ to solve striker issues, move for Xavi Simons

 

ARSENAL are looking ahead to a HUGE summer transfer window after another trophyless season.

 

The Gunners have been linked with a move for Leipzig 10 Xavi Simons, with the club reportedly looking to replace Martin Odegaard in the summer.

 

Their striker search has also cropped up the ‘next Mbappe,’ Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike.

 

Elsewhere, Arsenal are targetting Rodrygo, who could be set to leave Real Madrid this summer.

 

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Set free

 

There are 16 full England internationals set to become free agents this summer.

 

Arsenal are set to release two high-profile midfielders once their contracts expire in June.

 

SunSport have gone through the entire free agent list as clubs prepare for a busy window.

 

 

Every Prem star out of contract in summer including 15 ex-England heroes & Trent

 

 

Raya headed for landmark achievement

 

David Raya could win his second consecutive Golden Glove award this weekend.

 

The Gunners goalkeeper has kept 13 Prem clean sheets this season, the same number as Forest stopper Matz Sels.

 

Take a look at Raya’s impressive stats this season.

 

 

Arteta on Havertz return

 

Mikel Arteta is thrilled to have Kai Havertz back following a three-month injury layoff.

 

The Arsenal boss said of the German: “You could tell how excited he was.

 

“He’s been working so hard. I think he’s done great with the medical staff to get back in the shape and in the form that he is at the moment.

 

“He was desperate to contribute and I’m pretty happy to see him back.”

 

Part to play

 

Mikel Arteta has offered an update on Thomas Partey’s future, with the midfielder’s contract set to expire.

 

The Spaniard said: “There’s some question marks on a few of them, so we’ll have to wait and see.

 

“We still have another Premier League match to play on Sunday and after that, we have some time to sit down and finalise a few things that have to be done.

 

“In regards to Thomas, I think consistency-wise it’s been his best season. I think the way he’s played and performed, his availability has been exceptional and he’s a really important player for us.”

 

Arsenal fail in defender pursuit

 

Arsenal held talks with Dean Huijsen prior to the Bournemouth ace signing for Real Madrid.

 

The Gunners were one of several Premier League sides interested in the Spain international.

 

According to The Athletic, Mikel Arteta assured Huijsen’s team that he would get plenty of game time, despite Arsenal having a settled partnership in William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.

 

Huijsen instead opted for Real Madrid, who he will join following the Premier League’s conclusion on Sunday.

 

Pundit questions Isak swoop

 

Former Manchester United and Tottenham star Teddy Sheringham has questioned whether Newcasle forward Alexander Isak would want to join Arsenal.

 

Sheringham told Prime Casino: “I think, you know, he’s absolutely lauded as a centre forward in Newcastle, so why would he want to go.

 

“He might not want to change. It doesn’t get much better than fans loving you, and your team playing to the best aspects of your game, and you are the focal point. You’re earning good money and you’re in the team.

 

“You’re playing at the top level and players understand you and your manager loves you. So, you know, you, I’d be very surprised if he would want to go anywhere else at the moment.

 

“Newcastle look nailed on for Champions League football next season. They’re a club moving in the right direction, won their first trophy in 70-odd years this season.

 

“I think all of their top players will want to stay, and I think it would take ridiculous money to get one of Isak, Gordon or Guimares out of the club now. They don’t have to sell them with the carrot of Champions League football.”

 

 

Tuchel on leaving out White

 

Ben White is not in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad, despite returning to Three Lions contention.

 

On the decision, Tuchel said: “We had a talk and decided at the moment, not at this moment because he will become a father very soon and the baby is due on the exact date of the camp.

 

“It is his first child and we thought if he comes back he should come back with a free mind and to focus on football so this would not be the case.

 

“He has played lately but he could improve 15 or 20 per cent in physical ability so we thought in all circumstances he is not with us.”

 

 

Pundit on Arsenal transfers

 

Former Liverpool and Match of the Day star Mark Lawrenson has called on Arsenal to sign a striker this summer.

 

Lawro told Paddy Power: “It’s clear to see that Arsenal are a good side, but they must push the boat out in the summer for a striker.

 

“If they had scored an extra 15-20 goals, they may have won the league this season.

 

“The rest of their squad doesn’t need much improvement, so they must go all out for a forward.

 

“Arsenal have drawn 14 games in the league this season, so if they turned half of those draws into wins, then they could have challenged for the title more.

 

“It’s imperative that they get a striker this summer and I’d be stunned if they didn’t.”

 

Pundit criticised Gyokeres

 

Former Liverpool and Match of the Day star Mark Lawrenson has played down Sporting CP striker and Arsenal target Viktor Gyokeres’ ability.

 

Lawro told Paddy Power: “I don’t think Viktor Gyokeres is that good, so I am surprised that so many English teams are reportedly in for him.

 

“It’s all well and good scoring goals in Portugal but coming to England and doing it, is very different.

 

“If he was to come to the Premier League, I can only see him going to Manchester

 

England call-ups

 

Myles Lewis-Skelly, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka have been called up by England boss Thomas Tuchel.

 

The Arsenal trio will be in contention to feature in matches against Andorra and Senegal.

 

 

Spurs star on Arsenal

 

Victorious Tottenham star Kevin Danso was asked if he had a message for rivals Arsenal following his side’s Europa League triumph.

 

The defender said: “To be honest, I couldn’t care less what they do. I’m at Tottenham Hotspur, we just won the Europa League.”

 

 

Raya in Golden Glove hunt

 

David Raya could win a second consecutive Golden Glove award this Sunday.

 

The Spaniard is level with Nottingham Forest’s Matz Sels on 13 Prem clean sheets for the season.

 

Raya will take on Southampton this summer, while Sels will be in action against Chelsea in a huge match in the battle for Champions League qualification.

 

 

 

Jurrien Timber update

 

Mikel Arteta has given an update Jurrien Timber’s injury.

 

The Gunners boss said: “Jurrien had surgery on Tuesday morning on his ankle.

 

“He’s been feeling that discomfort for many, many weeks. He’s been navigating through the season with that issue and it needed to be resolved, so he’s going to be out for a while.”

 

 

Arteta on final day

 

Mikel Arteta has spoken of his excitement for next season ahead of Arsenal’s final day clash with Southampton.

 

The Spaniard said: “I am excited [for next season] but now I need to rest a little bit, to calm down and to start to make certain decisions in the most efficient way with the right timing to make sure that I can rest.

 

“I have quite a clear picture, but I need a few more things to then have real clarity and analysis and describe the season with the right words, because I know that that’s going to be very, very important.

 

“You need to reset. In order to do that, there are many parts.

 

“You need to rest, then you need to be very convinced and aligned with what you want to do to give yourself the next chance to be where we want to be, and then you need to start to feel that feeling in your tummy that you’re willing to come back here on day one, fully motivated and enthusiastic to go again with the group of players and staff that we have.”

 

 

Gyokeres’ uncle speaks out

 

Viktor Gyokeres’ uncle reckons his nephew will SNUB Manchester United and Arsenal this summer.

 

The Gyokeres family reportedly “made a decision” around the dinner table before celebrating Sporting Lisbon’s successive league triumph.

 

Gyokeres’ uncle Chris dropped a major bombshell about his nephew’s future on the final day of Liga Portugal.

 

He believes that the sought-after striker will remain at Sporting Lisbon next season.

 

Wearing a Sporting scarf and jersey, he said: “I’m super happy, this is amazing.

 

“We were here last year, it’s the same spirit, the same people, the same atmosphere. Absolutely fantastic! Beyond words!

 

“Yesterday at dinner we decided that he has to stay.

 

“Yes, we think so. We hope so, because look… We love it, it’s incredible, the country, the people and Sporting. And the Lions.”

 

 

Trossard set for stay

 

Leandro Trossard is in talks over extending his stay at Arsenal.

 

The forward is currently contracted to the North London side until 2027.

 

The BBC have claimed that “all parties are confident” an agreement can be made.

 

Trossard had gained interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia.

 

Cesc to disrupt Arsenal plans

 

Cesc Fabregas is reportedly eyeing up a move for Arsenal target Yeremay Hernandez.

 

The Deportivo La Coruna winger has caught the eye of Arsenal and Chelsea and has even been scouted by the Prem giants.

 

However, Fabregas has admitted that he is a big fan of the player.

 

He said: “We are following Yeremay, yes… he’s an excellent player.”

 

Set free

 

There are 16 full England internationals set to become free agents this summer.

 

Arsenal are set to release two high-profile midfielders once their contracts expire in June.

 

SunSport have gone through the entire free agent list as clubs prepare for a busy window.

 

Every Prem star out of contract in summer including 15 ex-England heroes & Trent

 

Gunner bow out

 

Arsenal have reportedly withdrawn from the race to sign Leory Sane.

 

The former Manchester City star was a target for the Gunners ahead of his exit from Bayern Munich.

 

However, Sane will not be heading to the Emirates as Sky Germany have claimed the club have pulled out of the race.

 

Arteta’s blunt Partey answer

 

Mikel Arteta gave a blunt answer when asked about Thomas Partey.

 

The midfielder has been linked with a move away from Arsenal this summer.

 

But the Spaniard could have something else in mind.

 

When asked if he wants to keep Partey, Arteta said: “Yeah, I said it many times.”

Women can inspire men

 

Mikel Arteta has suggested that the Arsenal women’s team can inspire the men if they win the Champions League final on Saturday.

 

He said: “I will be watching, I will be wishing and I think everybody is fully on board, bringing that energy to them.

 

“It’s going to be an incredible moment for the club, for them. So I wish them all the very best and we will be watching.

 

“For sure.

 

“The women, what we do in the academy, at any level, anything that is very positive for the football club, we are more than happy to do that.”

 

Hot Rod

 

Reports continue to link Rodrygo with a move to the Emirates next season.

 

The Brazilian joined Real Madrid in 2019 after joining from Santos.

 

He has won three LaLiga titles in Spain, as well as the Champions League twice and the Copa del Rey.

 

It is believed that Chelsea have dropped out of the running to sign the star

 

Arsenal ‘need goal threat’

 

Mikel Arteta has admitted that Arsenal need more firepower in the attacking areas after an injury-hit season.

 

The Gunners struggled to keep pace with Liverpool after Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz were injured for notable periods.

 

This led to much frustration from fans when the club refused to sign a striker in the January window.

 

Arteta said: “What is clear with the amount of injuries we had in the front line is that we need a goal threat, we need the firepower out there, and understanding that the context can change tomorrow.

 

“We cannot rely just on the numbers we had before.

 

“We have to add goals, we have to add creativity, we have to add numbers and that will be in different positions.”

 

Timber return timeline

 

Mikel Arteta has admitted that is it not yet known when Jurrien Timber will return to training following surgery.

 

He said: “We don’t know yet. It will depend how the recovery goes. It will be weeks, but we don’t know exactly how much.

 

“Hopefully, it will be somewhere near the pre-season, if everything goes well, but we don’t know yet.”

 

Gyokeres admission

 

Viktor Gyokeres has made an admission about his future ahead of the summer transfer window.

 

The Sporting Lisbon star has been tipped for a move this year with Manchester United and Arsenal among the interested clubs.

 

When asked if he would be staying in Portugal, he added: “We’ll see.

 

“It’s the future. Football is like that, you never know what’s going to happen.

 

“As we saw this season, you never know what’s going to happen. And it’s the same thing now. We’ll see what the future holds.”