Arsenal transfer news LIVE – Nico Williams wanted, Rodrygo approach, Sesko ‘discount’, Zubimendi latest

Marc Guehi linked

According to The Athletic, Arteta is interested in bringing an experienced centre-back into his squad, with Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi someone who is high on their list.

The 24-year-old has earned rave reviews in the Premier League since joining the Eagles from Chelsea in 2021 after an impressive loan spell with Championship side Swansea City.

Not only has Guehi helped Crystal Palace win the FA Cup for the first time in their history and subsequently qualify for Europe, he is now a permanent fixture in the England squad and a regular starter.

Crystal Palace defender Marc

Ollie Watkins transfer latest

Arsenal revisiting their interest in Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins this summer cannot be completely ruled out, according to the latest reports.

The Gunners were rumoured to have made a move for the 29-year-old during the January transfer window following long-term injuries to both Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz. However, a deal failed to materialise, and Mikel Arteta instead made do with his existing squad, which included occasionally pushing midfielder Mikel Merino further forward.

Now that the summer transfer window is open, Arsenal are once again stepping up their search for attacking reinforcements.

MORE HERE.

Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa has been linked with a move to Arsenal

18:54Mark Wakefield

Xabi Alonso verdict

Arsenal look all set to complete a move for Martin Zubimendi, with the Real Sociedad midfielder edging closer to a Premier League switch.

The 26-year-old, widely coveted by Mikel Arteta, could be the club’s first marquee summer acquisition, even as Real Madrid loom as competition for his signature.

Zubimendi’s rise has caught the eye both domestically and internationally, leading to mounting anticipation from the Arsenal faithful. But it’s Xabi Alonso’s high praise that really emphasises the potential impact of his arrival, wherever he may end up.

Benjamin Sesko update

Arsenal could face a battle in the race to sign RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko this summer.

The Gunners have been heavily linked with signing Sesko for the last few months, with Sesko scoring 21 goals for Leipzig last term. football.london reported that Arsenal are making advances in their efforts to sign Sesko this summer.

It’s also understood that progress has been made in negotiations between Arsenal and Leipzig in a potential deal to bring Sesko to the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal have until 7pm on Tuesday to complete their transfer business before the window closes for almost a week. The window will reopen on June 16 and remain so for the rest of the summer, which would appear to be the most likely time that the Gunners would agree a deal to sign Sesko.

MORE HERE.

Benjamin Sesko has been linked heavily with a move to Arsenal this summe

17:00Mark Wakefield

Nico Williams update

Arsenal are reported to have an interest in signing Athletic Club forward Nico Williams.

Spanish news outlet Onda Vasca has claimed that the Gunners are in the race to sign Williams, who is also wanted by Bayern Munich.

The report goes on to suggest, though, that Williams could be more likely to stay in Bilbao this summer, even though more clubs have seemingly joined the race to sign the Spain international.

Nico Williams has been linked with a summer move to Arsenal

Martin Zubimendi transfer latest

Arsenal are not expected to complete the signing of Martin Zubimendi before the transfer window closes…but do not fret, the next transfer window will open in six days’ time.

The summer transfer window has been split in two this season, because of the Club World Cup competition taking place in the United States of America.

To give those teams taking part – and everyone else – the opportunity to strengthen their squads prior to the group stages kicking off, FIFA opened the transfer window early on June 1 this year.

MORE HERE.

Martin Zubimendi could star at the heart of Arsenal’s midfield next season(Image: Marcel ter Bals/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)

15:55Mark Wakefield

Kieran Tierney message

Kieran Tierney has completed his move to Celtic, with the former Arsenal man signing a five-year deal with the Scottish champions.

The 28-year-old was released by the Gunners this summer after his contract at Emirates Stadium expired. Having played 144 times for the north Londoners since arriving from Celtic in 2019, the left-back now returns to his boyhood club and is reunited with Brendan Rodgers.

Tierney scored against Southampton on the final day of the 2024/25 season and after the match was serenaded by the away supporters at St Mary’s. His move to Celtic was confirmed by the Scottish side on Tuesday.

Kieran Tierney has joined Celtic

Done deal!

Kieran Tierney has officially completed his return to Celtic on a five-year deal following his exit from Arsenal.

The defender is set to leave the Emirates Stadium upon the expiration of his contract and will return to his boyhood club.

In a press release confirming his return, Tierney said:

Everybody’s known for a few months and just to be here with the Celtic strip on again just feels amazing . I spoke with the manager, and obviously I had worked with him before and I’ve always kept in touch with him. He’s one of the best so I’m so lucky and grateful that he’s given me the chance to come back again.

Alvarez transfer update

Atletico Madrid will aim to keep Julian Alvarez at all costs, according to the Sunday Mirror.

Arsenal and Liverpool have been linked to the former Manchester City man with the Spanish giants having spent £82million to sign him just last summer.

His agent Fernando Hidalgo has not ruled out a move to Barcelona in the future. He said: “We’ll see how things evolve, football evolves quickly and good things will happen.”

Julian Alvarez reacts after missing a chance by putting his hands on his head while playing for Atletico Madrid in a La Liga match at

Rodrygo next club odds

Arsenal are favourites to sign Rodrygo from Real Madrid in the summer transfer window, according to the latest betting markets.

A number of Premier League clubs have approached him but first talks with Xabi Alonso will take place. An exit has not been ruled out and with Mikel Arteta a big fan, he could be on his way to Emirates Stadium with Betfair’s latest odds perhaps in agreement

Betfair: Rodrygo to sign for before September 2, 2025

Arsenal 6/4

Any Saudi Pro League Club 3/1

Man City 7/2

Liverpool 4/1

Rodrygo during Real Madrid training

Zubimendi payment details

Arsenal will not trigger Martin Zubimendi’s Real Sociedad release clause but are still expected to sign him.

According to the Athletic, despite reported late attempts from Real Madrid, the deal is considered done with the Gunners to pay £55million (€65m) to sign him.

His release clause is lower than that but it has been noted that Arsenal are paying more in order to achieve the full fee using instalments.

Martin Zubimendi looking on while playing for Spain in their Nations League semi-final against France

Williams talks ‘intensify’

Bayern Munich have identified Nico Williams as an alternative if they are unable to sign Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain.

The Gunners have been linked to the Athletic Bilbao star but his wage demands, which have resulted in new contract negotiations, continue to be a stumbling block.

According to Sky Sports Germany, while talks have intensified, Bayern have similar feelings on Williams’ demands amid their pursuit of a high-profile left winger with Rafael Leao, Kaoru Mitoma and Cody Gakpo as other names linked.

Nico Williams has been linked with a summer move to Arsenal(Image: Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

11:28Kieran Horn

Partey contract timeline update

Following Arsenal’s official update that discussions were ongoing for Thomas Partey to sign a new contract, a major hint has been provided.

An extension with the Gunners was all but agreed and then talk of a move to Barcelona stopped that in its tracks. Talk of Martin Zubimendi having a late change of heart and joining Madrid saw the need for Partey to stay become paramount but the Real Sociedad star is still expected to sign for Arsenal.

And the hope is that Partey will join him at the club for the 2025/26 season with the Athletic reporting that clarity should arrive regarding his future over the coming days.

Thomas Partey in Arsenal training at the Sobha Realty Training Centre(Image: Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

10:59Kieran Horn

Gyokeres transfer twist

Viktor Gyokeres is said to have been left angered by a Sporting CP decision regarding his future.

football.london understands that Andrea Berta is thought to be a ‘big fan’, but, as it stands, an official offer hasn’t been submitted with Benjamin Sesko as the priority.

Fortunately for Arsenal, if that does change they could be given a discount if Sporting respect their initial agreement with Gyokeres.

Click here to read the full story

10:32Kieran Horn

More on Sesko as huge decision made

Benjamin Sesko is also being targeted by Saudi Pro League clubs with a big decision made as the first part of the summer transfer window is set to close this evening.

Al-Hilal are set to participate in the Club World Cup and have therefore been looking at some huge signings. Sesko became their latest priority after Victor Osimhen and Bruno Fernandes both turned down lucrative offers.

The 22-year-old also wants to stay in Europe with a huge call seemingly confirmed on his immediate future.

Slovenia face Bosnia and Herzegovina this evening but following a request from Leipzig to the Slovenian FA, as revealed by Ryan Taylor of the Mirror, Sesko will not feature as there are fears any injury could jeopardise a transfer with the striker nursing a knee issue.

Arsenal transfer target Benjamin Sesko is wanted by Saudi Pro League

Sesko transfer ‘discount’

Arsenal could use an unlikely transfer windfall to assist their transfer pursuit of Benjamin Sesko

Last week, the Gunners confirmed the sale of Nuno Tavares to Lazio following his season-long loan spell in Italy. Despite that, the Portugal international could be set for an immediate departure with Al-Hilal targeting his signature and already seeing a £25.4million (€30m) bid rejected.

Considering they have only just brought him on board permanently, selling Tavares seems highly unlikely but the chance to make serious and immediate profit is clear with Lazio setting £42.2million (€50m) as his asking price.

The Gunners will be hoping their former player does join Al-Hilal as a 35 per cent sell-on clause was inserted into that move to Lazio. If the Italian sides’ price tag is met, Arsenal will secure a sizeable windfall at just under £15million.

Those funds, in essence, could work out to be a Sesko transfer discount with Leipzig holding out for between £67.6million (€80m) and £84.4milliion (€100m).

Arsenal could be set for a financial boost in their transfer pursuit of Benjamin Sesko

Zubimendi ‘deal done’

Arsenal consider the deal to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad as complete, the Athletic’s David Ornstein has claimed.

Worries regarding an extremely late Real Madrid hijack emerged over the weekend but that has seemingly been shut down with Madrid sources stating it was never a deal actively pursued.

The latest report notes that he is expected to report to Arsenal for the start of pre-season. Zubimendi scored in Spain’s Nations League final defeat to Portugal on Sunday with Mikel Merino and David Raya also taking home runners-up medals.

Martin Zubimendi celebrates scoring for Spain against Portugal in the Nations League final

Rodrygo approach amid Arsenal transfer links

Real Madrid star Rodrygo remains on the radar of Arsenal with several Premier League clubs seemingly targeting a summer transfer.

As revealed by the Athletic, the Brazil international has been approached through intermediaries by some Premier League teams.

However, it is noted that his current stance is to first speak with Xabi Alonso before entertaining offers with it clear that he wants to feel important. His preference is to play on the left or through the middle which could be perfect for Arsenal.

Arsenal transfer target Rodrygo has been approached by a number of Premier League clubs

Hello and welcome back to the Arsenal transfer live blog right here on football.london!

The Gunners have been working on a number of deals in positions they believe need strengthening with two of those aims already on the verge of being completed.

Benjamin Sesko and Rodrygo could be the two names that fill more voids with updates revealed on Arsenal’s chances of signing both.

With that being said, stay tuned for that and much more as we bring you regular updates throughout the day!