Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Real ‘make Saliba top target’, Gunners plan ‘eye-watering’ Gyokeres bid, £55m Kounde move

ARSENAL are looking ahead to a HUGE summer transfer window as they look to close the gap at the top of the Premier League.

 

The Gunners are ready to offer Viktor Gyokeres an ‘eye-watering’ bid, according to reports following his FOUR goals in one game last weekend.

 

Elsewhere, Real Madrid have reportedly made William Saliba their top defensive target this summer.

 

Meanwhile, Arsenal are lining up a £55million move for Barcelona defender Jules Kounde.

 

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Follow ALL of the latest news, rumours and transfer updates from the Emirates below…

 

Arteta linked to Swedish midfielder

 

Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Hugo Larsson could be a £51million Arsenal target this summer.

 

The eight-cap Swede, 20, is under contract with the Bundesliga club until 2029.

 

Frankfurt reportedly hope the former Malmo starlet will stay at least one more season.

 

Gunners’ boss Mikel Arteta is said to want a long-term successor to Thomas Partey – although the Ghanaian is very much back in Arsenal’s plans for now.

 

Part-ing shot at Gunners’ midfield

 

Arsenal legend Paul Merson believes boss Mikel Arteta picked the wrong midfield in Thomas Partey’s absence against PSG.

 

The ex-England striker said: “I wasn’t shocked by the fact that PSG dominated Arsenal in midfield.

 

“The Gunners got overrun because Thomas Partey wasn’t playing.

 

“I would have played Myles Lewis-Skelly in midfield and asked Mikel Merino to play up front. Arsenal made too many changes for a game like that in my opinion.”

 

Arsenal files

 

SunSport has taken a delve into life behind the scenes at Emirates.

 

We’ve the very latest on Martin Odegaard, Fabio Vieira, and Mikel Arteta’s summer transfer plans.

 

Arsenal files: Gunners consider shock summer move for relegated Leicester star

 

Dembele health update

 

Paris-Saint Germain has released an official update on Ousmane Dembele’s injury.

 

Dembele scored the only goal at the Emirates on Tuesday night, beating David Raya inside four minutes, as PSG took a slender lead back to Paris for next week’s decider.

 

However, the forward was forced off during the second half and has subsequently been unable to train.

 

A statement on PSG’s official website read: “Ousmane Dembele has strained his right hamstring.

 

“His condition is progressing well. A further assessment will be carried out shortly.”

 

Partey on

 

Arsenal midfield machine Thomas Partey was expected to leave the club at the end of this season, but a rich vein of form has prompted the Gunners to consider offering him a new two-year deal.

 

There are also reports linking him with a move back to Spain to join Barcelona.

 

But Wilfred Osei Kwaku Palmer, who gave a young Partey his first opportunity in football, says Partey should seize the opportunity to become an Arsenal legend.

 

He said: “This is probably his best season since he went there, and if there’s a chance for him to stay, then that should be his home.

 

“The fans love him, and I know he could make more money elsewhere, but I know him and he’s got it in him to play at the highest level for the next five years.

 

“So why not do that at one of the best clubs in the world?”

 

Racism probe

 

Arsenal vowed to take the “strongest possible action” after a video emerged of a group of fans appearing to racially abuse Paris Saint-Germain players.

 

PSG earned a 1-0 victory in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday.

 

However, after the game, a small section of supporters seemingly targeted some PSG players with monkey noises and gestures.

 

And Arsenal released a strongly-worded statement in response to the video.

 

The Premier League club said: “We strongly condemn all forms of racism and discrimination.

 

“We are working to identify the individuals in the video and we will take the strongest possible action.”

 

Nwaneri stepping on Arsenal superstar’s toes

 

Ethan Nwaneri has been rapidly raising through the ranks and could soon put pressure on Martin Odegaard’s place in starting 11, according to Football Insider.

 

Arsenal are working to secure a new contract for the 18-year-old and he is expected to “push to be a regular”.

 

He is currently under the contract with Arsenal until 2027.

 

Odegaard has been under scrutiny following his underwhelming display in Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final first leg defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

 

And Odegaard’s place could be threatened as Arteta looks for way to accommodate the young rising star.

 

‘Odegaard should be stripped of captaincy’

 

Martin Odegaard should be stripped of the Arsenal captaincy, according to ex-Match of the Day pundit Mark Lawrenson.

 

The former Liverpool defender did not hold back after Odegaard’s underwhelming display in Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final first leg defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

 

He told Paddy Power: “The captain’s armband should be taken away from Odegaard, so he can get back to focusing on his performances.

 

“We all know that he’s a good player, but he’s just had a six out of 10 season.

 

“If you gave Declan Rice the armband instead, you imagine that it wouldn’t affect his performances, especially considering he was captain at West Ham.”

 

 

Saliba swap deal

 

It has been previously revealed that Real Madrid has made William Saliba their top target.

 

And Los Blancos might have achieved a breakthrough in their pursuit of singing the defender as Arsenal’s manager Mikel Arteta is reportedly “willing to part” with Saliba.

 

According to Defensa Central, Saliba also “would be delighted to join the Madrid project”.

 

But, Arsenal wants Aurélien Tchouaméni in exchange.

 

However, Madrid aren’t looking to sell Tchouaméni and the midfielder himself wants to stay with the club.

 

Gunners eye £51m Bundesliga ace

 

Arsenal are interested in Larsson and could make a formal approach during the off-season to secure his service.

 

Frankfurt don’t want to part ways with him with his existing deal set to run until 2029. Champions League qualification may even help them to persuade him to stay for one more year at least.

 

If the German club are forced to sell, they will reportedly demand £51million for his services.

 

Arteta stance on Rashford revealed

 

Mikel Arteta is a long-term admirer of Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford – but a move to Arsenal is unlikely.

 

The Gunners are prioritising signing a central striker rather than a wide forward like Rashford, 27, this summer.

 

Alexander Isak, Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres are on the club’s shortlist and a decision will need to be made.

 

Arsenal sources claim that they were offered Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins in the final week of the January transfer window, but he – like Rashford – is unlikely to move to north London.

 

Merson highlights Arsenal problem

 

Paul Merson believes Mikel Arteta picked the wrong midfield in Thomas Partey’s absence against PSG.

 

He said: “I wasn’t shocked by the fact that PSG dominated Arsenal in midfield.

 

“The Gunners got overrun because Thomas Partey wasn’t playing.

 

“I would have played Myles Lewis-Skelly in midfield and asked Mikel Merino to play up front. Arsenal made too many changes for a game like that in my opinion.”

 

Gunners plot Prem striker move

 

Arsenal are planning to reignite their bid to sign Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins this summer, according to Football Insider.

 

Villa knocked back a £50million offer from the London giants for their star striker, 29, in the January transfer window.

 

Watkins has seen his game time reduced following the arrivals of Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio and made clear his grievance.

 

Liverpool are also said to be monitoring the England star.

 

PSG sweating over Dembele injury

 

Paris Saint-Germain are sweating over the fitness of Ousmane Dembele ahead of their Champions League semi-final second leg against Arsenal.

 

Dembele scored the only goal at the Emirates on Tuesday night, beating David Raya inside four minutes, as PSG took a slender lead back to Paris for next week’s decider.

 

However, Dembele was forced off during the second half and has subsequently been unable to train.

 

PSG are next in action this weekend against Strasbourg, though with the league title already wrapped up there is no pressure to field a full-strength team and risk players before the visit of the Gunners.

 

RMC Sport report that Dembele sat out the training session on Thursday as a precaution and is now considered a doubt to face Liam Rosenior’s side.

Eze decision

Eberechi Eze is reportedly on Arsenal’s radar this summer.

 

The Palace forward has enjoyed a superb season and has 12 goal contributions in 30 Premier League games.

 

According to TBR Football, Eze has told Palace he wants to move on in the summer – and the Gunners are one side interested.

Arsenal investigate

The Gunners vowed to take the “strongest possible action” after a video emerged of a group of fans appearing to racially abuse Paris Saint-Germain players.

PSG earned a 1-0 victory in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final at the Emirates on Tuesday.

 

A video, first reported by RMC Sport, showed five men standing behind a fence overlooking the car park where the French side’s bus was parked.