ARSENAL duo Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard have both been nominated for the Premier League Player of the Month award for March.
The talented pair are included in a six-man short list as they look to follow in Martin Odegaard's footsteps who came won the prize in November/December.
Meanwhile, Brighton CEO Paul Barber has conceded Moises Caicedo will eventually ‘get his chance’ to play for a bigger club after the Ecuador international was denied the opportunity to move to Arsenal in January.
And the Gunners have been tipped to land Real Valladolid right-back Ivan Fresneda this summer.
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- Gary Stonehouse
Morning, Arsenal fans
Moussa Diaby, Rasmus Højlund and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia lead the transfer speculation.
The Gunners and now Newcastle are said to be monitoring £62million-rated Bayer Leverkusen winger Diaby.
Atalanta striker Højlund, 20, also won't come cheap, having been rated as potentially better than Erling Haaland.
But recruiting Napoli wideman Kvaratskhelia looks a long shot.
That's because the runaway Serie A leaders believe they can afford to keep him – if as expected Victor Osimhen leaves.
Osimhen is tipped for a summer move, with Manchester United warm favorites for the Nigeria forward ahead of PSG.
So Napoli will be extra keen to retain their other main attacking menace, Kvaratskhelia.
Meanwhile, Folarin Balogun is said to have a growing list of admirers willing to bid in the summer.
The Arsenal goal-getter, 21, has been a loan sensation for Reims in Ligue 1.
- Ian Tuckey
Arsenal duo nominated for award
Both Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard have been nominated for the Premier League Player of the Month award for March.
The duo are included in a six-man shortlist of the best performers from the month, as they look to follow in Martin Odegaard’s footsteps who came out on top in November/December.
Arsenal fans can vote for the winner with Mo Salah, Alexander Isak, Alexis Mac Allister and Tyrone Mings also up for the prize.
- Ian Tuckey
Balogun in demand
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claims that “many, many clubs” are interested in signing Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun this summer.
He said: “There are really many, many clubs interested in Folarin Balogun. But we have to remember it’s still March and not time to decide the next move.
“Arsenal director Edu will meet with Balogun’s agents in May/June to prepare the market and decide together. For sure, Balogun wants to play.”
- Ian Tuckey
Moises will 'get chance'
Brighton CEO Paul Barber has conceded Moises Caicedo will eventually ‘get his chance’ to play for a bigger club after the Ecuador international was denied the opportunity to move to Arsenal in January.
Speaking to The Beautiful Game Podcast, Barber said: “For us in January selling Moises was not a good move.
“He was one of our best players at the beginning of the season, and we were in a great position in the league, still in the FA Cup and there was a lot of football to play.
“We want to try and achieve our best-ever finish in the Premier League and if we do that there is a chance that we could qualify for European competitions.
“The stakes for us in the second half of the season and Moises was a big part of that.”
- Ian Tuckey
Arsenal only Prem's 6th-best payers
Chelsea and Manchester United's annual wage bill busts the £200million mark – at seven times more than Brentford's.
And although the traditional "Big Six" are the top half-dozen payers, table-toppers Arsenal are bottom of that list on £98m.
Online independent casino reviewer CasinoBonusCA compiled the table, with Chelsea belying their mediocre season by heading the pile above United and then Manchester City.
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Arsenal £97,878,000 - Ian Tuckey
Toon and Gunners battle for Diaby
Newcastle have reportedly joined the race for Bayer Leverkusen star Moussa Diaby and look set to challenge Arsenal with their financial muscle.
90min report that Newcastle are looking to move in on long-term Arsenal target Diaby.
The winger has been linked with a summer move to the Emirates after another impressive season in Germany.
But Newcastle are set to get involved in the transfer hunt as they look to add some cutting edge to their goal-shy attack.
They are reportedly set to spend this summer with £62m-rated Diaby among the targets.
- Ian Tuckey
Gunners, Chelsea and City Arsenal eye Wilfried
Wilfried Gnonto is at the centre of a transfer battle as Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City eye the Leeds star, reports say.
Gazzetta dello Sport report that City, Arsenal and Chelsea are interested in the Italian, who could come up against England in the Euro qualifier tonight.
Leeds bought Gnonto for a reported fee of just £4m from FC Zurich last summer and they could now make a tidy profit for him if they do opt to sell.
- Ian Tuckey
Arsenal tipped to miss out on Napoli winger Khvicha
Napoli expect to keep Khvicha Kvaratskhelia despite Arsenal reportedly being keen on the Georgia winger.
Kvaratskhelia has notched 14 goals and 14 assists in 30 Serie A games for the runaway leaders.
But Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio reckons Victor Osimhen's probable exit – with Manchester United favourites to land the Nigeria striker – means Napoli can afford to keep their other main attacking star.
Di Marzio told Kelbet: “I don’t think Kvaratskhelia can leave Napoli to go to Arsenal.
"He has only been there for one season and it is really unlikely that the club will sell him now .
“Napoli must absolutely keep him for at least another season and then he could leave.
“If they sell Osimhen for 150 million euros (£132m) they are more than happy and then they don’t need to sell Kvaratskhelia."
- Ian Tuckey
Gunners tipped to land Fresneda
Arsenal are rated frontrunners for Ivan Fresneda after claims Juventus have dropped out of the running for the Real Valladolid right-back.
Gazzetta dello Sport say the Italian giants have switched attention to Spezia’s Emil Holm.
Fresneda, 18, was linked with the Gunners in January.
He lost his regular starting spot with Valladolid in February but regained it this month.
- Kealan Hughes
Arsenal chasing next Erling Haaland
Arsenal are considering a move for a Serie A striker who can "do more than Erling Haaland".
Pundits back Atalanta star Rasmus Højlund to be the next big thing.
The Denmark international has become a regular for his club since the World Cup break and has hit a purple patch of form.
The 20-year-old is reportedly being eyed by Arsenal to help boost their attack even further next season.
Tutto Atalanta report that the Gunners are in the lead for the frontman – and are willing to cough up around £45m to land him.
- Kealan Hughes
Clubs tracking impressive Arsenal youngster
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claims that “many, many clubs” are interested in signing Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun this summer.
He said: "“There are really many, many clubs interested in Folarin Balogun. But we have to remember it’s still March and not time to decide the next move.
"Arsenal director Edu will meet with Balogun’s agents in May/June to prepare the market and decide together. For sure, Balogun wants to play.”
- Kealan Hughes
Arsenal duo nominated for award
Both Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard have been nominated for the Premier League Player of the Month award for March.
The duo are included in a six-man shortlist of the best performers from the month, as they look to follow in Martin Odegaard's footsteps who came out on top in November/December.
Arsenal fans can vote for the winner with Mo Salah, Alexander Isak, Alexis Mac Allister and Tyrone Mings also up for the prize.
- Kealan Hughes
Arsenal in battle for Gnonto
Wilfried Gnonto is at the centre of a transfer battle as Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City eye the Leeds star, reports say.
Gazzetta dello Sport report that City, Arsenal and Chelsea are interested in the Italian, who could come up against England in the Euro qualifier tonight.
Leeds bought Gnonto for a reported fee of just £4m from FC Zurich last summer and they could now make a tidy profit for him if they do opt to sell.
- Kealan Hughes
Brighton chief discusses Caicedo transfer
Brighton CEO Paul Barber has conceded Moises Caicedo will eventually ‘get his chance’ to play for a bigger club after the Ecuador international was denied the opportunity to move to Arsenal in January.
Speaking to The Beautiful Game Podcast, Barber said: "For us in January selling Moises was not a good move.
"He was one of our best players at the beginning of the season, and we were in a great position in the league, still in the FA Cup and there was a lot of football to play.
"We want to try and achieve our best-ever finish in the Premier League and if we do that there is a chance that we could qualify for European competitions.
"The stakes for us in the second half of the season and Moises was a big part of that."
- Kealan Hughes
Newcastle eye Arsenal transfer target
Newcastle have reportedly joined the race for Bayer Leverkusen star Moussa Diaby and look set to challenge Arsenal with their financial muscle.
90min report that Newcastle are looking to move in on long-term Arsenal target Diaby.
The winger has been linked with a summer move to the Emirates after another impressive season in Germany.
But Newcastle are set to get involved in the transfer hunt as they look to add some cutting edge to their goal-shy attack.
They are reportedly set to spend this summer with £62m-rated Diaby among the targets.
- Ian Tuckey
The Buk stops with Jack
Jack Grealish has revealed he jokingly confronted Bukayo Saka after the pair linked up on England duty.
Speaking to The Times, he said: “I’m playing for City on the wing, he’s playing for Arsenal on the wing and we’re both going for the Premier League.
“But that is another thing that the manager here at England has done so well.
“We feel like a group of team-mates that are together. Back at your club, you’re rivals but everyone just clicks here.
“He’s a great lad, Bukayo. In the game the other week, I went past someone and then me and him went shoulder to shoulder.
“I thought, ‘He [the referee] has got to give it as a foul’, because I can’t have Bukayo saying that he bodied me.
“I pulled him up on that this morning and he said it was never a foul!”
- Ian Tuckey
Juve 'pull out of Ivan race'
Arsenal are rated frontrunners for Ivan Fresneda after claims Juventus have dropped out of the running for the Real Valladolid right-back.
Gazzetta dello Sport say the Italian giants have switched attention to Spezia's Emil Holm.
Fresneda, 18, was linked with the Gunners in January.
He lost his regular starting spot with Valladolid in February but regained it this month.
- Ian Tuckey
Saka tipped to be Arsenal's best-paid player
Bukayo Saka is tipped to soon land a new contract and become Arsenal's best-paid player ever.
That's the claim from the podcast host of The Chris Wheatley Show as Gunners boss Mikel Arteta aims to tie down his brightest young stars.
Saka and William Saliba are expected to follow Gabriel Martinelli in agreeing extended stays.
Wheatley said: "It is all but sealed. Bukayo Saka is expected to put pen to paper on that new long-term deal very shortly.
"It's all agreed from Saka's side. It's all agreed from Arsenal's side. I think it's just dotting the Is and crossing the Ts – a nice British expression there for you. But yeah, I think it's just a matter of time before it's confirmed.
"Bukayo Saka is going to become Arsenal's highest-paid player. And I think many Arsenal fans and many people in the game will agree it's deserved after what he's contributed over the last couple of seasons."
- Ian Tuckey
Fans fear Folarin will choose USA
Fans fear Arsenal star Folarin Balogun is set to team up with the USA after being left out of the England squad.
The striker has impressed on loan at Stade Reims this season scoring 17 goals in 27 Ligue 1 games.
But it was not enough for Gareth Southgate to give Balogun his first England call-up.
And he has reacted negatively to the news, posting a cryptic message on Instagram.
It read: "In life go where you are appreciated."
A few days later Balogun withdrew from the England Under-21s squad through injury.
And he has now fuelled speculation he could be set to quit England by rocking up in Orlando, Florida.
The USMNT is training in the city ahead of games against Grenada and El Salvador in the CONCACAF Nations League.
Balogun shared some photos from Orlando on Twitter alongside the caption: "🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 you know what to do."
Fans fear he is ready to jump ship with one commenting: "Southgate losing England one of the best young talents in the world."
- Ian Tuckey
Gunners linked to Jesper
Eintracht Frankfurt winger Jesper Lindstrom is tipped to pursue a summer exit – after being linked with Arsenal and Liverpool.
Italian clubs are also said to be keen on the Denmark winger, 23.
Frankfurt would want around £25million for the 23-year-old.
- Ian Tuckey
Mesut names greatest XI he's played with
Mesut Ozil, 34, ended his playing days with Istanbul Basaksehir, taking to social media with a lengthy statement.
He cited his recent injury woes as one of the key reasons behind his decision.
And Ozil thanked each of his clubs for his 18-year professional career.
In that time, he has played at Schalke, Werder Bremen, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Fenerbahce and then Basaksehir – as well as winning the World Cup and 92 caps for Germany.
And that has meant Ozil can boast an impressive list of former team-mates.
- Ian Tuckey
Gunners favourites to sign Fresneda
Arsenal are rated frontrunners for Ivan Fresneda after claims Juventus have dropped out of the running for the Real Valladolid right-back.
Gazzetta dello Sport say the Italian giants have switched attention to Spezia's Emil Holm.
Fresneda, 18, was linked with the Gunners in January.
He lost his regular starting spot with Valladolid in February but regained it this month.
- Ian Tuckey
Take Rice over Jude 'all day long'
Ex-Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell would take Declan Rice over Jude Bellingham "all day long".
The Gunners are favourites to land £100million-rated West Ham anchorman Rice in the summer.
And Liverpool as well as Real Madrid are rated as frontrunners for fellow England midfielder Bellingham, ahead of Manchester United and Chelsea.
Campbell told the Highbury Squad YouTube channel of Rice:“We like him, we like him a lot.
I’m not saying that Bellingham is not a top class player, but to get a player who can sit at the base of the midfield, dictate play and do all of the ugly stuff, we’ve seen it for years, they’re so hard to find.
"Before Partey we were all over the place."
- Ian Tuckey
Takehiro vows to return a 'better person'
Takehiro Tomiyasu believes missing Arsenal's title run-in with injury can make him a "better person"
Tomiyasu and fellow defender William Saliba face lay-offs following injuries in last week's Europa League exit against Sporting Lisbon.
"I believe that this is the opportunity to be a better person and player.
"Thank you for your warm message and support. See you soon!!!"
Tomiyasu had lost his first-choice place at right-back to Ben White this season.
But he's still racked up 31 appearances, largely because he can play on either flank.
- Ian Tuckey
RVP 'proud' of Malacia
Man United and Arsenal legend Robin van Persie has heaped praise on Red Devils' full-back Tyrell Malacia.
Malacia joined United in a £13million deal from Feyenoord last summer.
And while he has been in and out of the first team, he has more than proven his utility as a squad player for Erik ten Hag.
United legend Van Persie played alongside Malacia on 17 occasions while both were at Feyenoord.
And the striker has revealed how "proud" he is at how well the defender is doing.
He told Man Utd media: "I do believe, per window, [you have] to get a couple of the right players in, and Tyrell Malacia is one of them.
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