SOUTHAMPTON'S Romeo Lavia is still a target for Arsenal, but he'll cost around £50million, according to reports.
The Gunners are reportedly closing in on a deal to sign Jurrien Timber from Ajax for £45million.
And that deal will come after they confirm Declan Rice's £105m move from West Ham, with the England midfielder set for his medical.
Elsewhere, in another huge boost for the Gunners, William Saliba is set to sign a new contract THIS WEEK!
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Stay up to date with all the latest from the Emirates Stadium…
- By Kostas Lianos
Romeo Lavia term
Arsenal's bid for Southampton star Romeo Lavia will depend on Thomas Partey's future.
That is according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who reports that Liverpool are also keen on Lavia.
That is despite the fact they have signed Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister.
But Saints have slapped a £50million fee on the midfielder following their relegation.
- By Jon Boon
Wingers eyed
Arsenal are looking at buying in a winger to take the work load off Bukayo Saka.
The Gunners were over reliant upon the England winger, who played 48 times for his club in all competitions last campaign.
And according to 90min, Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams is being considered.
Villarreal’s Samuel Chukwueze also appeals to Mikel Arteta's side, while a move for out of contract Wilfried Zaha has also been suggested.
- By Jon Boon
Arsenal's Lavia boost
Arsenal have been given a boost with news that Chelsea have cooled their interest in Romeo Lavia.
The Saint midfielder is reportedly a target for the Gunners and has been suggested as a replacement for Thomas Partey, who could leave the club in the summer.
According to Football London, the £50million price tag is much higher than Chelsea's valuation.
Man City also have a buy-back clause of just £40million that expires in 2024.
- By Jon Boon
Balogun sale
Arsenal are now happy to sell Folarin Balogun, according to reports.
The Gunners want £50million for the striker who took French football by storm – scoring 22 goals for unfancied Reims.
Teamnewsandtix told GiveMeSport Arsenal are open to selling Balogun this summer.
However, they may struggle to find suitors for the £50million price tag.
- By Jon Boon
Lavia stumbling block
Arsenal are shying away from Romeo Lavia, after learning Southampton's fee.
The Gunners are looking at adding the Belgium midfielder to their squad.
But the Saints are demanding £45million.
However, Daily Express journalist Ryan Taylor has said Mikel Arteta's side are reluctant to pay as much.
- By Jon Boon
Viera's working for Boehly
Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira has been appointed the new boss of French side Strasbourg.
That's after the ex-Crystal Palace gaffer was targeted by Chelsea owner Todd Boehly following his consortium's purchase of the Ligue 1 outfit.
Vieira was sacked by the Eagles in March after a dismal winless run left them facing relegation.
Roy Hodgson eventually kept Palace up with ease.
But Vieira is back in the beautiful game after taking the reins at Strasbourg.
The French side were recently taken over by BlueCo, who own Chelsea and are headed up by Boehly.
- By Jon Boon
Johnson race
Arsenal have entered the race to sign West Ham youngster Ben Johnson, according to reports.
The Express claim the Gunners are monitoring the full-back, who has yet to agree a contract extension on a deal that expires in 2024.
But the North London side will face competition for the 23-year-old's services from Everton, who are also interested in the youngster.
- By Jon Boon
Havertz slammed
Liverpool legend Steve Nicol believes Mikel Arteta might regret signing Kai Havertz.
He told ESPN: “He’s not getting 18 goals. I would love to see how he gets all these assists and goals because I am not sure he starts.
“There’s no way Jesus doesn’t start, right?! The front three is set. If Havertz, in his first game, if he does start in the middle, has a shocker, then you might never see him again.
“Arteta might go ‘you know what, I have made a big mistake. This isn’t going to work’.
“If he plays four, five or six games and, all of a sudden, Arteta goes ‘well, you know what, this isn’t too bad going forward, but defensively teams are getting at us for fun.
“I am going to change something here’. I am (negative towards it) because I don’t understand the signing.”
- By Jon Boon
Rice's Arteta meeting
Declan Rice reportedly met Mikel Arteta back in January and was 'bowled over' by his plans for him.
The Sunday Times says the England midfielder was impressed by the Arsenal manager's plans to improve his game, should he sign for the Gunners.
The report adds that Arsenal also believe Rice is a 'quick learner'.
Rice is set to sign for the North London giants in a £105million deal.
- By Jon Boon
Xhaka may not leave
The arrival of Declan Rice does not mean Granit Xhaka will be sold, according to reports.
The Gunners saw the best of the Swiss international last season, however it looked like he was set for a move to Bayer Leverkusen.
Now the Athletic claim that Xhaka may not be sold after all.
- By Jon Boon
Gabriel's in Brazil
Arsenal centre back Gabriel Magalhaes is training with Corinthians.
However, fear not Gunners fans because there is no chance he is moving back to Brazil.
The defender has been on holiday in his homeland.
While there, he has spent some of his time working hard at Corinthians’ training centre, according to Gazeta Esportiva.
- By Jon Boon
Lavia latest
Arsenal still remain interested in Romeo Lavia.
However, they are reportedly concentrating on completing deals for Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice.
And they are waiting to see what happens with the future of Thomas Partey.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed: “Arsenal are there, Arsenal are still interested in Romeo Lavia, but they are now 100 per cent focused on these deals for Declan Rice & Jurrien Timber, but Lavia remains one of the targets in case both Granit Xhaka & Thomas Partey leave the club.”
- By Jon Boon
Laporte hijack
Arsenal are eyeing up a move for Aymeric Laporte.
The Man City defender could leave the Etihad in the summer after falling out of favour.
Tottenham were reportedly leading the chase for the Spain international.
However, Arsenal are now in the race, according to Mundo Deportivo.
- By Alex Smith
Barca want Azeez
Barcelona are planning a swoop for Arsenal youngster Miguel Azeez.
The young midfielder has featured once for the Gunners first-team and spent last season on loan Wigan.
Azeez's deal does not expire for another year yet Barca want him for free so he can join their youth setup.
- By Alex Smith
Timber misses Ajax training
Jurrien Timber was absent from Ajax's first training session under new boss Maurice Steijn as he nears a £40m switch to the Gunners.
The club believe he could sign on the dotted line as soon as next week.
Timber has reportedly been working individually at Ajax's training base but was not part of the first squad session, hinting at his transfer away.
Credit: Getty
- By Alex Smith
Smith Rowe in action
Emile Smith Rowe is set to start for England's Under-21s versus Portugal this evening.
The Young Lions face them in the quarter-finals of the Euros at 5pm.
Smith Rowe has shone in the tournament so far, scoring two goals in three matches.
- By Alex Smith
Players return
The first few Arsenal stars are reporting back at training for some extra work ahead of pre-season.
Mohamed Elneny posted a snap of him back at London Colney on his Instagram.
Arsenal have their first pre-season match versus Nurnberg on 13th July.
- By Alex Smith
Hav that
Kai Havertz has reportedly become Arsenal's highest-paid player following his arrival at the Emirates.
Havertz sealed a £65million move from Chelsea to Arsenal on Wednesday.
Now Bild are claiming the the 24-year-old German international has instantly become the club's top earner after penning a £17m-a-year deal.
That package will net him £331,000-a-week with the added incentive of more money to come depending on Arsenal's success on the pitch.
Bukayo Saka was the highest earner on £300,000-a-week.
- By Alex Smith
Duo set for new deals
Arsenal expect to tie down William Saliba to a new contract this week.
The French centre-half, 22, is set to sign a four-year extension at the Emirates.
And Reiss Nelson is also on the verge of agreeing similar terms.
The club have confirmed they are in negotiating with him following the expiry of his contract and a deal is about to be struck.
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SALVATION Arsenal set to seal new Saliba contract THIS WEEK and re-sign unemployed star
- By Alex Smith
EXCLUSIVE: Lokonga to Burnley
Arsenal are trying to sell midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga to Premier League new-boys Burnley.
Lokonga played under Vincent Kompany at Anderlecht but the Turf Moor boss is finding it hard to complete the deal.
The Belgian, 23, had an unhappy loan spell at Crystal Palace and wants to be sure about his next move.
Burnley would buy Lokonga and the Gunners would sell but a loan may be the eventual solution.
- By Alex Smith
City identify Rice alternative
Man City pulled out of the race to sign Declan Rice and they appear to have accepted he will join Arsenal as they have identified an alternative.
Pep Guardiola has £90m to spend on a midfielder after Ilkay Gundogan left.
And former Man Utd target and Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong is high up the Treble winners wishlist.
- By Alex Smith
Rice pending
SunSport understands that sources close to Arsenal's deal for Declan Rice expect negotiations to conclude early next week.
The Gunners were looking to pay the £105m sum in several payment until 2025 with the Hammers wanting it all in the next 18 months.
These issues will soon be resolved and were never close to seeing the move fall through.
Rice will be an Arsenal player soon.
- By Alex Smith
Mari goodbye
Pablo Mari has penned an emotional farewell to Arsenal with him making his loan move to Monza permanent.
In a touching post, he said: "I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you.
"Thank you for giving me the opportunity to represent this great and historic club, for all the memories we lived together and for the support I always received.
"The Gunners will always have a place in my heart."
- By Alex Smith
All hands on Dec
Man City had a strong interest in Declan Rice but did not want to pay the money Arsenal look set to and West Ham want.
David Ornstein said: "Their interest was serious – you don’t make bids of £80m plus £10m in add-ons unless you are serious.
"Clearly, Arsenal were prepared to go to a higher financial level.”
- By Alex Smith
Xhaka deal at standstill
Granit Xhaka's switch to Bayer Leverkusen is at a standstill, according to reports.
The Swiss midfielder looked all set to leave, saying an emotional goodbye to supporters at the end of last season.
But rumours are swirling that he may not 100 per cent go.
Arsenal could up the fee they want from Bayer Leverkusen, which could force them to pull out.
There has been no movement on the transfer over the last few weeks.
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