ARSENAL were offered the chance to sign Mauro Icardi from PSG, it has been revealed.
However, the Gunners are said to have turned down the Argentine striker to press ahead with the signing of Gabriel Jesus.
Meanwhile, a potential swap deal has been mooted with Arsenal using Bernd Leno as a makeweight to sign Youri Tielemans from Leicester.
However, the Foxes will have to move quickly if they want Leno as Fulham are reportedly close to agreeing a £8m deal for the German goalkeeper.
And Arsenal have received a boost in their pursuit of Jarrod Bowen, with West Ham reportedly lining up a move for Rennes' Martin Terrier as a replacement.
Get all the latest transfer news from around the world…
IN: Marquinhos, Fabio Vieira, Matt Turner, Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko
OUT: Alexandre Lacazette (released)
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- Sam Dymond
Shots fired! Paqueta hurts Gunners
Arsenal target Lucas Paqueta reportedly has no interest in moving to the Emirates – and would instead prefer to join rivals Tottenham.
That blow to the Gunners' hopes comes courtesy of L’Equipe, who report that Spurs made a €40m bid for the midfielder in January.
Lyon rejected that speculative offer, but their recruitment chief Bruno Cheyrou this week admitted they are 'prepared' for the Brazilian's departure.
Newcastle and Arsenal have been the two clubs most strongly linked to the 24-year-old, but it is now though he wants Champions League football (doesn't everyone?) and would much prefer a move to Tottenham or Manchester City.
- Sam Dymond
Marseille 'surprisingly optimistic' about Saliba
Marseille are said to be 'surprisingly optimistic' about re-signing William Saliba, according to French media.
L'Equipe (Via Get French Football News) report that the Ligue 1 club are confident that they can strike a deal to bring the defender back to the Stade Velodrome.
The 21-year-old centre-back spent the 2021-22 campaign on loan in the south of France and became a firm favourite with Les Phoceens.
The news will come as a shock to those at Arsenal, who fully expected Saliba to be part of Mikel Arteta's first team this season.
But there have been concerns this week following the news that Marseille president Pablo Longoria had met with the player's agent in London.
- Sam Dymond
Leno could lend a hand
Arsenal are considering the possibility of offering Bernd Leno to Leicester as part of a bid for Youri Tielemans, report football.london.
The Gunners have been long-term suitors of the Belgian midfielder, but are yet to present a financial package to the Foxes.
However, following the news that Kasper Schmeichel is to leave the King Power, the Londoners believe they could make use of Brendan Rodgers' need for a goalkeeper.
Arsenal will have to move quickly though. Leno is understood to be very close to a permanent move to Fulham, and would prefer to remain in London.
- Sam Dymond
Gunners passed up Icardi opportunity
Arsenal turned down the chance to sign Paris Saint-Germain forward Mauro Icardi this summer.
The Gunners were offered the Argentine at the height of their search for a striker, according to a Fabrizio Romano exclusive.
However, after much deliberation, Mikel Arteta and Edu instead turned their attention to Gabriel Jesus, eventually landing the Manchester City star in a £45m deal.
Icardi remains at PSG, but finds himself well down the pecking order among the club's array of attacking aces.
- Chisanga Malata
Good morning Arsenal fans
Pablo Mari is reportedly close to joining Turkish giants Fenerbahce.
Habel Global claims the defender is surplus to requirements at Arsenal.
But it is unclear whether the move would be a loan or a permanent deal.
Either way, it would see Mari reunited with boss Jorge Jesus after their time together at Flamengo.
Meanwhile, Arsenal have been reportedly joined by Manchester City in the race to sign Benfica's Alex Grimaldo.
The Portuguese club have slapped a £16.8million price tag on the left-back.
Arsenal remain keen on Grimaldo despite signing Oleksandr Zinchenko, who is also capable of playing midfield.
Ironically, City want Grimaldo to REPLACE Zinchenko in their squad after being quoted £50m for Brighton’s Marc Cucurella.
Finally, Arsenal lost for the first time in pre-season yesterday, going down 2-1 to Brentford in a training ground friendly.
A second-string Gunners side got some valuable minutes under their belts as the season approaches, but couldn't overcome Thomas Frank's men at London Colney.
Bryan Mbeumo beat goalkeeper Matt Turner on nine minutes after being teed up by teenager Ryan Trevitt, who later scored Brentford’s second.
Arsenal’s goal came through Eddie Nketiah, while new winger Marquinhos got a run-out.
- Anthony Chapman
Gabriel Jesus backed to dazzle
Gabriel Jesus has been hailed as a sizzling Arsenal signing by actor Idris Elba.
The Hollywood star said: "The signing is definitely going to put a bit of sexiness, a bit of pizzazz into the team.
“A striker comes in and is worth what he says on his number. I think that is always going to make the lads feel a lot more confident.
“I still think the team last season was strong, the push in the last quarter was very exciting, even though we didn’t get where we wanted to. But I’m still 100 per cent a Gooner.”
- Anthony Chapman
Tavares agrees Atalanta loan exit
Nuno Tavares has agreed to join Atalanta on loan.
But a deal is still far from completion.
That’s because the Italians remain in talks with Arsenal over fees.
Tavares has fallen down the rankings at the Emirates but is still seen as a future prospect.
- Anthony Chapman
Arteta lifts lid on surgery
Mikel Arteta has revealed he underwent open-heart surgery as child.
Speaking on All or Nothing, the Arsenal boss said: "When I was born, I was born with a big heart disease.
“And for two years they had to try to save my life until I had the opportunity to have the first open surgery in Spain.
"So a high performance team, not a football team or basketball team for example, it can be an emergency team, the ones that work for example in hospitals.
“They do it only for one reason – because they love what they do. That's their drive, that's their purpose."
Arteta gives emotional speech to Arsenal dressing room as he attempts to motivate squad to end horror start to season
- Anthony Chapman
Arsenal counting cash with Chelsea
Arsenal have included a sell-on fee after flogging Omari Hutchinson to Chelsea.
That is according to GunnerBlog, who claim that the Gunners are looking at a cash windfall down the line.
Hutchinson, 18, joined the Blues' Under-23 set-up for an undisclosed fee.
The attacking midfielder never made a senior appearance for the North Londoners throughout his seven-year stint at the Emirates.
- Anthony Chapman
Arsenal suffer Brentford friendly defeat
Arsenal lost for the first time in pre-season earlier today, going down 2-1 to Brentford in a training ground friendly.
A second-string Gunners side got some valuable minutes under their belts as the season approaches, but couldn't overcome Thomas Frank's men at London Colney.
Bryan Mbeumo beat goalkeeper Matt Turner on nine minutes after being teed up by teenager Ryan Trevitt, who later scored Brentford’s second.
Arsenal’s goal came through Eddie Nketiah, while new winger Marquinhos got a run-out.
- Anthony Chapman
Arsenal battle City for Grimaldo
Arsenal have been reportedly joined by Manchester City in the race to sign Benfica's Alex Grimaldo.
The Portuguese club have slapped a £16.8million price tag on the left-back.
Arsenal remain keen on Grimaldo despite signing Oleksandr Zinchenko, who is also capable of playing midfield.
Ironically, City want Grimaldo to REPLACE Zinchenko in their squad after being quoted £50m for Brighton’s Marc Cucurella.
- Anthony Chapman
Leno heading for Fulham deal
Bernd Leno's Fulham move is now imminent after getting the green light from Mikel Arteta.
We told you earlier that the Cottagers had lodged an £8million offer for the German goalie.
And Sky Sports now claims the bid has been accepted after Arteta gave the move his blessing.
Leno will now become Fulham's fourth signing of the summer.
- Anthony Chapman
United in Sergej Arsenal boost
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic would reportedly rather join Man Utd over Arsenal.
Tuttosport claims the Lazio midfielder is keen on a Premier League switch this summer.
United and Arsenal are both thought to be interested in the Serb.
But he would choose United over the Gunners if he received offers from both sides.
- Anthony Chapman
Mari set for Turkish switch
Pablo Mari is reportedly close to joining Turkish giants Fenerbahce.
Habel Global claims the defender is surplus to requirements at Arsenal.
But it is unclear whether the move would be a loan or a permanent deal.
Either way, it would see Mari reunited with boss Jorge Jesus after their time together at Flamengo.
- Anthony Chapman
How Arteta has transformed Arsenal
Arsenal have so far enjoyed a perfect pre-season, with five wins from five including a 4-0 thrashing of rivals Chelsea.
While it is dangerous to judge a team on what they have done in friendly games, this pre-season feels like a very positive one from an Arsenal point of view.
And it's all thanks to three major changes from boss Mikel Arteta.
SEE WHAT THEY ARE HERE
- Alex Cole
More on Tavares
According to transfer guru Luca Bendoni, Atalanta have already reached an agreement with Tavares over the potential loan.
However the Italian side and the Gunners are yet to agree terms, with the latter unwilling to include an option-to-buy clause.
Though he insisted that Arsenal could accept a buy-option should it be deemed as too much to refuse.
It was reported earlier in the transfer window that the North Londoners would only accept a fee in the region of £35m.
- Alex Cole
Tavares loan switch stalled
Nuno Tavares’ loan switch to Atalanta has reportedly stalled with Arsenal reluctant to include an option-to-buy clause.
The 22-year-old left-back will be allowed to depart the Emirates on a temporary deal just one year after arriving from Benfica for £8million.
Brighton are also claimed to be keeping tabs on the player as a possible replacement for Marc Cucurella should the Spaniard join the Citizens.
But it is Atalanta that are leading the race to secure his services, though they are currently struggling to agree terms with Arsenal.
- Alex Cole
Fulham agree £8m deal for Arsenal goalkeeper Leno
Fulham have an £8m "agreement in principle" with Arsenal over the signing of goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
The 30-year-old German will still require have a medical and personal terms to be resolved.
- Alex Cole
Saka not for sale, says Edu
Arsenal chief Edu has ruled out selling Bukayo Saka after the star was urged to make the “perfect” move to Liverpool.
The England international, 20, was a standout performer for the Gunners last term with 11 goals and seven assists in the Premier League.
And technical director Edu has promised Gooners that their star attacker is going nowhere this summer.
When asked how contract talks were going with him, he said: “Good, very good. Everybody is happy.”
When pressed further on the delay in him signing the new deal, Edu said that it is normal and that the winger would not be sold.
He added: “It’s normal. We’re going to sit and put all the expectations in the right place.
“Our expectations and his, his family and his agent’s expectations, and put everything together.
“The main thing is how he feels, how he feels comfortable with us. He’s happy, we’re happy, so it’s just: sit down and find a solution.”
- Alex Cole
Arsenal haven’t bid for Tielemans, says SrivaddhanaprabhaIt
Leicester chairman Aiyawatt SrivaddhanaprabhaIt insists “no offers yet” have come in for reported Arsenal target Youri Tielemans.
The Belgium midfielder is expected to hold talks with Foxes’ boss Brendan Rodgers over his future.
- Alex Cole
Tickled pink
They teased the new pink kit to be worn against Sevilla in the Emirates Cup.
But Arsenal's third kit for the 2022-23 season has been leaked online with the club set to play in the colour for the first time.
What do you think Gunners' fans?
- Alex Cole
Neymar would ‘upset’ Gunners
Neymar would “upset people” at Arsenal and ruin the understanding that Gabriel Jesus is the new main man at the Emirates.
That’s the view of Gunners’ legend Ray Parlour – although it’s Manchester United who are now being talked of as interested in Neymar.
Ex-midfielder Parlour told talkSPORT: “No, I don’t think I would have him at Arsenal. I think he could upset people.
“They have got a player now who is going to be the main man for Arsenal, Jesus.
“And if Neymar came in, then he would not be the main man at Arsenal.”
- Alex Cole
They’ve pinked it all over. It is wow!
Arsenal have had a fantastic pre-season, and are now about to do what they do best – launch a new line of leisure wear.
The London club will unveil their third kit for the coming season this Friday, and social media hints at it being a perfectly pink number.
And dedicated followers of fashion at the Emirates will get a first opportunity to see it in action the following day when it it debuted against Sevilla in the Emirates Cup.
Credit: @afcstuff Twitter - Alex Cole
Wilshere in SunSports 'Best Prem Coaches XI'
FEATURE: Former England striker Jermain Defoe and Manchester City legend Yaya Toure will join Tottenham’s coaching set-up, writes DYLAN TERRY.
And SunSport has put together the best team of Prem truend top-flioght coaches – NOT including managers.
In goal, Brazil legend Claudio Taffarel joined Liverpool as a goalkeeping coach towards the end of last year.
In defence, Chelsea legends Ashley Cole and John Terry are back in the Prem – at Stamford Bridge and Everton respectively. And ex-Arsenal ace Kolo Toure is now part of Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester set-up.
In central midfield, Tottenham‘s new coach and brother of Kolo Toure, Yaya, is joined by Jack Wilshere and Gary McAllister.
- Alex Cole
Juve terminate £400k-a-week Ramsey contract
Juventus have announced the termination of Aaron Ramsey’s contract in a brutal 13-word statement.
The Italian giants signed the former Arsenal midfielder on a free transfer on reported £400,000 a week wages back in 2019.
Ramsey’s move didn’t gone to plan, however, as he struggled to stay fit during his time in Turin.
After just 69 appearances for Juve in two-and-a-half years he signed for Rangers on loan in January.
He also struggled to stay fit in Glasgow, making only 13 appearances and suffering Europa League heartache by missing the crucial penalty during May’s final defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt.
Ramsey reported back to Juventus for medical tests earlier this month, but has now agreed to have his deal ended.
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