ARSENAL have been quoted £68m for Lyon's Lucas Paqueta, according reports.
But talkSPORT's Alex Crook says there's a feeling in South America that Arsenal may be able to pull off the deal.
Paqueta is said to be higher on the targets list than Lazio's Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
Meanwhile the Gunners are said to be nearing a massive coup, with a £20m deal for Chelsea's N'Golo Kante reported to be close.
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- Justin Lawrence
Kante deal 'in next few days'
Arsenal hope to complete N'Golo Kante's signing in the next few days, reports claim.
Kante's contract is winding down and he could Chelsea for free next summer when it ends.
But the Blues are willing to cash in on him now to avoid the nightmare scenario.
Thomas Tuchel's side reportedly want £33m for the midfielder, but the Gunners reckon they can snag him for just over £16m in the next week.
- Justin Lawrence
Klopp on Arsenal's title hopes
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is adamant that Arsenal will be amongst the title challengers next season.
The Reds were embroiled in a two-horse title race last season that Man Ciyty narrowly won.
But there'll be more teams vying for the top spot this time around, and Arsenal are one of them, Klopp thinks.
He told ESPN: "Arsenal is still there. Man Utd with the new start and these kind of things, it’s always the same. That’s how it is. I’m not interested in the points we got last year, I’m only interested in the points we will get this season.
"We will have to fight, and then let’s see what the outcome is.”
- Justin Lawrence
Merson speaks of Tottenham fear
Paul Merson is afraid of what Tottenham after Antonio Conte's shrewd transfer signings this summer.
Merson said: "Yves Bissouma is an unbelievable signing for them. I've seen him boss the midfield for Brighton, and they aren't nearly as consistent as Spurs. Djed Spence is a good signing, but the Championship is a completely different world to the Premier League.
"I'm a massive fan of Ivan Perisic. He's a top-draw player, and he works his socks off. Antonio Conte knows him well, and the fans will love him because he's a hard-working player.
"I think Tottenham have done a great job so far, and I'm afraid they're in for a good season."
- Justin Lawrence
Ramsey rejected Galatasaray transfer
Aaron Ramsey has reportedly rejected a move to Galatasaray as he bids for a sensational move back to the Premier League.
The former Arsenal man has been linked to multiple teams since he left Juventus at the end of last season.
It was reported that the 31-year-old could be set for Turkish side Galatasaray but now that transfer also appears to be off.
Italian website Calciomercato claim that Ramsey has his heart set on a return to the Premier League.
The Welshman has not played regularly on English soil since he left the Emirates in 2019.
Ramsey's inconsistent three year spell with Juventus saw him leave on a free this summer and in search of a club.
- Justin Lawrence
Mertesacker on Wilshere's arrival
Per Mertesacker has revealed he's excited to be working with new academy boss Jack Wilshere.
He told Arsenal's media: “We are super excited about Jack.
"He has seen the journey of an academy player from a very early age. Seeing him coach on a daily basis with us in the academy gave us a lot of confidence.
“He has shown real consistency in his behaviours, training in the morning with the first-team, probably being knackered, and then being able to assist the under-17s and lead a few coaching sessions in the evening.
“I knew him from being teammates, however, when you make the transition into coaching it’s a different world and he has done so well with us, so we were really at the stage where we tried to convince him that this is the right step for him. To have a role model of the academy and the pathway with us is something we couldn’t turn down.”
- Justin Lawrence
Leno to Fulham faces collapse
Fulham's attempt to sign Bernd Leno could collapse with Arsenal reportedly demanding too much money for the goalkeeper.
But Arsenal are demanding Fulham cough up £11million to sign him, according to Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenburg.
The Whites are looking at bringing in a goalkeeper this summer but have been quoted £11m – despite Leno being out of contract at the end of next season.
Negotiations between the two clubs remain ongoing with hopes of an agreement being reached.
Leno himself is claimed to be eager on a switch to Fulham.
- Justin Lawrence
Arsenal track Walker-Peters
Arsenal and Manchester United are reportedly interested in a transfer for Kyle Walker-Peters.
Tottenham could scupper their plans however, as they are thought to have a £30million buy-back clause in his contract.
Walker-Peters, 25, joined Southampton from Spurs for £12million in 2020.
And now The Athletic report that the Saints are considering a cash in for the right-back.
The Gunners and Red Devils both have the Englishman on their "list of possible targets".
Walker-Peters is contracted to the St Mary's Stadium side until 2025.
- Sam Dymond
Mo the manager? El yes!
Mohamed Elneny will manage Arsenal when he retires from playing, according to the Egyptian star's dad.
The midfielder's father made the bold claim during a television interview with MBC Egypt (via Middle East 24), pointing to his son's popularity in the dressing room.
Nasser Elneny said: "The Arsenal players love Elneny, he is loved among his colleagues in the dressing room, and the club’s management love him so I think he will coach Arsenal in the future."
What's the Arabic for 'trust the process'?
- Sam Dymond
Transfer watch: Leno to Fulham?
Sky Sport Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg has revealed that negotiations between Arsenal and Fulham regarding Bernd Leno are ongoing.
Currently, the Cottagers have not met Arsenal's £11m asking price, but the goalkeeper wishes to make the move.
Rumour rating: ⚽️ ⚽️ ⚽️ ⚽️
- Sam Dymond
Are Arsenal closing on Kante?
The rumours linking Arsenal with a swoop for Chelsea's N'Golo Kante are refusing to go away, and reports in Spain now suggest that a deal could be done in the coming days.
Todo Fichajes claim the Gunners are ready to lodge a £17m offer for the Frenchman, who has just one year remaining on his Stamford Bridge contract.
While the Blues would prefer to keep Kante, at 31 years of age he isn't considered a priority for a new deal – and that could tempt them to cash in.
The tireless midfielder has won the Premier League with both Leicester and Chelsea, and Arsenal fans will be hoping his arrival would prompt a similar title challenge.
- Sam Dymond
Ozil on a free, anyone?
Former Arsenal ace Mesut Ozil is considering his future after having his contract terminated by Fenerbahce.
The 33-year-old playmaker had been out in the cold since March when both he and Ozan Tufan were axed from Ismail Kartal's squad.
Despite a change in management, the former German international failed to win back his place, and has now been deemed surplus to requirements.
Ozil had previously stated that he wanted to end his career with the Turkish outfit, but now may feel that he still has something to prove.
Other Super Lig sides such as Istanbul Basaksehir and Medipol Basaksehir have been linked with the midfielder, who is now available on a free transfer.
- Sam Dymond
Signings can fire Gunners to glory
Arsenal's new signings are capable of taking the club back into the Champions League, according to Per Mertesacker.
The giant German, now the club's academy manager, told Sky Sports News that the Gunners' summer recruits can make a difference – and he expects more to follow.
"The way we convinced them to come early in the transfer window shows we have been proactive," he said.
"We have made our points clear to the players, their families and their agents.
"By the looks of it, players are willing to come to us, and to help bring us back to the Champions League where we belong."
- Sam Dymond
Gabriel 'top target' for Juve
Juventus will make Arsenal defender Gabriel their top target if Bayern Munich are successful in landing Matthijs de Ligt, report Sky Sports Italia.
The Old Lady are said to be resigned to losing De Ligt this summer, but will move swiftly to sign his replacement.
And it's Gabriel that has been identified as the ideal candidate – and the Gunners could be willing to do business.
The return of William Saliba to the Emirates has strengthened the suggestion that Gabriel could depart, particularly as the young Frenchman appears key to Mikel Arteta's first team plans.
- Jake Lambourne
Good morning Arsenal fans
Arsenal are understood to have submitted an opening bid for Benfica’s Alex Grimaldo, according to the Express.
The offer is thought to be around £6m for the Spanish left-back, who has just one year remaining on his current deal in Portugal.
Meanwhile, William Saliba was spotted this morning entering Arsenal’s London Colney training centre with his agent.
In other news, The 21-year-old French international is back with the Gunners after a successful season on loan at Marseille.
Martin Odegaard is expected to be named as the new captain of Arsenal ahead of the 2022-23 season.
That’s the understanding of afcstuff (via SportsBible), who believe that the Norwegian midfielder is next in line following the departure of Alexandre Lacazette.
Elsewhere, Arsenal have slapped a £34m price tag on defender Gabriel amid interest from Juventus, according to reports.
Juve are reportedly eyeing the centre-back to add some steel to their backline.
And the Gunners are willing to let him leave for the right price, sports journalist Alfredo Pedulla claims.
Also, Arsenal legend Jack Wilshere has returned to make a return to the club.
But this time as an academy coach, not a player.
The 30-year-old is said to be delighted at the opportunity to coach the U18 side.
Finally, Arsenal are in pole position to land Lucas Paqueta from Lyon, according to reports.
The Gunners have been linked with Paqueta and Lazio ace Sergej Milinković-Savić.
But the North Londoners would prefer Paqueta in their midfield, CBS reporter Ben Jacobs claims.
He told Give Me Sport: “I think speaking to people in South America they [Arsenal] are the favourites for Paquetá if he leaves, which I think is still a fairly big if.
“I think he’s higher up on their list of targets than Milinković-Savić.”
- Justin Lawrence
Wilshere reveals coaching plan
Jack Wilshere wants to become a mix of Mikel Arteta and Arsene Wenger in his new role as U18 coach.
He said: "Working under Arsene and people like that, they instilled that in us from a young age. If I can bring that in, along with Mikel's thoughts and ideas, I think that's a recipe for success.
“I was thinking about all the coaches I worked with, including Mikel, and taking inspiration from all of them. I think it's so important that the academy and first-team are aligned.
"If there's a player who needs to go over and train with the first team, he has to have the same fundamentals that the first-team players have, and the same language is used between us and them. I think that gives them the best chance.”
- Justin Lawrence
Arsenal favourites for Paqueta
Arsenal are in pole position to land Lucas Paqueta from Lyon, according to reports.
The Gunners have been linked with Paqueta and Lazio ace Sergej Milinković-Savić.
But the North Londoners would prefer Paqueta in their midfield, CBS reporter Ben Jacobs claims.
He told Give Me Sport: "I think speaking to people in South America they [Arsenal] are the favourites for Paquetá if he leaves, which I think is still a fairly big if.
“I think he’s higher up on their list of targets than Milinković-Savić.”
- Justin Lawrence
Kante's Arsenal impact assessed
N'Golo Kante can be an influential buy for Arsenal if they manage to prise him from Chelsea.
That's according to football veteran Noel Whelan.
He told Football Insider: "Any deal can be struck if the money is right and Chelsea are willing to listen to the offer.
“If he’s not firmly in the plans of Tuchel then he is surplus to requirements with 12 months left, just as you’ve got Raheem Sterling leaving Man City.
“There has to be a certain turnaround and Chelsea won’t want to lose out on any potential fee they can get in.
“If Arsenal can get him in then he could be very influential for them.”
- Justin Lawrence
Wilshere joined in coaching ranks
Jack Wilshere isn't the only coach that was given a role by Arsenal today.
The former midfielder was joined in the coaching ranks by Mehmet Ali.
Ali joined the Gunners as U23 assistant coach in January.
But he's been given the reins as the head coach of Arsenal's U21, alongside being the Professional Development Phase lead.
- Justin Lawrence
Wilshere hounded Mertesacker for job
Jack Wilshere has revealed he pestered former team-mate Per Mertesacker for his new job as Arsenal's academy coach.
Mertesacker is the manager of Arsenal's academy, and Wilshere declared he called his ex-Gunners compatriot 10 tens about the vacancy.
Wilshere said: "I called him about 10 times a day for four weeks [about the job].
"He’s been on that journey of retiring and stepping into something that’s unknown. His support has been great.”
- Justin Lawrence
Arsenal can mount title bid
Arsenal's summer transfer moves haven't gone unnoticed by Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has signed Fabio Vieira, Matt Turner, Marquinhos, and Gabriel Jesus.
And the quartet, along with the Gunners' current crop can help the club mount a title challenge next season, according to Klopp.
Klopp said, while assessing Arsenal and Man United's chances of Prem glory: "Arsenal is still there, Manchester United obviously with a new start and this kind of things.”
- Justin Lawrence
Arsenal target gets transfer advice
Italy boss Roberto Mancini has advised Arsenal target Gianluca Scamacca to join PSG.
Mancini told La Gazzetta dello Sport when speaking about the Sassuolo striker: "I would advise Gianluca Scamacca to join PSG. Playing abroad would increase his experience and help him grow.
"He has everything to be a great center-forward, and he knows it."
- Justin Lawrence
Ozil in talks over transfer
Ex-Arsenal ace Mesut Ozil may have found a new club already after being axed by Fenerbahce.
And he won't have to travel too far if reports linking him with Istanbul Basaksehir prove to be true.
NTV Spor, claim that Ozil's been in talks with the Turkish side following his dismissal from Fenerbahce.
- Justin Lawrence
Elneny's love for distance strikes
Arsenal star Mohamed Elneny has revealed he loves to score from outside the box.
He told the Evening Standard when asked about his long-ranger efforts: "It’s what I love!
“I love to score from distance. It’s what I work on every day in training. After every training, I work on it, when I finish training, I keep shooting from distance.
“Because I know shooting from distance can create a winning [scenario]. If the game is level and we need someone to shoot from outside, they can change the game sometimes. This is what I have to do, work on helping my team in every way.”
- Justin Lawrence
Saliba return causes mass hysteria
Arsenal fans were thrilled to see centre-back William Saliba FINALLY back at the club.
The Gunners signed the 21-year-old French defender for £27million way back in the summer of 2019.
And the Arsenal faithful are excited about the prospect of Saliba finally staying put and giving Ben White and Gabriel some competition at the Emirates.
One social media user reacted to the tweet showing Saliba, saying: "Welcome Saliba, come perform some crazy magic tackles for us. Can’t wait to see you play👊."
While another added: "I spy with my little eye the best centre-back in the world."
- Justin Lawrence
Arteta branded a 'failure'
Mikel Arteta has been branded a failure for not getting Arsenal into the Champions League by William Gallas.
The former Gunners star reckons Arsenal's season was a flop as they missed out on a Champions League spot to Tottenham.
But Gallas hopes Gabriel Juesus' arrival can fire them into the elite European competition next season.
He told Genting Casino: "With Arsenal, it's another problem with Mikel Arteta. He's a young manager but for me, he failed last season because they didn't qualify for the Champions League. Now they have a new striker, so we will see what will happen."
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