OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO was spotted next to Arsenal transfer chief Edu watching Arsenal's friendly win over Orlando City last night
The Ukrainian, 25, will have his £30m move from Manchester City confirmed this week after having his medical in the US.
Elsewhere, the Gunners have reportedly been handed a huge boost in their quest to sign Lucas Paqueta after Lyon slashed their asking price by £21million.
And talks are reported to have begun with another Brazilian – Juventus midfielder Arthur Melo.
IN: Marquinhos, Fabio Vieira, Matt Turner, Gabriel Jesus
OUT: Alexandre Lacazette (released)
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Stay up to date with all the latest from the Emirates…
- Sam Dymond
Arteta delight at Zinchenko capture
It may not be official yet, but Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is already expressing his joy at the club's latest signing.
The Gunners are expected to complete the transfer of Ukrainian Oleksandr Zinchenko in the coming days, and the Spaniard could not be happier.
“He is here. There are still formalities to complete, but I’m so happy that he’s here," Arteta said.
"He’s an exceptional footballer. He can play as a number ten or a left-back. We [Pep Guardiola and Arteta at Manchester City] converted him to a left wing-back. We’re really happy.”
The Londoners will pay £30m for the versatile City star.
- Sam Dymond
Good morning, Arsenal fans
Manchester United are increasingly threatening Arsena's hopes of landing Youri Tielemans.
That's the overnight feeling amid claims the Leicester midfielder has done a U-turn on NOT wanting to consider the Red Devils.
Arsenal, though, are rated likely to launch a formal bid for an alternative – Juventus ace Arthur Melo.
And apart from a new midfielder and wideman, it's thought Gunners' boss Mikel Arteta might also fancy recruiting a new centre-back.
But Juventus have beaten Arsenal, United and Chelsea to Torino central defender Gleison Bremer.
Meanwhile, Sevilla are reportedly interested in Emirates winger Nicolas Pepe – if his valuation is cut to around £21million.
Gunners' attacking midfielder Marcelo Flores, 18, is set to join Real Oviedo on a season-long loan.
Finally, dynamic new playmaker Fabio Vieira is in buoyant mood despite a "small injury".
He told Arsenal's media team: “I’m really excited, I can’t wait to get started and play with our supporters at Emirates Stadium. It’s an honour for me to be here.”
- Ian Tuckey
I'm not Holding the blame
Rob Holding will not carry the can for Arsenal’s dramatic late collapse which wrecked their hopes of Champions League qualification, writes MARK IRWIN.
The 26-year-old central defender was widely blamed for the critical 3-0 defeat at Spurs when he was sent off after just 33 minutes for a second foul on Son Heung-min.
With just two games of last season left following that, Arsenal were never able to recover from that devastating setback as rivals Tottenham pinched fourth place right at the death.
Yet Holding is adamant he should not be made the scapegoat.
He said: “Of course I was disappointed with the way the season finished but it didn’t come down to just the Tottenham game.
“There was a stage when we were fourth in the table with games in hand and we were thinking ‘we could do this’. But we lost five of our last ten games and we let it slip away.
“There were three games before Tottenham against Palace, Southampton and Brighton when we should really have finished it off but we dropped points.
“So people can say it was all down to that Tottenham result but if things had gone differently earlier on it wouldn’t have even been an important game."
- Ian Tuckey
Pepe fee could be slashed to £21m
Sevilla are interested in signing Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe, according to reports.
The Ivorian cost the Gunners £72million in 2019, but has slipped down the pecking order at the Emirates.
With Pepe now behind the likes of Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Gabriel Martinelli and Fabio Vieira, Arsenal are keen to sell him this summer.
Club chiefs know that they won’t get anywhere near the £72m they paid for him and are hoping for offers around £21m.
According to local paper Diario de Sevilla, Pepe is of interest to Sevilla… but not at that price.
They claim that the LaLiga side have made initial contact with Arsenal over a deal worth around £15m plus add-ons.
- Ian Tuckey
Tielemans ready for United You-turn?
Youri Tielemans is being increasingly tipped to consider joining Manchester United – despite previous claims that the Arsenal target would reject such a move
Erik ten Hag’s arrival as Old Trafford boss this summer dramatically upped the chances of the Leicester midfielder opting for United.
The Dutchman is a big fan of the Belgium superstar.
Tielemans is expected to discuss his future with Foxes’ manager Brendan Rodgers in the next few days.
- Ian Tuckey
Neym your price
Neymar looks set to stay put at PSG this summer, ending months of speculation regarding the forward’s future.
That’s according to bookmakers Sky Bet, who’ve slapped 1/20 odds for the Brazilian to stay in the French capital, with Man City the next likely destination at 10/1.
There have been strong rumours regarding the Brazilian’s future all summer, with a move to Chelsea or a return to Barcelona the most likely destinations.
But it now seems clear that the £200million man will continue his stay in France, with his contract that still has three years left on it.
The winger has 160 goals and assists in his 140 games for PSG and has helped them to four league titles and six other domestic titles.
However, the club are still yet to win the Champions League trophy that their big spending owners are desperate for despite possessing one of the most star studded teams in world football.
Chelsea were 4/1 to favourites to sign the winger not even two weeks ago but Sky Bet have already lengthened the odds for the Brazilian to move to West London to 16/1.
ODDS FOR NEYMAR’S NEXT CLUB
ODDS FOR NEYMAR’S NEXT CLUB
To stay at PSG – 1/20
Manchester City – 10/1
Chelsea – 16/1
Manchester United – 20/1
Juventus – 25/1
Real Madrid – 25/1
Arsenal – 33/1
Barcelona – 33/1
Bayern Munich – 33/1
Liverpool – 33/1
Newcastle – 40/1
Tottenham – 50/1
Aston Villa – 66/1 - Ian Tuckey
Jesus already ‘fits like a glove’
Gabriel Jesus has ‘really impressed’ Arsenal legend Ray Parlour in pre-season.
Ex-midfielder Parlour believes the £50million former Manchester City striker has ‘fitted in like a glove’.
And with Alexandree Lacazette following Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang out of the Emirates, Parlour said: “What a replacement!”
He told Sky Sports: “I have been really impressed with him.
“He’s fitted in like a glove. Sometimes you don’t hit the ground running, but in pre-season, he has looked very sharp.
“A brilliant signing. Losing Lacazette and you had to replace him. But what a replacement.”
- Ian Tuckey
Gunners loan Flores to Oviedo
Arsenal youngster Marcelo Flores is set to join Real Oviedo on a season-long loan, according to reports.
The attacking midfielder, 18, is yet to make his debut for the Gunners.
But he was part of the matchday squad against Crystal Palace last season which suggests Mikel Arteta rates him.
Before he is trusted in the senior team Flores will have to get some minutes under his belt, with La Liga 2 side Real Oviedo on the verge of loaning him according to Fabrizio Romano.
The journalist claims the two clubs have agreed a deal and the paperwork has been completed with Oviedo happy to move.
It is a chance for Flores to get first-team minutes under his belt after being confined to the youth teams at Arsenal.
Flores joined the Gunners in 2019 after spending three years in Ipswich’s academy following his move from Canada, where he is from.
The youngster is eligible to play for Canada but has chosen Mexico instead and already has three caps. He earned international recognition after impressing in Premier League 2 last season, scoring four goals in ten appearances.
Flores also impressed at under-18 level and will hope to follow in the footsteps of Eddie Nketiah and Emile Smith Rowe, who now have a first-team role after loan spells.
- Ian Tuckey
First Omari, now Zak
Chelsea are poised to follow up their swoop for Arsenal's Omari Hutchinson by landing fellow whizkid Zak Sturge from Brighton.
The Standard believe Chelsea will complete a deal for Sturge in the next 24 hours.
It comes after Surrey-born Jamaica playmaker Hutchinson, 18, switched London giants when his Emirates deal ended.
- Ian Tuckey
Vieira can't wait to get started
Fabio Vieira can’t wait to get his Arsenal career going.
He told the club’s media: “It’s been good, everyone has welcomed me and I’m ready to start this new challenge.
“It’s a small injury I picked up one month ago with the national team but now I feel better and in a few days I’ll come back.
“I’m really excited, I can’t wait to get started and play with our supporters at Emirates Stadium. It’s an honour for me to be here.”
uoyant despite ‘small injury’
Fabio Vieira can’t wait to get his Arsenal career going.
He told the club’s media: “It’s been good, everyone has welcomed me and I’m ready to start this new challenge.
“It’s a small injury I picked up one month ago with the national team but now I feel better and in a few days I’ll come back.
“I’m really excited, I can’t wait to get started and play with our supporters at Emirates Stadium. It’s an honour for me to be here.”
- Ian Tuckey
Bremer snubs Prem for Juventus
Juventus have beaten Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal to Torino centre-back Gleison Bremer.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano tweeted to say the Brazilian will swap Serie A clubs for £38million plus add-ons with a contract until 2027.
Chelsea are thought to still want two more central defenders, while United and Arsenal could also remain in the market for backline reinforcements.
All three Prem giants were previously been linked to uncapped Bremer, 25.
- Ian Tuckey
Neymar backed to stay at PSG
Neymar looks set to stay put at PSG this summer, ending months of speculation regarding the forward’s future.
That’s according to bookmakers Sky Bet, who’ve slapped 1/20 odds for the Brazilian to stay in the French capital, with Man City the next likely destination at 10/1.
There have been strong rumours regarding the Brazilian’s future all summer, with a move to Chelsea or a return to Barcelona the most likely destinations.
But it now seems clear that the £200million man will continue his stay in France, with his contract that still has three years left on it.
The winger has 160 goals and assists in his 140 games for PSG and has helped them to four league titles and six other domestic titles.
However, the club are still yet to win the Champions League trophy that their big spending owners are desperate for despite possessing one of the most star studded teams in world football.
Chelsea were 4/1 to favourites to sign the winger not even two weeks ago but Sky Bet have already lengthened the odds for the Brazilian to move to West London to 16/1.
ODDS FOR NEYMAR'S NEXT CLUB
ODDS FOR NEYMAR'S NEXT CLUB
To stay at PSG – 1/20
Manchester City – 10/1
Chelsea – 16/1
Manchester United – 20/1
Juventus – 25/1
Real Madrid – 25/1
Arsenal – 33/1
Barcelona – 33/1
Bayern Munich – 33/1
Liverpool – 33/1
Newcastle – 40/1
Tottenham – 50/1
Aston Villa – 66/1 - Ian Tuckey
Ron's rep Mendes heads super-agent list
Cristiano Ronaldo’s representative Jorge Mendes tops a list of money-making super-agents – averaging £779,087 per deal.
Research from OLBG puts the Portuguese agent ahead of German Volker Struth, who averages £347,584 and represents Chelsea striker Timo Werner.
But Mendes is way out on top, with wantaway Manchester United legend Ronaldo joined on his list of 139 clients by fellow Portuguese superstars like Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva.
Ronaldo has been valued at around £34million, with £72m-rated Man City playmaker Silva the most valuable according to Transfermarkt.
Mendes takes a 10.03% cut on all deals, earning him close to £63m from £626m worth of contracts.
Struth’s most valuable client is Germany star Werner, who has hinted this week he is frustrated at not being an automatic choice at Stamford Bridge.
British agent Jonathan Barnett comes third on the list, averaging £164,633 per deal but having by far the most number of clients, including Jack Grealish, Gareth Bale, Saul Niguez, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Jordan Pickford.
To see OLBG’S full list, click HERE.
- Ian Tuckey
Gunners 'prepare bid for Melo'
Arsenal are gearing up to bid for Juventus midfielder Arthur Melo – as an alternative to Leicester's Youri Tielemans.
That's the verdict of Italian football reporter Marcello Chirico, who says the Gunners will 'soon' make an offer for Brazilian Melo.
It comes amid increasing talk of Manchester United preparing to enter the hunt for Belgium ace Tielemans.
- Ian Tuckey
Jesus already 'fits like a glove'
Gabriel Jesus has 'really impressed' Arsenal legend Ray Parlour in pre-season.
Ex-midfielder Parlour believes the £50million former Manchester City striker has 'fitted in like a glove'.
And with Alexandree Lacazette following Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang out of the Emirates, Parlour said: "What a replacement!"
He told Sky Sports: “I have been really impressed with him.
"He’s fitted in like a glove. Sometimes you don’t hit the ground running, but in pre-season, he has looked very sharp.
“A brilliant signing. Losing Lacazette and you had to replace him. But what a replacement.”
- Ian Tuckey
Piers reveals bid to get Cristiano to join Arsenal
Piers Morgan has revealed he’s doing everything he can to get Cristiano Ronaldo to Arsenal this summer.
He said to talkSPORT: “Arsenal fans listening should know I’m doing everything in my power to try and persuade him to come to Arsenal.
“And bearing in mind he was close to coming to Arsenal as an 18-year-old, he was about to sign under Arsene Wenger, and at the last minute he blitzed United in a friendly for Sporting Lisbon and Ferguson didn’t leave that game until he signed him.
“I believe he’d be coming home! Him up front with Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah would be a fantastic forward line for us, so why not?”
- Ian Tuckey
Tielemans ready for United You-turn?
Youri Tielemans is being increasingly tipped to consider joining Manchester United – despite previous claims that the Arsenal target would reject such a move
Erik ten Hab's arrival as Old Trafford boss this summer dramatically upped the chances of the Leicester midfielder opting for United.
The Dutchman is a big fan of the Belgium superstar.
Tielemans is expected to discuss his future with Foxes' manager Brendan Rodgers in the next few days.
- Ian Tuckey
De Bruyne and Mount inspire me
Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe hopes clips of Chelsea's Mason Mount and Manchester City playmaker Kevin de Bruyne inspire him to a World Cup spot.
Smith Rowe revealed he's been studying the consistent duo as he bids to cement a regular place with the Gunners and then a squad place for England in Qatar this winter.
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- Ian Tuckey
Sevilla hoping for cut-price Pepe
Sevilla are interested in signing Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe, according to reports.
The Ivorian cost the Gunners £72million in 2019, but has slipped down the pecking order at the Emirates.
With Pepe now behind the likes of Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Gabriel Martinelli and Fabio Vieira, Arsenal are keen to sell him this summer.
Club chiefs know that they won’t get anywhere near the £72m they paid for him and are hoping for offers around £21m.
According to local paper Diario de Sevilla, Pepe is of interest to Sevilla… but not at that price.
They claim that the LaLiga side have made initial contact with Arsenal over a deal worth around £15m plus add-ons.
- Ian Tuckey
Jesus blasts Mina misdemeanours
Gabriel Jesus blasted Everton centre-back Yerry Mina's aggressive behaviour towards him during Arsenal's 2-0 friendly win in Baltimore.
Striker Jesus continued an impressive start to his Arsenal career with the opener but was confronted several times by the Colombia star.
Mina seemed to direct aggressive gestures towards the Brazilian – in contrast to the rest of a peaceful friendly.
Jesus told TNT Sports: "You know what, I have played with Mina before in Palmeira. We were so close to each other.
"Then, after, I don’t know why he started to attack me to do something like this on my chest and then talking s**t. I don’t know why.
"I don’t know the reason for him to do this. At the end I am not a kid any more and I go straight to him as well."
- Ian Tuckey
Gab's Rich picking for Golden Boot winner
Arsenal's top summer signing Gabriel Jesus reckons new Tottenham counterpart Richarlison can win the Golden Boot this season.
Ex-Manchester City star Jesus also hopes to contest the award for top Premier League scorer – shared by Liverpool's Mo Salah and Spurs livewire Son Heung-min last term.
And he told the Mirror of fellow Brazil striker Richarlison: "He's a very good guy, amazing player, so I wish him all the best but not against us!
"I hope that we can can both end the season fighting for the Golden Boot because I like him."
Manchester City new boy Erling Haaland, Tottenham's Harry Kane and Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo – if he stays in the Prem- should also be challenging for the scoring plaudits.
- Ian Tuckey
Be car full what you wish for
Cristiano Ronaldo has a car collection worth a staggering £18million, writes ETIENNE FERMIE.
The Manchester United star owns a fleet including an £8.5m Bugatti and a £1m McLaren Senna.
After his hat-trick against Tottenham in March he even treated himself to a brand new £200,000 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera.
A study by the Bill Plant Driving School reveals that it would have taken Ronaldo 33 hours, 47 minutes and 56 seconds on his £24.96m annual salary to earn the £18,064,666 that his collection is worth.
Lionel Messi's car fleet is worth even more than Ronaldo's, but his higher salary would see him pay it off quicker. The Argentine's collection is worth £28,169,068 and includes a £1.5m Pagani Zonda.
He was also gifted Audi motors as part of their former sponsorship deal with Barcelona. With Messi's eyewatering £52m annual salary, he can pay off his total car collection in 27 hours, 17 minutes and 36 seconds of action.
Neymar is next on the list with an £11,790,864 collection including a rare Maserati. His stunning £31,304,000 salary sees him take eight hours, 52 minutes and 58 seconds to pay it off.
Forwards Karim Benzema and Zlatan Ibrahimovic come next,on £7,897,900 and £4,555,232 respectively.
Roma new-boy Paulo Dybala has a collection worth £2,750,527, while Juve's returning hero star Paul Pogba's garage includes a Rolls Royce in a selection worth £1.6m.
HERE'S OUR FULL LOW-DOWN
- Ian Tuckey
Gunners loan Flores to Oviedo
Arsenal youngster Marcelo Flores is set to join Real Oviedo on a season-long loan, according to reports.
The attacking midfielder, 18, is yet to make his debut for the Gunners.
But he was part of the matchday squad against Crystal Palace last season which suggests Mikel Arteta rates him.
Before he is trusted in the senior team Flores will have to get some minutes under his belt, with La Liga 2 side Real Oviedo on the verge of loaning him according to Fabrizio Romano.
The journalist claims the two clubs have agreed a deal and the paperwork has been completed with Oviedo happy to move.
It is a chance for Flores to get first-team minutes under his belt after being confined to the youth teams at Arsenal.
Flores joined the Gunners in 2019 after spending three years in Ipswich's academy following his move from Canada, where he is from.
The youngster is eligible to play for Canada but has chosen Mexico instead and already has three caps. He earned international recognition after impressing in Premier League 2 last season, scoring four goals in ten appearances.
Flores also impressed at under-18 level and will hope to follow in the footsteps of Eddie Nketiah and Emile Smith Rowe, who now have a first-team role after loan spells.
- Ian Tuckey
Bremer snubs Prem for Juventus
Juventus have beaten Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal to Torino centre-back Gleison Bremer.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano tweeted to say the Brazilian will swap Serie A clubs for £38million plus add-ons with a contract until 2027.
Chelsea are thought to still want two more central defenders, while United and Arsenal could also remain in the market for backline reinforcements.
All three Prem giants were previously been linked to uncapped Bremer, 25.
- Ian Tuckey
Gran Slam optimism
Granit Xhaka is convinced Arsenal are about to embark on a productive journey next season.
He told ESPN: “I can see something is growing here. Sometimes you need more time than the people want, but I have a feeling that we are in a good way.
“Last season, we were very close to achieving something and this season, let’s start and after we can speak again after 38 games.
“Hopefully we are where we want to be.”
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