Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Gunners ready to hijack Spurs’ Luiz deal, £50m Balogun price tag, £40m Kudus linked
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ARSENAL and bitter rivals Tottenham will tussle over the signing of Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz according to reports.
The Gunners were keen on Luiz last summer but the 25-year-old signed a new contract at Villa Park.
Meanwhile, the North London outfit have placed a £50m price tag on the head of sought-after striker Folarin Balogun, according to reports.
And Arsenal are being linked with £40million-rated Mohammed Kudus.
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Arteta's tactics give Tierney hope
Mikel Arteta's tactics against MLS All-Stars could have shown that Kieran Tierney still has a place at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners boss deployed new signing Jurrien Timber as an inverted right-back leaving space for a conventional left-back on the other side.
Tierney has fallen out of favour in North London since Arteta began to favour Oleksandr Zinchenko over the Scotsman.
Newcastle have been strongly linked with a move for the 26-year-old, but have not yet launched a bid.
There has also been rumours around a potential return to Celtic for the Arsenal defender.
Tomiyasu happy with return
Takehiro Tomiyasu took to Instagram after his first game back for Arsenal since he picked up an injury in March.
The Japan international took part in Arsenal's 5-0 thrashing of the MLS All Stars.
He will have more competition next season with the arrival of Jurrien Timber who can play at both right-back and centre-back as well.
Nic of time
Nicolas Pepe has reportedly seen a £4million-a-year move to Saudi Arabia collapse, leaving him in the lurch.
The winger spent last season on loan with Nice to get away from North London following his horror £72million transfer in 2019.
He has returned to the Gunners this summer but manager Mikel Arteta is ready to sell the Ivorian international.
CBS initially reported that an unnamed club in Saudi had approached Arsenal over signing Pepe but personal terms were not agreed.
Now, they say the deal is off and have moved on to other targets.
Credit: Getty It's a work of Art
Mikel Arteta has revealed that Kai Havertz could play a number of positions for the club.
The new man got off the mark for Arsenal in the 5-0 victory over MLS All-Stars this morning from central midfield after coming on as substitute.
And with Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah currently battling it out to be No9, Arteta has hinted that Havertz’s role may change over the course of the campaign.
He said: “He gives us something very different with his quality and size as well, when you have to beat the press for example and use him as a target man.
“So, we will see – for now, he’s playing in the attacking midfield position, but I’m sure throughout the season and throughout games as well, we’re going to have the options to play him in different positions.”
Sak's brilliant
Gooners have thanked "GOAT" Arsene Wenger for the advice he gave Bukayo Saka.
It has been revealed what the legendary Gunners boss told the England star during their first meeting last year.
Wenger and Saka met for the first time after Arsenal's 3-1 home win over West Ham in December 2022.
Arsenal executive vice-chairman Tim Lewis has now revealed what was said during their meeting.
He told The Telegraph: "It was great to take Arsene down to the dressing room. Bukayo didn’t know him but he called him ‘boss’ immediately.
"He said, ‘Boss, how can I improve?’ Arsene very dryly said, ‘I think you could use your right foot a bit more'."
Partey in Saudi?
Thomas Partey is the latest big name being linked with a move to the Saudi Professional League.
, Al Ahli are considering a move for the Ghanaian midfielder that would see him join up with former Premier League stars Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino and Edouard Mendy.
The Jeddah club have also expressed their interest in bringing in Fulham boss Marco Silva as their head coach.
Partey is currently in the United States with the travelling Arsenal squad, but the Gunners are said to be open to a deal as they look to recoup some of the £105m forked out for Declan Rice.
Arsenal to hijack Chelsea striker move
Arsenal are set to battle Chelsea for the signature of Montpellier centre-forward Elye Wahi this summer, according to RMC Sport.
The Gunners have now ‘enquired’ about Wahi and could potentially hijack Chelsea’s move.
Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly keen on the striker but plans to loan him to Strasbourg if he signs, with Wahi not so keen on that idea.
United up next on US tour
It's not long ago that a match with Manchester United was the standout fixture in the Premier League calendar for Arsenal fans.
But now, it's arguably not even the most interesting match being played on the club's pre-season schedule.
Nevertheless, the Gunners are preparing to face their old enemy, and will take them at the MetLife Stadium in New York on Saturday.
Arsenal's pre-season tour culminates with a game against Barcelona in Los Angeles before they head home to host Monaco in the Emirates Cup.
And if that's not enough of an opportunity of silverware, there's the traditional curtain-raiser to the league season: the Community Shield against Manchester City at Wembley.
Gunners chomping at the Bit
Arsenal are supposedly interested in signing Brazilian midfielder Bitello from Gremio, write .
According to Gremio president Alberto Guerra, the Gunners are one of several high-profile clubs that have scouted the 23-year-old in the past year.
And while no official bid has been forthcoming, the Premier League runners-up are expected to present an offer on Edu's advice in the coming days.
It has also been suggested that Bitello would be unlikely to receive the necessary documentation to immediately play in England, and so would be immediately sent out on loan for further development.
Arsenal still keen on Villa star
Despite finally landing £105m man Declan Rice, Mikel Arteta is still keen to add to his midfield - and remains keen on Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz.
The Gunners were repeatedly linked to the Brazilian this time last year, only to see a deadline day offer for the 25-year-old rejected.
Instead, Luiz signed a new contract with Villa, and transfer talk had gone quiet - until now.
Arsenal have competition though, not least from fierce rivals Tottenham, who have started to look for replacements for the outgoing Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
Inter make Balogun prime target
Inter Milan have made in-demand Arsenal man Folarin Balogun their number one target, according to reports in Italy.
believes the US international has been sought out as the man to spearhead the Nerazzurri attack for the coming seasons.
However, it is also believed that Inter are unwilling to match Arsenal's current valuation and are refusing to present an offer over €40m.
The Gunners, meanwhile, remain keen to include a buy-back clause in any deal they strike for the 22-year-old forward.
Auba and out of Chelsea
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is inching closer to becoming a Marseille player after completing his medical with the French club.
that the Gabonese forward’s switch to Ligue 1 will be confirmed once documents regarding the termination of his Chelsea contract are signed and counter-signed.
Marseille will be the 34-year-old’s fourth club in 18-months following short stints at both Barcelona and the Blues after four years at Arsenal.
The former Gunners captain scored 92 goals in 163 apps during his time at the Emirates.
Yellow Submarine interest in Cedric
Arsenal are preparing to receive an offer for defender Cedric from Villarreal.
The Express believe that the LaLiga club are plotting a move for the 31-year-old, who has 12 months remaining on his contract at the Emirates.
The Portuguese player spent the second half season on loan at Fulham, but failed to make much of an impact with Marco Silva's top-half team.
Benfica are also said to be interest in bringing the former Sporting star back to Portugal.
Young Gunner heads out on loan
While Arsenal's senior players bask Stateside in the glory of last night's thrashing of an MLS All-Stars, one youngster is preparing for the next phase of his development.
Nineteen-year-old forward Billy Vilgar will spend the coming season on loan at Eastbourne Borough in the National League South.
Having joined the Hale End Academy in 2017, Vilgar signed his first professional contract with the Gunners last summer before heading to Derby on loan.
World Cup winner praises Gunners
Argentina World Cup winner Thiago Almada has praised 'high-calibre' Arsenal after the Gunners cruised to victory in the opening match of their US tour.
Atlanta United midfielder Almada was part of an MLS All-Stars side beaten 5-0 by the Londoners at the Audi Field Stadium in Washington D.C in the early hours of this morning - but despite the scoreline, it was an experience he enjoyed nonetheless.
"It was really lovely to play against them," Almada said afterwards.
"They have a really high-calibre of player. They have a really high-calibre of coach. So they came out and they did their thing, and they left a good feeling for their fans. And for us, too, we leave here with really good memories from a lovely night."
Arsenal fans thank ‘GOAT’ Wenger
Arsenal fans have thanked "GOAT" Arsene Wenger for the advice he gave Bukayo Saka.
It has been revealed what the legendary Gunners boss told the England star during their first meeting last year.
Wenger and Saka met for the first time after Arsenal's 3-1 home win over West Ham in December 2022.
Arsenal executive vice-chairman Tim Lewis has now revealed what was said during their meeting.
He told : "It was great to take Arsene down to the dressing room.
"Bukayo (Saka) didn’t know him but he called him ‘boss’ immediately.
"He said, ‘Boss, how can I improve?’ Arsene very dryly said, ‘I think you could use your right foot a bit more'."
Partey time for Al Ahli?
Thomas Partey is the latest big name being linked with a move to the Saudi Professional League.
, Al Ahli are considering a move for the Ghanaian midfielder that would see him join up with former Premier League stars Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino and Edouard Mendy.
The Jeddah club have also expressed their interest in bringing in Fulham boss Marco Silva as their head coach.
Partey is currently in the United States with the travelling Arsenal squad, but the Gunners are said to be open to a deal as they look to recoup some of the £105m forked out for Declan Rice.
Flo ready believes Eddie
Folarin Balogun can make an impact at Arsenal, according to his teammate Eddie Nketiah.
US international Balogun is at the centre of transfer speculation following a fine loan spell in France with Reims last term.
However, fellow striker Nketiah is delighted to have him back with the Gunners - and believes he can make a name for himself in the Premier League.
"Flo’s a really good player," Nketiah told reporters following Arsenal's 5-0 win against the MLS All-Stars.
"We followed his progress last season. It’s great to have him back. Him and the other loan boys want to show their quality,"
Martinelli 'hungry' for more goals
Gabriel Martinelli has indicated that he's hoping to better last season's total of 15 Premier League goals.
The Brazilian star got off the mark for the pre-season in the 5-0 thrashing of an MLS All-Stars side in the early hours of this morning.
And now the winger has taken to social media to thank Washington D.C. for its hospitality off the pitch, and insists he's 'hungry' for even more success on it.
Credit: @gabimartinelli Twitter No for the new kit
Arsenal fans are still unhappy with their new kit despite winning 5-0 against MLS All Stars whilst wearing it.
Fans took to Twitter to voice their opinions on it.
One wrote: "Ok Arsenal won the bet, now where's the REAL new away kit?"
Another added: "That new Arsenal away kit is ruining my mood every time I see it"
Credit: Getty
Rice takes to Twitter
Declan Rice has tweeted after his first game for Arsenal.
The new signing featured in Arsenal's 5-0 thrashing of MLS All Stars.
Arteta wants things done right
Mikel Arteta has insisted that he wants his attack to build their chemistry quickly for the best preparation.
We have to start doing the right things in preseason to get the best possible preparation and get that chemistry and cohesion in the team.
And then we go step by step.
It’s a tremendous league, it’s so competitive.
Let’s see how we start and we will go from there.
Mikel Arteta'Hav that'
Pepe blow
Nicolas Pepe has reportedly seen a £4million-a-year move to Saudi Arabia collapse, leaving him in the lurch.
The winger spent last season on loan with Nice to get away from North London following his horror £72million transfer in 2019.
He has returned to the Gunners this summer but manager Mikel Arteta is ready to sell the Ivorian international.
CBS initially reported that an unnamed club in Saudi had approached Arsenal over signing Pepe but personal terms were not agreed.
Now, they say the deal is off and have moved on to other targets.
