Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Gunners ‘reach agreement’ with Edu’s replacement, Isak’s ‘price tag REVEALED’, Sesko BOOST
ARSENAL are looking ahead to what is expected to be a MASSIVE summer transfer window for the club.
First on the agenda looks to be the appointment of a new sporting director after the club reportedly reached an agreement with former Atletico Madrid chief Andrea Berta.
A new striker is top of the transfer shortlist, with RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko the top target - and his release clause has been set with Manchester United also interested in the forward.
Another forward the Gunners are interested in is Newcastle's Alexander Isak, but the Toon have reportedly placed a whopping £105million price tag on the Swede.
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Follow ALL of the latest news, rumours and transfer updates from the Emirates below...
Ready to savour Sali
Arsenal are reportedly weighing up a bumper new contract for William Saliba.
The centre-back has become an integral part of Mikel Arteta’s defence at the Emirates.
Real Madrid have been eyeing the 23-year-old, who has formed a strong partnership with Gabriel.
According to TBR Football, Arsenal are willing to make Saliba one of the highest-earners at the club with a new deal.
Sesk appeak for Prem giants
RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko could be at the centre of another Prem transfer tussle.
Arsenal are tipped to be frontrunners, with £66million reckoned to be the likely fee.
But Manchester United could also be in contention again.
Credit: Rex Computer not so super for Champions League bid
Arsenal have been given just an 11.6 per cent chance of winning this season’s Champions League.
A supercomputer has processed all scenarios and formulated the likely outcome of each team’s season.
Arsenal have been given a 75 per cent chance of beating PSV to reach the quarters.
But from there they become underdogs, with rivals Liverpool favourites to win the whole competition.
Gunners legend switching to AI-rsenal?
Sol Campbell wants to create a “virtual coach” and take AI-led scouting and coaching platforms across the globe.
The former Arsenal and England defender started working with a Swiss tech firm last year.
His role was to leverage the power of Artificial Intelligence to help clubs analyse matches and player performance.
Campbell, 50, has now branched out on his own and wants take his ideas and software worldwide.
He said: “In the UK, there are so many analysts and it’s great.
“This is for India, America, Africa and the Caribbean where they need sophisticated coaching.
“I’m trying to develop, in the future, something where everyone will have access to high-level coaching, wherever you are in the world.”
Yet Campbell urged caution about the rise of AI.
He said: “You cannot disregard the human eye and experienced coach, scout or fitness expert.”
Campbell has experience in coaching from his days as manager of Macclesfield Town and Southend United.
Berta 'picks Gunners ahead of Man Utd'
Andrea Berta was reportedly on Manchester United's radar - before it's understood he agreed to become Arsenal's sporting director.
Edu is stepping down after five years in the role at the Emirates.
And it's claimed Berta, 53. was also interesting United as well as continental rivals like Paris Saint-Germain.
He held a similar role at Atletico Madrid for 12 years.
Joshua Kimmich situation
Arsenal have held talks with Bayern Munich ace Joshua Kimmich over a stunning free transfer.
Kimmich is set to leave Bayern when his contract expires this summer.
According to Sky Germany, the Gunners have already initiated contact with the midfielder over a move to the Emirates.
The Germany international is interested in the Premier League but could yet opt for an offer from Paris Saint-Germain.
Strife irritates Art as he walks out of interview
Mikel Arteta walked out of his interview with Sky Sports after Arsenal drew with Manchester United.
The Gunners have dropped 15 points behind Liverpool in the race for the Premier League title with just ten games left to play.
Arteta, 42, was clearly frustrated after watching Declan Rice's strike rescue a point for his side at Old Trafford.
Mikel Arteta did not finish his interview with Sky SportsCredit: Sky Sports The Spaniard had very little patience during his post-match interview with broadcaster Sky Sports.
He answered questions about the performance but wanted to leave before the interviewer finished his questions.
The last moment saw Arteta start to walk out after being asked about the club's failure to sign a striker in January.
The interviewer stopped the manager to insist that he ask about the title race and the huge gap between Arsenal and Liverpool.
He walked out after being asked about the title raceCredit: Sky Sports However, Arteta just muttered "no" and continued to walk out of the interview.
Fans found the moment hilarious as they reacted to it on social media. One posted: "Mikel Arteta’s head is HOT."
Arsenal fury as wall TOO FAR back for Bruno goal
Arsenal fans have been left raging after finding out their wall was marched too far back for Bruno Fernandes' stunning free-kick.
Manchester United broke the deadlock in the 1-1 draw on the stroke of half-time via an incredible set-piece strike from their captain.
Arsenal's wall was marched further back than ten yards The free-kick was won by Alejandro Garnacho after he was fouled on the edge of the box by Leandro Trossard.
Fernandes stood over the ball as referee Anthony Taylor walked Arsenal's rearguard backwards.
Gunners fans felt the extra 1.2 yards made all the difference Despite man mountains in Riccardo Calafiori, Jurrien Timber, Mikel Merino, Gabriel and Declan Rice forming the line, United's talisman was still able to generate enough power and dip to beat the jumping wall and David Raya in goal.
But eagle-eyed fans noticed that Arsenal's five-man wall looked a long way from where the ball was placed.
Bruno Fernandes' goal broke the deadlock just before half-timeCredit: AP Gary Neville spotted it immediately, saying on commentary: "The wall looks a fair way back. Looks like it's giving him a chance. It looks a mile back.
"Usually, you see the wall, particularly a big wall like that, it always looks really difficult to get it up and over. There just seemed to be so much space, so much space that he didn't even have to go that high up into the net."
Sky Sports later confirmed that the wall was in fact 11.2 yards away - instead of the regulated ten.
Leandro Trossard targeted
Arsenal ace Leandro Trossard is on the radar of Saudi big spenders ahead of the summer transfer window.
Trossard will only have a year left on his contract at the end of the season.
Al-Ittihad failed with a £30million bid to sign the winger in September.
The Belgium international has been a key figure for the Gunners this season.
Martinelli to be sold?
Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli could be sold this summer but only if the club receives a bid worth at least £70million.
That's the claim from various reports as the Gunners' manager Mikel Arteta values Martinelli highly.
The winger, who just returned to the North Londoners' squad after a hamstring injury, is seen as an important player by the Arteta.
That is despite the fact injuries have plagued the Brazil international this season.
RESULT: Man Utd 1-1 Arsenal
Only Raya's stunning last-gasp save denied Man Utd victory.
The thrilling draw leaves Arsenal 15 points behind leaders Liverpool.
United are still down in 14th place.
Arsenal 'close' to Osimhen'
Arsenal are close to agreeing a deal for Napoli superstar Victor Osimhen, according to sensational speculation.
Osimhen, who is currently playing on loan at Galatasaray, has been trailed by Premier League giants for at least a year.
Manchester United and Chelsea have also been linked with the star striker.
But reports in his native Nigeria claim the Gunners have agreed a £62million fee to bring in in the 26-year-old this summer.
Ferdinand shares Arsenal advice
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand believes only one signing can transform Arsenal to serious title contenders - and it's Newcastle star striker Alexander Isak.
If you can sign Isak, you’ve got to do it.
They could win the league with him because he’s phenomenal and gives them something different.
They’ve put so many good pieces in but they need that little extra now.
Rio FerdinandMan Utd 0-0 Arsenal
And they're off!
Follow all the live action while I bring you all the latest Arsenal news HERE in the link below:
Man Utd vs Arsenal live action
Us at SunSport are covering the Premier League crunch clash between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford.
Follow all the live action in the link below:
Man Utd vs Arsenal benches
Ex-Arsenal prospect Chido Obi starts on Manchester United's bench and Gabriel Martinelli returns to the Gunners' squad after his hamstring injury:
Man Utd subs: Harrison, Mee, Amass, Collyer, Fletcher, Moorhouse, Obi, Hojlund.
Arsenal subs: Neto, White, Kiwior, Zinchenko, Tierney, Lewis-Skelly, Jorginho, Sterling, Martinelli.
The team sheets are in
Man Utd XI: Onana, Yoro, De Ligt, Lindelof, Mazraoui, Eriksen, Casemiro, Dalot, Fernandes, Garnacho, Zirkzee.
Arsenal XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Partey, Odegaard, Rice, Nwaneri, Trossard, Merino.
Gabriel Martinelli boost
Arsenal have received a boost regarding Gabriel Martinelli's fitness.
Martinelli has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since February.
However, the winger appears to have travelled with the Gunners for tonight's Premier League crunch clash with Manchester United.
However, there is currently no indication the Brazil international will play at Old Trafford.
Major Arsenal plans
Arsenal are putting together their pre-season plans with a switch from the United States to Asia this summer potentially on the cards - Hong Kong poses as an option.
Last year, the Gunners faced Bournemouth and Manchester United in Los Angeles as well as Liverpool in Philadelphia across seven days in July.
But the staging of the upcoming Club World Cup in the USA from June 14 to July 13 across 11 host cities has complicated another trip across the Atlantic.
There are suggestions Asia could now play host to the first ever North London Derby outside of the UK with Tottenham likely to be in that area.
One of the venues that could hold the match is the newly-developed 50,000-capacity Kai Tak Sports Park.
Why Man Utd wear black
Manchester United fans are expected to don out black today ahead of the match with Arsenal at Old Trafford in their latest installments of protest against the club's ownership.
Supporter group 'The 1958' is planning a demonstration against the Glazer family and United part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
The fans will march to Old Trafford before the game, beginning at 3.15pm GMT from the Tollgate Pub near the stadium.
They will go down to Man Utd's Trinity monument and Old Trafford's Munich Tunnel.
The organisation hopes it "could be one of the largest ever protests" in the club's history.
Sesko asking price boost
RB Leipzig star and Arsenal transfer target Benjamin Sesko will be available for only £66million this coming summer.
Sesko is thought to be a major target for the Gunners heading to the summer transfer market.
Reports claim the centre-forward will have a relatively reasonable asking price at the end of the term.
But Arsenal face competition from other clubs, including Premier League opponents Manchester United.
Credit: Rex
Williams explains snub
Athletic Bilbao star Nico Williams revealed he snubbed a move to Arsenal last summer because the relationship he has with his current club and the fans is "incredible".
This relationship we have at the heart of the club is incredible.
Everyone respects everyone else, which is incredible.
This atmosphere, I’ll never have it anywhere else. I decided to stay because of that.
I took the decision I thought was the right one. I’m happy, and I’m trying to do my best.
Nico Williams'New' sporting director
Arsenal are set to appoint Andrea Berta as their new sporting director.
Berta is seen as the man to replace Edu who left the club in November to to reportedly oversee clubs owned by Evangelos Marinakis, which includes Nottingham Forest.
The Italian initially joined Atletico Madrid as their technical director in 2013 before becoming their sporting director in 2017 but left Atletico in January and is now set to return to football with the Gunners.
According The , the 53-year-old has reached an agreement with the North Londoners after prioritising a move to the Emirates over several other 'top-level' roles elsewhere.
Arsenal are said to have considered a number of candidates for the role before settling on Berta.
Vlahović bid
Arsenal's striker search continues.
The Gunners are preparing a formal bid of around £25m for Juventus forward Dušan Vlahović says Italian publication TuttoJuve.
The Serbian forward has found his gametime limited under new manager Thiago Motta and even more with the arrival of loan signing Randal Kolo Muani.
Obi departure "very unfortunate"
Teen sensation Chido Obi made the controversial switch from North London to Manchester in the summer in the hope for a fastrack path to senior football.
Given Arsenal's depleted forward line, that opportunity possibly could've been presented around the same time he has broken into the United fold.
Mikel Arteta says it was "very unfortunate" for Arsenal to lose Danish striker Obi to Manchester United.
