Mikel Arteta has reportedly offered up two separate Arsenal players to Inter Milan in desperate attempts to sign Lautaro Martinez
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Arsenal transfer rumours: Lacazette for Abraham?
Arsenal have been selective but clinical with their business in this summer’s transfer market so far.
Last week the club landed the highly sought-after signature of Brighton defender Ben White, who arrived at the Emirates for £50 million.
The transfer, which saw White become the fifth most expensive English footballer of all time, will bolster the Gunners’ defence after an underwhelming showing last time out.
As well as the defender, Mikel Arteta has lured Albert Sambi Lokonga to the club from Anderlecht and Nuno Tavares from Benfica.
Arsenal fans will be happy with the new names so far but, after a lowly eighth-place finish last term, will be hoping for some further business.
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With that in mind, Mirror Football walks you through four of the most audacious transfer rumours surrounding Arsenal right now.
Alexandre Lacazette or Hector Bellerin for Lautaro Martinez
Arsenal have been looking to boost their strike force this summer with the addition of Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez.
The Argentinian scored 17 goals and picked up 10 assists for the Nerazzurri in the Serie A last season.
Mikel Arteta is said to be a fan of the talisman and has been linked with him throughout the window.
Metro are reporting that Inter have refused a swap deal proposed by the Gunners.
Would Lautaro Martinez be a better option for Arsenal than Alexandre Lacazette? Let us know in the comments below.
Arsenal reportedly offered Alexandre Lacazette or Hector Bellerin as part of a trade deal for the striker.
Inter value their goalscorer at £68 million and are refusing to accept an offer below that, not taking the bait of Lacazette or Bellerin either.
Full-back Bellerin only featured in there of Arsenal’s final 13 league games last season and has fallen down the pecking order.
Striker Lacazette seems a priority to be offloaded by the Gunners before they sign a new forward, despite his 13 league goals last season being the best in the side.
Martin Odegaard back to the Emirates
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Arsenal’s next arrival in the transfer window could be a familiar face.
Real Madrid midfielder Martin Odegaard spent the back end of the 2020/21 season on loan at the Emirates and the club are said to be keen on bringing the 22-year-old back on a permanent deal, despite him only managing two goals and two assists across competitions for the club.
The Norweigan did seem keen to make his return to the Bernabeu a successful one under new coach Carlo Ancelotti, rubbishing claims that he might not get much game time.
The former Everton boss had previously written in his book that he had no intention of playing the youngster.
Odegaard said: “There was a bit of talk about it last time. Then I think maybe it was misinterpreted a bit by some, but that’s the way it is. It’s not something I stress about.”
However, football.london report that Real Madrid directors consider the door to be open for almost all players on their squad this summer.
That gives renewed hope to Arsenal as Madrid could encourage their midfielder to enter talks with the London club if a high enough offer came in.
Still a possibility of shock Jordan Henderson move
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Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has been the figurehead of The Reds’ successes in recent years.
The midfielder has just two years left on his current £140,000 deal at Anfield and, although talks have started, a new agreement is yet to be reached.
As a result, clubs across the continent have been sniffing around the Premier League and Champions League winner.
According to bookmaker Coral, Arsenal would be in pole position to sign Henderson should he want to leave.
It would be a shock transfer if it was to happen but Italian football journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has added fuel to that fire.
In his Benchwarmers column on Sunday, Romano said: “Liverpool will have to resolve the Jordan Henderson issue because it is real that there is no agreement so far for his new contract”.
Romano added that Arsenal would have to fight off competition from abroad, notably PSG, in a world where the Liverpool skipper would want away from Anfield.
Manuel Locatelli to Arsenal as Gunners can outbid Juventus
Sassuolo’s Manuel Locatelli is hot property this summer after a sizzling Euro 2020 display.
The Italian bagged a brace in the group stages against Switzerland and showed flashes of brilliance past his 23 years of age on his way to a winner’s medal.
The midfielder’s move from Sassuolo to Juventus seemed to be all but confirmed recently, though now it emerges the Italian giants are struggling to meet Sassuolo’s asking price.
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The Sun reports that Juventus can’t make ends meet to afford that £34 million asking price and talks are stuttering after officials met on three different occasions.
Juventus are believed to be pursuing a two-year loan deal with an option to make Locatelli’s move permanent after that, although it’s not what the player wants.
As a result, there is renewed hope for Arsenal who would also have to see off competition from Liverpool to land the midfield’s signature.
Reports suggest Arsenal have the funds to meet Sassuolo’s demands and are aided by the fact the club want to sell quickly to give them time to find a replacement for the Italian star.
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