Arsenal are keen to regain their status as a Champions League club next season, and Mikel Arteta will be calling on some new signings to help his side achieve that feat
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Arsenal’s pre-season schedule as Gunners head to USA
After watching most of the rest of the ‘Big Six’ complete marquee signings, Arsenal look set to get in amongst the action soon.
Mikel Arteta looks set to tick off one of his transfer priorities soon with the arrival of Gabriel Jesus. Reports have circulated that the forward is on the cusp of joining the Gunners, and he will be the club’s long-awaited forward.
However, the Brazil international most certainly won’t be the only significant arrival at the Emirates Stadium this summer. Arteta wants to strengthen several other areas of his squad and thus Arsenal are being linked with other top talent.
Mirror Football brings you all the latest transfer stories surrounding the North London outfit…
Saliba prepared to leave
William Saliba enjoyed a very successful spell at Marseille on loan last season, and it comes as no real surprise that the Ligue 1 outfit wants to keep hold of the defender. Even former Gunners midfielder Matteo Guendouzi said that he would try and convince the 21-year-old to stay.
Despite that, Mikel Arteta has insisted that Saliba will remain in his squad this summer and has plans for him next season. However, according to the Express, if Saliba doesn’t receive ‘assurances of regular game time’ then he is willing to leave Arsenal.
The former Saint-Etienne defender has his heart set on being part of France’s World Cup plans this winter, and therefore wants to ensure that he is firmly in Didier Deschamp’s plans by playing on a weekly basis. It remains to be seen how the situation unfolds.
Raphinha pursuit to ‘intensify’
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Leeds’ Raphinha is proving one of the most sought-after stars this summer. The Gunners have already seen one bid rejected for the Brazilian, and it appears unlikely to be their last.
The Athletic report that Arsenal are ‘set to intensify’ their pursuit of the 25-year-old next week, with meetings with the player’s representatives scheduled. It is believed that Leeds will demand £65million for the services of the winger.
Barcelona are also very interested in Raphinha and haven’t been shy to make that known over the past few months, with reports that it is the former Rennes star’s preferred destination. However, their financial situation means that they haven’t been able to table a bid for the winger – though if a deal is struck for Frenkie De Jong with Manchester United soon then that could change.
Real Madrid ‘waiting on’ Marco Asensio
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Marco Asensio’s contract at Real Madrid expires next summer, and his future at the Santiago Bernabeu is still unknown. The winger, who made 31 league appearances last season, has been linked with several Premier League clubs – Arsenal included.
Asensio is a versatile player, capable of playing on the right-wing as well as in midfield. The Spain international does not have a contract extension offer on the table yet from Los Blancos, and Marca have reported that is because the club want to know his decision first.
The player’s agent, Jorge Mendes, is ‘looking for proposals’, whilst Madrid are waiting to hear what Asensio truly wants as he holds the ‘key’ to some of their other transfer dealings. Whether Arteta would like to bolster his options with both Asensio and Raphinha on the right remains unknown, though unlikely given that he already has Bukayo Saka in the position who is, arguably, the most exciting talent at the club.
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