Latest Arsenal transfer news and gossip, with updates on Marc Guehi, Riccardo Calafiori, Joshua Kimmich and more
Marcus Rashford of Manchester United celebrates following the team’s victory in the Emirates FA Cup Final match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on May 25, 2024 in London, England.
Arsenal have been sent a Marcus Rashford transfer message sign Bologna and Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori.
According to reports, a long-term proposal has been presented to the player, who also has concrete interest from Chelsea, Liverpool and Juventus. Though other clubs remain in the race, the Gunners have a clear advantage courtesy of two previous transfer decisions.
Elsewhere, Mikel Arteta and Edu are still aiming to strengthen in midfield with a whole host of potential signings linked. Youssouf Fofana and Amadou Onana are two players that look to be perfect for the role Arteta is trying to fill alongside Declan Rice.
Sanctioning exits is also an aim for Arsenal with the likes of Thomas Partey, Emile Smith Rowe and Aaron Ramsdale all potentially on the chopping block. Returning loanees such as Kieran Tierney and Sambi Lokonga are also expected to depart permanently with an update on the latter emerging.
With that in mind, football.london has got you covered for the all the latest Arsenal transfer news and rumours with regular updates to come throughout the day!
Arteta on new Arsenal contract
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has remained coy over talk regarding a new contract at Emirates Stadium.
“There is no update [on his contract] at the moment,” he told ESPN. “The thing that hasn’t changed is how happy I am and how valued I feel here and how much I love representing this club.”
Pushed further for an update considering he has just one year remaining on his current deal, Arteta said: “I understand that [clarity over my future is needed for new signings], but the focus now is, ‘OK, how we can improve things around the team, how we can improve now the things in the transfer window that we have.’ We have time to sit down and discuss that.”
Mikel Arteta is still yet to sign a new contract with Arsenal
Arteta on Arsenal transfer plans
Mikel Arteta has offered a brand new verdict on Arsenal’s summer transfer window plans.
Speaking to ESPN, he said: “We are looking to improve in every possible department. With the new regulations, there are certain things we have to respect and be conscious of and then obviously the Euros and Copa America are slowing everything down. Hopefully now it is going to pick up a little bit.
“I think both ways [players coming in and going out of the club]. There are things that we have to improve, that’s for sure and we are going to try to. But the market is tricky.
“We have been very aggressive, we are very determined and we have a clear idea obviously of what we want to do. It will come down to finding the right agreements at the right time.”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta attends a press conference
Calafiori Arsenal bid ‘accepted’
Contrary to reports elsewhere, Arsenal have seen a €50million (£42.3m) offer for Ricardo Calafiori accepted, according to Italian outlet TuttoMercatoWeb, via Sport Witness.
Their new update claims that, after initially seeing a €47m bid turned down, the Gunners increased it their offer by €3m, which ‘satisfied’ Bologna, who have ‘said yes’ to the improved proposal.
Riccardo Calafiori is of interest to Arsenal in the summer transfer window
Rashford Arsenal transfer message
Arsenal have been linked with a sensational move for Manchester United star Marcus Rashford.
Paris Saint-Germain, in the market for a Kylian Mbappe replacement, are one club interested in signing the England international.
Alongside the French giants, Arsenal has been mooted as a potential destination for Rashford, although Silvestre believes he is better of staying at United. “Letting Rashford go would not be the right decision because you need to go in the market and find someone better than Marcus, if that’s the case,” he told bettingexpert.com.
“If you find that player he will be very expensive. Marcus is a senior, experienced Mancunian from the academy. I think he wants to stay. The manager likes him. I just hope Marcus bounces back this season.”
Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford celebrates.
Arteta stance on Calafiori transfer
Mikel Arteta is a huge fan of Arsenal transfer target Riccardo Calafiori, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, with some clarity given on why the Gunners want the Italy defender.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, he said: “Mikel Arteta already approved the player and is a big fan of Calafiori and keen on bringing him to the club.
“Arsenal have a shortlist with three names for that position: a left footed talented defender, playing as a left back, playing as a centre back. Calafiori is exactly what Arsenal need in that position, and what Arsenal want to bring in in the summer transfer window.
“Now waiting for the next steps, something between Arsenal and Bologna, this is the crucial step, this is the crucial point. For sure Calafiori gives his green light to Arsenal because he also knows that Juventus are almost no longer in the race. Juventus are considered out.”
Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori.
Arsenal sitting on £134m goldmine
Mikel Arteta and Edu could raise up to £134million this summer which could drastically help Arsenal seal marquee signings. As football.london has reported over the last few months, the Gunners’ priority remains to sign a new midfielder .
Amadou Onana and Youssouf Fofana have been just two of numerous options linked with Arteta aiming to find a perfect Declan Rice partner. Towards the final stages of the 2023/24 season, Thomas Partey was selected in midfield but he looks set to move on over the coming months.
Interest from Saudi Arabia and Italy is present in the experienced midfielder, valued at €18million (£15.2m), as per transfermarkt. Aaron Ramsdale is another linked to a departure with at least six more players potentially on the chopping block that could help Arsenal raise funds.
Kai Havertz can be the best of the best
Former Germany star Didi Hamann believes Havertz can become a world-class player after glipses of improvement at Arsenal last season.
He told Gambling Zone: “There isn’t a player in the squad that divides opinions as much as Kai Havertz. So far, he’s done OK.
“I think he’s in form now. He looks like he’s in a place where he could play a big role for the team in the coming games.I think Kai Havertz definitely has the potential to be one of the best players in the world if he can tidy up parts of his game.
“I think we could see some of that potential realised at this tournament, especially if he can do the business against Spain. He’s capable of producing something where everybody goes, wow.
“That’s the kind of player he is and that is why you’ve got to give him a bit of leeway and a bit of peace sometimes.”
Kai Havertz in action
Arsenal will jet off to America next month, and will play Manchester United and Liverpool in Los Angeles and Philadelphia respectively.
They will also host two games at the Emirates Stadium in August before the Premier League season gets underway.
Arsenal v Bournemouth: July 24, Los Angeles
Arsenal v Manchester United: July 27, Los Angeles
Arsenal v Liverpool: July 31, Philadelphia
Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen: August 7, Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal vs Lyon: August 11, Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta contract talks
Fabrizio Romano claims that the Arsenal boss could pen a new long-term deal at the Emirates.
He said on his Here We Go podcast: “Contacts continue between Arsenal and the agents of Mikel Arteta to extend his contract.
“Talks ongoing, talks going very well — Arteta wants to stay and wants to continue. Arsenal are super excited about this project with Arteta.”
Mikel Arteta could sanction up to nine Arsenal transfers this summer
Real Madrid plot Marc Guehi move
The Spanish giants are said to be the latest team to join the race for the Arsenal target.
The Sun claims that Madrid are ‘ready to launch’ a summer bid while Barcelona and Juventus are also keeping tabs on the Crystal Palace star.
GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY – JUNE 30: Marc Guehi of England during the UEFA EURO 2024 round of 16 match between England and Slovakia at Arena AufSchalke on June 30, 2024 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Arsenal ‘approve’ transfer exit
According to Fabrizio Romano, the Gunners have allowed Sambi Lokonga to depart the Emirates this summer, with talks ongoing with Sevilla.
Romano says: “Value of the buy clause being negotiated between clubs as player has given initial green light to the destination.”
Albert Sambi Lokonga
More info on Riccardo Calafiori
Although Chelsea are also pursuing a deal for the Bologna defender, Arsenal have a good relationship with the Italian side after previous negotiations for Takehiro Tomiyasu.