Transfer news and rumours: Arsenal chase down Gonzalo Higuain while John Stones favours Manchester City move

All the latest transfer news and rumours from the Premier League on Wednesday 13 July

Wednesday 13 July 2016 07:16 BST

Arsenal target Gonzalo Higuain (Getty)

Arsenal are continuing to chase down Napoli’s Gonzalo Higuain. The Gunners are ready to offer Olivier Giroud and £42m for the Argentine strike as they look to freshen up their front line, the Sun reports. Giroud’s agent has also talked up the deal by admitting his client would thrive at a club like Napoli. Higuain scored 36 goals in 35 league appearances last season and is understood to be seeking a move away from Serie A. Can Arsenal get their man?

The Gunners may remain hopeful on Higuain but the London club have had a £25m bid rejected for Juventus defender Daniele Rugani, according to the Daily Express. The club are in the market for a new centre-back this summer with doubts remaining over both Per Mertesacker and Gabriel. The young Italy impressed in Serie A last season but is currently behind Leonardo Bonucci, Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini in the pecking order.

John Stones has made clear his plans for the future after he told Everton he wants to move to Manchester City. The Liverpool Echo is reporting that the young defender wishes to join Pep Guardiola’s side prior to City’s pre-season training. Stones is hoping that the move to the Etihad Stadium can gather pace this week but Guardiola will have to be prepared to meet his £50m asking price first.

It’s not looking as promising on the Leroy Sane front though. The midfielder has not told Schalke that he wants to leave, according to the Daily Star, and the German giants will only entertain offers for their young star should he hand in a transfer request. It seems City boss Pep Guardiola is eager to get his man, however, and would be willing to shell out £40m for the 20-year-old.

Arsenal's summer transfer targets for 2016/17

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1/12Arsenal's summer transfer targets for 2016/17

Arsenal's summer transfer targets for 2016/17

Alexandre Lacazette

The Frenchman scored 21 goals for Ligue 1 side Lyon last season and has since emerged as hot property within the European market. West Ham have already had their two offers for the 25-year-old rejected and Arsenal were reported to have joined the race for his signature. But despite indications that they were prepared to pay the £34.2m fee that will trigger talks with the player, Lyon club president recently revealed that the Gunners have yet to make a bid for the forward. Could Arsenal be biding their time?

Arsenal's summer transfer targets for 2016/17

Ricardo Rodriguez

The Wolfsburg left-back has said he expects to leave the club this summer and that it would be “exciting” to join Switzerland teammate Granit Xhaka at Arsenal. Rodriguez, 23, has a €25 million release clause in his contract and the Gunners have recently been tipped as forerunners to sign the Swiss defender.

Arsenal's summer transfer targets for 2016/17

Julian Draxler

According to recent reports, Arsenal launched a £43m bid for the German player as speculation continues to mount about his future at Wolfsburg. The Gunners are looking to bolster their striking options to aid striker Olivier Giroud and Arsene Wenger is known to be an admirer of Draxler, having targeted the winger last summer. The former Schalke star scored ten goals last season since his move to the Volkswagen Arena.

Arsenal's summer transfer targets for 2016/17

Nevan Subotic

With many urging coach Arsene Wenger to bring in a new centre-back, Borussia Dortmund’s Neven Subotic could be the answer. The 27-year-old has only made six appearances in the Bundesliga for Dortmund this past season and has reportedly been given permission to miss training in order to discuss his future. Costing an expected £14m, Arsenal are reportedly contemplating making a move for the player in what would be a fantastic bit of business given his quality and relatively low price-tag.

Arsenal's summer transfer targets for 2016/17

Romelu Lukaku

The Belgium international looks destined to leave Goodison Park this summer after stating his desire to play Champions League football next season. Arsenal could be the club to offer him that as Arsene Wenger continues to search for a striker having been snubbed by Leicester’s Jamie Vardy. Ray Parlour urged his former club to sign the forward, arguing that the side needs “someone of the calibre of a Sergio Aguero or a Luis Suarez.” The Emirates hierarchy is reportedly keen on bringing in him but Everton’s £50m price-tag could prove to be a sticking point.

Arsenal's summer transfer targets for 2016/17

Alvaro Morata

Arsenal were one of the many sides linked to Real Madrid’s Alvaro Morata after the Spaniard recently returned to the Bernabeu. Reports seemed to suggest that Real Madrid had brought back the striker in order to sell him on for a profit and Arsenal had emerged as favourites at one point to sign him. However, valued at around £65m, the striker may prove out of Wenger’s price range while other reports suggest Madrid will now be keeping hold of the striker.

Arsenal's summer transfer targets for 2016/17

N’Golo Kante

After failing to prise Jamie Vardy away from the King Power Stadium, Arsene Wenger seems to have turned his attention to another Leicester City gem. The French manager has publicly praised his fellow countryman in recent weeks, describing him as “One of the revelations of the French team”. Whether Gunners decide to make a formal bid for the 25-year-old remains to be seen but there’s no doubting the midfield dynamo would slot nicely into the Arsenal outfit.

Arsenal's summer transfer targets for 2016/17

Gonzalo Higuain

The former Real Madrid striker has been repeatedly linked with a move to north London but the transfer has failed to materialise in the past. In an encouraging turn of events for fans, Higuain’s agent has allegedly made contact with Arsenal who are potentially interested in trying again to bring the Argentinian to the Emirates. Higuain scored 36 Serie A goals in 35 appearances for Napoli last season, breaking a league record in the process. The striker would be the perfect addition to Arsenal’s front-line.

Arsenal's summer transfer targets for 2016/17

Moussa Sissoko

After impressing at Euro 2016 for France, Newcastle’s Moussa Sissoko has been linked with a move away from the Teesside club to the Emirates. The 26-year-old failed to prevent Newcastle from slipping into the Championship last season and was subject to widespread criticism for his underwhelming performances. But after finding his form in France, Arsenal have now emerged as favourites to sign the £35m-rated midfielder.

Arsenal's summer transfer targets for 2016/17

Stevan Jovetic

A number of British and foreign media outlets have linked Inter Milan’s Stevan Jovetic with a move to the Emirates this summer. Reports suggest the forward won’t be a part of Roberto Mancini’s plans at the San Siro despite joining the club on a permanent basis with the club following an 18-month loan stint in Milan. Following a flurry of rumours mid-June, Arsenal’s links to Jovetic have dropped off somewhat in recent weeks.

Arsenal's summer transfer targets for 2016/17

Arda Turan

Barcelona are reportedly willing to offload midfield misfit Arda Turan for as little as £23m this summer. Turan has underwhelmed for the Catalan giants who are apparently looking to cut their losses on the Turkey international. According to Marca, Arsenal may be prepared to take the midfielder, who spent much of last season largely on the bench, off Barcelona’s hands.

Arsenal's summer transfer targets for 2016/17

Antoine Griezmann

Questionable this one, admittedly, but there have been some whispers on the grape vine. The Arsenal boss was spotted chatting to the Frenchman during Sunday night’s final but, given the context, it’s hard to imagine Wenger was attempting to persuade the player to move to Arsenal. The chances of Griezmann making the switch are, well, pretty slim. The Atletico Madrid player is committed to the club until 2021 and rumours suggest he has a release clause set at €100m. There’s no harm in dreaming, though.

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho could be reunited with his former Chelsea star Cesc Fabregas. The Spaniard’s place at Stamford Bridge is in question as Antonio looks to freshen up his new side but there may be little room for Fabregas in the new Chelsea outfit. According to the Daily Mirror, Mourinho would be ready to swoop for the 29-year-old, whom he has a strong relationship with, if the midfielder became surplus to Conte’s requirements.

Elsewhere, free agent and Welsh superstar Hal Robson-Kanu, 27, has been offered £100,000-a-week to move to the Chinese Super League after an impressive Euro 2016 campaign, the Daily Mirror writes.

Middlesbrough are close to signing 30-year-old Valencia forward Alvaro Negredo on a loan deal, reports the Guardian.

Manchester United summer transfer targets

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1/8Manchester United summer transfer targets

Manchester United summer transfer targets

Ivan Perisic, Inter Milan

United want to spend £35m on Perisic but Inter are holding out for closer to £50m. That said, Mourinho is a big fan and may be willing to go the extra mile to get him. Likelihood: 7/10

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Manchester United summer transfer targets

Renato Sanches - Bayern Munich

Sanches was being chased by United before deciding on Bayern Munich last summer but is back on their radar again 12 months later. He is available for £43m and Ancelotti has admitted United are "a possibility".

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Manchester United summer transfer targets

Fabinho - Monaco

An extremely versatile player Mourinho sees him more as a defensive midfielder and could be used to give Paul Pogba, last summer's big addition, more freedom. Monaco aren't in any rush to lose any more first team stars this summer though and are likely to demand a hefty fee. Likelihood: 7/10

AFP/Getty Images

Manchester United summer transfer targets

Eric Dier - Tottenham

United have already had a bid less than £25m rejected for the defensive midfielder and know they must more than double it to have any hope of signing Dier, who is understood to want the move.

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Manchester United summer transfer targets

Nemanja Matic - Chelsea

Nemanja Matic has twice worked under Jose Mourinho before and he wants to make it a third time at United. However, after beating Chelsea to Romelu Lukaku, relations between the two clubs have been soured somewhat.

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Manchester United summer transfer targets

Gareth Bale - Real Madrid

The Real Madrid forward would be a marquee signing, the type that the Manchester United boardroom are keen to make, and The Independent has been told by sources from both United and Madrid that a deal is 'much likelier' than ever before. The player himself though is happy in the Spanish capital. Likelihood: 5/10

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Manchester United summer transfer targets

Willian - Chelsea

Mourinho is a huge admirer of Willian, who he signed in 2013 while at Chelsea. The pair won a Premier League title and League Cup double together the following year and it is believed that the United manager will do his best to sign the player, who has not been a regular starter in Antonio Conte’s system. Whether Chelsea will allow him to leave, particularly to join Mourinho at their rivals is yet to be seen. Likelihood: 4/10

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Manchester United summer transfer targets

Andrea Belotti - Torino

Another of Europe’s most promising players, Belotti is fast becoming well-known after his outstanding performances at Torino, where he has scored 37 goals in 64 appearances since 2015. His best years are still ahead of him aged just 23, which contributes to the incredible €100m release clause, applicable only to clubs outside of Italy, negotiated into his contract. Torino are in no hurry to sell and will drive a hard bargain with any deal likely to start at upwards of £70m. Likelihood: 7/10

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According to the Telegraph, Swansea are launching an ambitious £10m bid for Leicester City’s Leonardo Ulloa, 29, in light of Andre Ayew and Bafetimbi Gomis’ expected departures.

And last but not least, the Daily Mirror believes that England are closing in on Sunderland’s Sam Allardyce as they look to appoint Roy Hodgson’s successor. Gary Neville could also be expected to make an instant return to the coaching staff as part of Big Sam’s team.

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