Arsenal transfer news and rumours: £8m bid for Marcelo Brozovic; Mats Hummels and Morgan Schneiderlin non-committal
The latest transfer talk surrounding the Emirates
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.ARSENAL BOUND...
Arsenal have offered between £6-8m for central midfielder Marcelo Brozovic, according to Sky Italia. It comes after an initial lower bid for the Dinamo Zagreb player was rejected. The 22-year-old, who featured for Croatia at the World Cup, is more of a box-to-box midfielder in the vein of Frank Lampard, rather than the holding midfielder that Arsenal fans have been crying out for.
Another midfielder linked with Arsenal has been Morgan Schneiderlin. The Southampton player made it abundantly clear he wanted to leave St Mary's last summer, but they refused to grant the Frenchman his wish. Despite a superb season thus far, for both the player and his club, it seems Schneiderlin continues to have one eye on the exit. When asked about his future he said: “That’s up to everyone’s personal choices and the club choice. We are going to see where we are going to finish and what everyone’s going to do but right now I can’t predict anything.” Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester United have also been linked.
A player more likely to arrive this month is Krystian Bielik. Arsenal were last night close to completing a deal for the Legia Warsaw teenager. Hamburg were also interested in the 17-year-old holding midfielder but Arsenal, who had an opening bid rejected, were close to offering Legia’s £2.5m asking price.
As well as midfield reinforcements, Arsene Wenger is also understood to be keen to add players in defence. Hector Moreno is the latest to be connected with the Gunners. The 26-year-old Espanyol centre-back has been linked with a move to the Premier League in the past and as he returns from serious injury the rumours have started again. Arsenal scout Brian McDermott was reportedly at Espanyol's game against Valencia on Tuesday evening in which Moreno helped his side to a clean sheet.
Another centre-back who could be on his way to the Emirates is Mats Hummels, although the German World Cup winner has been linked with just about every club going. He's spoken to Sky Italia to say he will be making no promises to Borussia Dortmund about his future: “I have never said I will stay until 2024 or 2030 or whenever. But I have stayed until today. I will stick to my way of not promising anything and maybe leave someday instead of saying I will stay forever and then leave all of a sudden. I am not really know as a globetrotter. I have been with two clubs in 26 years. Loyalty is important to me. The only thing I am concerned with right now is to play better than in the first half of the season. I was not satisfied at all with myself as one can imagine. I have gotten offers from different clubs ever since I have been with Dortmund.”
The Express are reporting that Arsenal are looking at highly-rated Genoa keeper Mattia Perin. The Italian, 22, is lauded as the next Gianluigi Buffon in his home nation and Arsenal are considering a £12m move. Wenger appears to have lost faith in Wojciech Szczesny, picking David Ospina for the win against Stoke.
STAYING...
Finally, Arsenal have offered Chuba Akpom a new three-year deal as they try to keep the 19-year-old striker at the club. Akpom, who has made three first-team appearances this year, has six months remaining on his Arsenal deal and is therefore allowed to speak to interested foreign clubs. Feyenoord, FC Twente and Borussia Dortmund made Akpom offers to join in the summer and there is also interest from Premier League clubs.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments