Arsenal transfer news latest: William Saliba, Mario Lemina, Ryan Fraser, Wilfried Zaha, Dani Ceballos, Edu
Unai Emery is looking to reshape his squad this summer but only has around £40million to do so
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.William Saliba is on his way to England to seal a move to Arsenal, it has been claimed.
Unai Emery is desperate to make changes to his squad this summer but only has a budget in the region of £40million with which to do it.
That has made things difficult with the club yet to add to their ranks this summer.
But Goal report the Gunners have agreed a £26.5m deal with St Etienne that will see the 18-year-old stay in France for the season on loan.
This way, with Arsenal paying a small initial fee, Emery keeps the vast majority of his budget for other targets while also tying down Saliba.
Arsenal are one of a number of clubs who have enquired about the availability of Southampton's Mario Lemina.
Saints paid an initial £15.6m to sign the Gabon international from Juventus two years ago and want to recoup most of that back.
The Gunners are interested according to the Press Association with Manchester United and Leicester City also said to be keen.
Lemina has not been included in Southampton's 26-man squad for their pre-season training camp in Austria with a move away now likely.
A significant change could come behind the scenes with Edu set to return to the club in a key role.
The former midfielder is set to come back to the Emirates as technical director to replace Sven Mislintat who left earlier this year.
A move could be imminent with Edu replaced as general coordinator with the Brazilian national team leaving him clear to leave for England.
Arsenal’s ongoing interest in Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha is yet to reach anything close to a breakthrough, so much so that the club are ready to switch targets back to Ryan Fraser.
The club were keen on signing the Scotland international earlier in the summer for a fee around £25m before switching their attentions towards Zaha. But Palace’s hardball line combined with Arsenal’s extremely low offer has caused a change of heart among the club’s hierarchy, according to the Sunday Mirror.
The report claims that Arsenal are ready to go back in for Fraser this month, only if Zaha is out of their reach.Zaha meanwhile has broken his silence on reports linking him with a move away from Palace after the club swiftly rejected a £40m offer for him.
“The only thing that's on my mind right now is trying to win this cup,” said Zaha, who scored twice as Ivory Coast qualified for the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations.
When pressed on whether he wanted to play for Arsenal, he added: “I don't know. We'll see in the future.”
The forward then said on Twitter: “Whatever happened to speaking facts? It's sad and annoying how anyone will just open their mouth and speak on things or situations they know absolutely nothing about.”
Another alternative to Zaha is Barcelona’s Malcom. The Gunners came close to signing the 22-year-old Brazilian last summer and have been offered the opportunity to do so again after a stuttering season with the Spanish champions.
Kieran Tierney remains a very real option for Arsenal this summer but should they not get a deal over the line they've been offered an alternative.
The Express claim that the Gunners have been offered the chance to sign Ricardo Rodriguez from AC Milan.
The Swiss international doesn't feature in new boss Marco Giampaolo's plans with a deal apparently there to be done around £14m.
That would represent a much cheaper option than Tierney with Celtic holding out for closer to £25m for the Scottish international.
There could be worse news in the shape of Dani Ceballos, however.
Reports in Spain suggest that Tottenham have stolen a march in the race for his signature and are closing in on a deal.
The 22-year-old shone for Spain at the European Under-21 Championship in Italy and with Real Madrid looking to shift some of their fringe players could be available for a figure in the region of £44m.
However, today's reports claim a loan deal is in the offing with the option to buy at the end of the season.
Defender Shkodran Mustafi may finally be on his way out too after the Germany international removed all mention of the club from his Instagram profile.
Mustafi is not part of Unai Emery’s long-term future at Arsenal after falling behind Sokratis and Laurent Koscielny at centre-back, and he even started the campaign behind young English defender Rob Holding before his season-ending knee injury.
The club are open to selling Mustafi this summer, and the 27-year-old has dropped the biggest hint yet that he is on his way out by removing all mention of the club from his Instagram account.
Not only has Mustafi changed the profile picture of him in an Arsenal kit, but he has also removed “Arsenal player” from his bio, triggering speculation that a summer exit will be announced imminently.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments