Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Gunners get ‘Sane boost’, Lookman interest, Premier League clubs ‘in Rodrygo battle’
ARSENAL are looking ahead to a HUGE summer transfer window after another trophyless season.
The Gunners have been linked with a move for Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sane - and it has been reported that the German has turned down a new contract at the Allianz.
Elsewhere, Arsenal are admirers of Ademola Lookman after a few stellar years at Atalanta.
In other news, the North Londoners are one of many Premier League clubs eyeing Real Madrid winger Rodrygo, according to reports.
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Follow ALL of the latest news, rumours and transfer updates from the Emirates below...
Rival joins Garcia race
Further back, goalkeeper is an area Arsenal may look to reinforce in the summer.
David Raya has catapulted himself into 'best in the country' territory following his exploits this season, but as back-up goes it wears thin for the Gunners.
35-year-old Neto is on-loan and is expected to go back to Bouremouth in the summer and Tommy Setford, 19, remains a prospect.
The Mirror reports that if Emiliano Martinez chooses to leave this summer, Aston Villa will look Joan Garcia, the shot-stopper for Espanyol, as a replacement.
Former Gunner Martinez has been earmarked for a move to the Saudi Pro League in recent weeks.
Gyokeres and Sesko alternative
Arsenal's pursuit for an out-and-out striker doesn't stop at Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko.
The club are adamant that they have other targets on the list, and according to German newspaper Bild, one of those names includes Borussia Dortmund star Serhou Guirassy.
The Guinea international has built upon that stellar 2023/2024 in his debut season at Dortmund, bagging 33 goals in 44 appearances across all competitions, and he's second only behind Harry Kane in the Bundesliga scoring charts.
A special release provision in Guirassy's contract, which only allows a select few elite teams to make a deal for that sum, is said to allow Arsenal to sign him for just £59 million as well, which also includes Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Credit: Getty Huijsen joins Real Madrid
Arsenal target Dean Huijsen has completed a £50million move to Real Madrid from Bournemouth.
A statement read: "AFC Bournemouth can confirm that defender Dean Huijsen will join Real Madrid following the conclusion of the 2024/25 season, with the Spanish side having activated a £50 million release clause.
"The centre-back, who joined the Cherries from Juventus last summer, has been instrumental in the club’s record-breaking campaign, which has seen Andoni Iraola’s side already break their highest points tally in the Premier League.
"Huijsen has made 30 appearances in the top flight this season, scoring goals against Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Arsenal.
"The 20-year-old also earned his first caps for the Spanish national team in March, following a string of impressive performances for the Cherries.
"Everyone at AFC Bournemouth is looking forward to working with Dean for the remaining two games of the Premier League season, before he embarks on the next step of his career."
Team news ahead of Newcastle clash
The headline news from the Gunners camp is that Kai Havertz could return for the first time since the beginning of February.
Declan Rice, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli and Jurrien Timber have trained all week and are likely to feature.
Credit: REUTERS Havertz could return for Gunners
The German forward returned to training this week and could be a part of the matchday squad tomorrow against Newcastle.
Havertz has been out with a hamstring injury, which required surgery, for four months.
Speaking whether he will feature against the Toon, Arteta said: "We're going to decide that tomorrow. He's done certain parts of the sessions in the last two days and looks in great shape, but I think it's more of a shout for all the medical staff, the doctor especially to give the clearance and then how Kai actually feels to contribute if he's required.
“It’s unbelievable, his work rate and the work that he's done. A lot of credit to the medical staff for the work that they've done throughout the last few months because between them they've been pushing each other.
“We know how important Kai is for us, and the fact that he looks in great shape, I think he's improved a lot of the metrics that are very important for a striker to give himself the best chance. You see the transformation in him, which has been really impressive.”
How Arsenal could line-up for next season
The Gunners are expected to have a busy summer as Mikel Arteta looks to add more firepower to his squad.
A striker looks to be the Spaniard's point of focus for the window, with Viktor Gyokeres said to be the club's preferred No9.
The Sporting hitman is available for a cut price of £60million, which has attracted interest from many of Europe's elite.
Nico Williams is another of Arteta's top targets, with the 21-year-old winger having a £50m release clause, but he does have hefty wage demands.
The Athletic Bilbao youngster would likely come in and replace Gabriel Martinelli on the left flank.
Further down the pitch, Arsenal are set to beat Real Madrid to Spanish midfielder Martin Zubimendi.
The Gunners are ready to make the Euro 2024 winner their first signing of the summer as they look to trigger his £50.75m release clause.
Lookman interest
Ademola Lookman has admirers at the Emirates after a few stellar years at Atalanta.
But there are some hesitations over any move for him.
The 27-year-old winger’s age has some at Arsenal concerned over whether he has hit his ceiling, and if that could hinder any future sell-on plans.
Lookman – valued at around £50m – also appears to be happy again in Italy following Atalanta’s qualification for the Champions League next season, currently third in Serie A.
Will Gunners Go for Real star?
Arsenal are rated as potential bidders for Real Madrid winger Rodrygo.
The Brazilian, 24, is reportedly unhappy at losing his regular starting place.
Spanish outlet say Rodrygo is keen to move on as he feels “displaced” by all the attention on Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe,
Nonetheless, he has still notched six goals and three assists in 30 LaLiga appearances this season.
Credit: Getty Gunners 'monitor Santos'
Brazilian Andrey Santos could be a Gunners' target this summer.
The Chelsea midfielder has impressed on loan for Strasbourg in Ligue 1.
Strasbourg left-back Diego Moreira declared Santos as “the best player in the world” after their win over Toulouse in March.
Football Transfers claim the Gunners are ready to swoop for Santos, 20, with PSG already interested.
Gunners go for Gordon
Anthony Gordon is reportedly a summer target for Arsenal.
The Gunners are set to miss out on Alexander Isak, with Newcastle unwilling to sell their star striker.
But according to Football Insider, the Gunners are showing interest in Isak’s teammate Gordon.
England winger Gordon has 11 goal contributions across 32 Premier League games this season.
'Sometimes luck, sometimes a thoughtful decision'
Mikel Arteta has tried to explain why he's often brought in players with Premier League experience - with spectacular results at times.
The Emirates chief has signed men like David Raya, Kai Havertz and Mikel Merino - not all with encouraging Prem backgrounds.
Arteta said: “Sometimes it has been a thoughtful decision and sometimes it has been an opportunity.
“Sometimes it has just been luck. But there’s an element of understanding the league that brings the adaptation time lower and the risk lower.”
Arteta reluctant to say he has regrets
Questioned on whether he has any regrets about how this season has gone, Gunners' boss Mikel Arteta said: “I wouldn’t use that word.
" I can guarantee you, I give you my word, that we have all tried our very best.
“Do we want a different outcome? Especially how close we've come again? The answer is yes, but that doesn't undermine a lot of incredible things that this team has done.
“Again, in the context that we're there, in the opposition that we play, with the circumstances that we have, it's impossible to undermine.
“So, be the best of the rest and feel that pain to be better, and then we will get better at the small margins that can define winning big trophies or not.”
Arsenal vs PSG for Ordonez?
Arsenal have reportedly reached a verbal agreement with Club Brugge over centre back Joel Ordonez.
The 21-year-old caught the eye during the Belgians’ run to the Champions League knockout stage.
But according to Inside Futbol, PSG are ready to hijack a move for the in-demand Ecuadorian.
Mikel explains Havertz transformation
Asked to reveal fit-again Kai Havertz's gym metrics, Mikel Arteta said: “All of them.
"Power, acceleration, muscle mass, the way that he has increased certain capacities in his body, his agility.
“The last three years in his career have been so condensed that he hasn’t had time to do that and this has been a window and he really wanted to use it.
“The staff explained the opportunity with his physique to go to a different level and the things that he can improve. It can help him mentally as well as being more effective as a player.
“He got on board with that, he worked hard, you can see his presence and he destroyed all the metrics that we had in the gym for the last ten years.
“I was talking to the medical staff the other day. For someone that is not in the team to have that mindset, the only thing he has done is raise the standards in the building.
“The other ones in the building who are injured are looking at him and thinking: ‘I’m going to look bad if I don’t do the same’, so that’s part of the culture.”
Record-breaking Kai eyes return
Mikel Arteta is considering unleashing a “transformed” Kai Havertz on Newcastle on Sunday - after the German broke numerous Arsenal records in rehab.
Havertz been out since February following an operation on a torn hamstring suffered during the Gunners’ mid-season warm-weather camp in Dubai, and was initially ruled out for the rest of the season.
Credit: Reuters But Havertz has stunned Arsenal’s medical team with his progress in the gym, completely changing his body shape in the process, and has defied the odds to be in contention to face the Toon.
On whether Havertz could make his comeback against Eddie Howe’s high-flying side – who could leapfrog Arsenal into second with a victory – Arteta said: “He looks in great shape.
“It is unbelievable. His work rate… a lot of credit to the medical staff for the work that they've done throughout the last few months. They've been pushing each other.
“We know how important Kai is for us. He's improved a lot of the metrics that are very important for a striker to give himself the best chance.
“And you see the transformation on him, which has been really impressive.”
Mikel has NEVER disagreed with Berta's targets
Mikel Arteta has only been working with the club’s new sporting director Andrea Berta for a few weeks following Edu’s resignation back in November - but insists they are aligned over Arsenal's need.
Berta is considered to be a game-changer by the Arsenal hierarchy, someone who arrives with his own recruitment ideas and is said to be “shaking things up”.
On whether he could disagree with Berta over certain targets, Arteta said: “It didn’t happen in five and a half years with Edu, and I guarantee you that hasn’t happened with Andrea.
“And if so, it's because I will ask that many questions and we will do so much work that it will be so evident that this is what we don't have to do. It's not going to fit.
“We have learned a lot. Some [transfers] that have worked really well and others not. We are all human beings and fortunately, nobody has got a crystal ball here.”
Arteta ready to break budget for striker
Mikel Arteta has hinted Arsenal are ready to break the bank for the right striker this summer – comparing this transfer window to overspending on a lavish wedding, writes JORDAN DAVIES.
The Gunners need an elite No.9, and have made Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres and Red Bull Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko their top targets.
Newcastle's Alexander Isak is the dream targetCredit: Getty Both Gyokeres, 26, and Sesko, 21, could cost between £60m and £70m, while Isak is valued as high as £150m by the Toon.
Arsenal have proven in the past they are prepared to spend big – splashing £105m on midfielder Declan Rice in July 2023 – and could splash up to £200m in this window.
Arteta said: “The budget is like when you have your wedding, you plan your wedding with your wife and you give her a budget.
“It’s never less, it's always more. When you build a house, it's always more. Normally this happens. You prepare for different scenarios.
“Sometimes we want a player and suddenly we have an injury or that player gets injured. There are so many variables that can happen but there is a budget.
“There is always an idea of what we can do, what we can improve, what the priorities are going to be and then let's see if we can do it.”
'Arsenal & United target' Gyokeres likened to Suarez
Viktor Gyokeres has been called a "beast, an animal" and compared to Liverpool legend Luis Suarez - by a Sporting Lisbon team-mate.
Arsenal are favourites to finally sign Gyokeres, although Manchester United and Chelsea have also been mentioned
Uruguay defender Maxi Araujo told Portuguese sports daily : "He’s surprised me a lot since the day I arrived.
“He’s like that in training, he’s a competitive animal. He can score three goals and want to score the fourth.
“He reminds me a lot of Luis Suarez. He only knows how to score goals, always scoring goals and running after every ball."
Araujo added: “When the team needs something, he pulls a rabbit out of the hat, a corner, a foul. Sometimes when the team isn’t doing so well, he’s very important in that minute.”
'Sane offered to Gunners'
Arsenal have reportedly been offered Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sane.
The former Manchester City star, 29, has under a month left on his contract.
And journalist claims an opportunity has now been handed for the Gunners to move in for the Germany ace
It's reckoned Sane is in talks with Bundesliga champions Bayern over a new contract.
But there is said to be a "large gap" between the two parties.
Gunners 'agree Gyokeres contract'
Claims are emerging tonight that Arsenal have reached an agreement with Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres.
CaughtOffside say the Gunners have made an arrangement with the Swede for a five-year contract worth about £9 million a year.
That's around £175,000 a week for one of Europe's most-wanted goalscorers.
But even if CaughtOffside are correct, there's a long way to go before any transfer would take place.
Gunners linked to Real Madrid star
Arsenal are rated as potential bidders for Real Madrid winger Rodrygo.
The Brazilian, 24, is reportedly unhappy at losing his regular starting place.
Credit: Getty Spanish outlet say Rodrygo is keen to move on as he feels "displaced" by all the attention on Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe,
Nonetheless, he has still notched six goals and three assists in 30 LaLiga appearances this season.
Arsenal, Chelsea and Toon eye to Gittens
Borussia Dortmund attacker Jamie Gittens could be hunted by Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle this summer.
The Englishman, 20, has made 17 Dortmund goal contributions this season.
The Gunners have lacked quality back-up out wide for main wingers Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.
And Newcastle are reportedly keen to fin more support for Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon
And of course Isak is rated a dream target for clubs like Arsenal.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have been tipped to chase at least one new widemen.
Credit: Getty Lew can't be serious
Arsenal fans are not happy that William Saliba beat Myles Lewis-Skelly to a PFA Young Player of the Year nomination.
One claimed: “It should be Under-21 players only.”
Another added: “They really need to rethink the ‘Young’ Player of the Season. Because not having Lewis-Skelly but having 24-year-old Saliba makes no sense.”
And a third wrote: “They need a Rookie of the Year award to go along side this for newcomers/younger players.”
'Liverpool hope to beat Gunners to Nkunku'
Liverpool and Arsenal will reportedly lead the race for Chelsea frontman Christopher Nkunku.
Manchester United and Bayern Munich were said to have shown interest in the Frenchman during the January transfer window.
And with the 27-year-old still failing to land regular starts at Stamford Bridge, there could be a big fight for his services in the summer.
The ex-RB Leipzig hero has also ben linked with a return to his first club Paris Saint-Germain.
But reckon Liverpool could make the first serious move by getting in ahead of the Gunners with talks for Nkunku.
Arsenal 'keen on Brighton frontman'
Brighton striker Joao Pedro could be a surprise Arsenal target.
The Brazilian , 23, has won three caps since switching to the Seagulls from Watford in May 2023.
The Telegraph's Sam Dean believes the Gunners are "among his admirers".
But TBR Football suggest Brighton would demand £100million for the former Fluminense star.
However, despite that valuation, if Prem giants do come in for Pedro they might expect him to be cheaper than fellow hitman Viktor Gyokeres and
Credit: PA