Arsenal transfer news LIVE: £90m Declan Rice offer imminent, Elye Wahi bid, Marco Asensio blow, William Saliba contract update
Keep up to date with all the latest transfer news, gossip and rumours from Arsenal in talkSPORT's live blog.
The summer window is almost open and Mikel Arteta is out to boost his squad to give them the best chance of mounting another title charge next season.
The Gunners came close to a first Premier League title in 19 years having finished five points behind champions Manchester City.
With City's dominance unlikely to waver and the clubs who finished below them set to get stronger, Arsenal are now set for huge activity both in and out of the Emirates to maintain their status alongside the elite.
Top stories
- Arsenal target and Chelsea star Mason Mount agrees personal terms with Manchester United
- Arsenal still favourites for Declan Rice despite Bayern Munich entering race
- Paris Saint-Germain have been linked with a shock swoop for Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard
- Granit Xhaka has appeared to confirm that he's leaving Arsenal with cryptic goodbye
- Mikel Arteta hints that further contract extensions could be on the way after Bukayo Saka's new deal
Follow our live blog below for all the latest news from Arsenal…
That’s all for our Arsenal transfer blog this evening!
Make sure to head back tomorrow for all the latest news and rumours surrounding the Gunners!
Check out talkSPORT.com for the latest on Declan Rice’s future…
William Saliba and his representatives aren’t trying to force a move away from the club, according to 90min.
The Frenchman is locked in talks with Arsenal to try and thrash out a new deal.
The player turned down the London giant’s latest offer, but despite interest from Paris Saint-Germain, he wants to remain at the Emirates and talks are continuing.
However, his agents want a contract that reflect his standing as one of the best young centre-backs in the world.
Darren Bent has revealed that he wouldn’t want to see Lionel Messi in the Premier League and thinks Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli would get into Arsenal’s starting XI ahead of him.
The footballing icon is set to depart Paris Saint-Germain this summer when his contract expires and has been linked with a move to the Premier League.
However, given he is now coming to the end of his career, Bent wouldn’t want to see the Argentine in the top-flight or at Arsenal because he thinks people would expect too much.
Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: “Do I want to see Messi in the Premier League? Do you know what, I wouldn’t now.
“He is the greatest player that has ever lived, but I feel like people would try to pick too many faults in him – like what’s happened in France.
“To watch him in the Premier League would be incredible, but I just feel people wouldn’t appreciate him properly.”
Asked if he would get into Arsenal’s starting XI, Bent said: “Maybe up top instead of [Gabriel] Jesus.
“But I’d keep Saka and Martinelli on the wings [over Messi], because we play a different brand of football.
“I’d have Messi in the squad, just to watch him.”
Declan Rice is set to reject a move to Bayern Munich in favour of a Premier League transfer this summer.
The Daily Mail report the West Ham captain sees his future in England and Bayern Munich stand no chance of recruiting the England star.
And Arsenal have emerged as the front-runners as the race to sign Rice intensifies.
The Hammers hope to raise more than £100million and start a bidding war, while the Gunners’ are preparing to submit an opening offer of £90m.
Arsenal’s move to sign Moises Caicedo this summer has received a boost.
The Gunners saw two offers for the Ecuadorian rebuffed in January, but according to Football Transfers, the personal terms that the club and player agreed earlier this year still stand and nothing needs to be negotiated on that side.
The problem, as it was in the winter transfer window, is negotiating a fee.
The Seagulls value Caicedo at around £75million and it remains to be seen if Arsenal are willing to offer that much or continue in their efforts to sign Declan Rice.
Arsenal are entering the race for Santos wonderkid Marcos Leonardo.
The Mail Online are reporting that the Gunners, as well as Manchester United, Newcastle and West Ham have all been tracking the 20-year-old Brazilian for the past year.
The report adds that Santos – who rebuffed bids from the Hammers to sign him in January – are expecting Premier League clubs to return with fresh attempts in the coming days.
Arsenal are reportedly among a host of teams interested in signing Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
According to Corriere dello Sport, the Gunners are rivalling Juventus, AC Milan, and Newcastle as potential suitors for the Serbian this summer.
The 28-year-old is expected to be available for around £35million with his contract at Lazio set to expire at the end of next season.
Arsenal have been handed a blow in the race to sign Joao Cancelo!
German reporter Maximilian Koch has claimed that Cancelo does not want to play in England anymore for either Manchester City nor Arsenal.
Cancelo is contracted at City until 2027 but was deemed surplus to requirements by Pep Guardiola after being shipped out on loan to Bayern Munich in January.
Mikel Arteta is looking to strengthen at full-back this summer and previously worked with the Portuguese defender during his time at the Etihad.
Arsenal have missed out on signing Marco Asensio.
The Gunners were among the leading clubs vying for the Spaniard’s signature as he becomes a free transfer following his exit from Real Madrid this summer.
But the Athletic report that the 27-year-old has decided to join Paris Saint-Germain on a long-term deal amid competition from Arsenal and Aston Villa.
Arsenal hero Perry Groves has unsurprisingly claimed that Declan Rice should pick a move the Gunners over Bayern Munich.
Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: “Arsenal would suit him because of the way and style Arteta has got them playing at the moment.
“If he went to Bayern Munich, I’d totally understand it because they are a massive club and they’ve won 11 Bundesliga on the trot.”
Arsenal cult hero Andrey Arshavin has heaped praise on former Gunners target Malcom.
He told Sport24: “He is the best both in terms of his play and his statistics. Who is better than him? He deservedly should become the Player of the Year.
“Of course, everyone at the club is happy with the Brazilians we have. There is a desire to keep them. But everyone understands the situation, which can happen in different ways; maybe no one leaves, maybe one, two or three will leave.
“Realising this, the club is looking for replacements.”
Napoli have entered the race to sign Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun.
The Mirror claim the Serie A champions are ready to rival AC Milan for Balogun as they draw up a list of potential replacements for their in-demand striker Victor Osimhen.
The report adds that Arsenal hope to fetch as much as £30million for the 21-year-old following his goalscoring exploits in Ligue 1 this season.
The American fits Milan’s youth model but Napoli are also watching developments and are making their interest known.
Arsenal are said to be in pole position to sign Montpellier wonderkid Elye Wahi.
Foot Mercato report that the Gunners are leading the race for his signature ahead of rivals Tottenham and Monaco.
The 20-year-old became the joint-youngest player in Ligue 1 history to hit 10 goals in a season last term with Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele.
Michail Antonio has claimed that Emiliano Martinez has made an upwards move since leaving Arsenal for Aston Villa.
The West Ham star told Filthy Fellas podcast: “He’s been everywhere but now he’s won the World Cup, it’s crazy.
“Technically, it was an upwards move [from Arsenal to Aston Villa].
“He’s not talking an upwards move as in Aston Villa’s a bigger club than Arsenal.
“It’s an upwards move in terms of he’s going to play first-team football. So, he’s going there to play whereas at Arsenal he was always in and out of the team.”
Former Arsenal player Lucas Torreira paid a touching tribute to his late mother.
The midfielder was celebrating Galatasaray’s Super Lig title triumph this week following a 4-1 win over Ankaragucu on Tuesday.
And during the celebrations, Torreira (below left) was wearing a t-shirt with a picture of himself kissing his late mother Viviana on the cheek.
Arsenal’s top target Declan Rice is still keeping his options open amid interest from Bayern Munich.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano said on his Here We Go podcast: “It’s true that there is also Bayern [Munich] interest, but at the moment it’s not that advanced, so Arsenal still feel they are the favourites to sign Declan Rice.
“But again, this is not something guaranteed yet. From what I understand, we had some reports in England the last two, three days that Rice already made it clear that he only wants to join Arsenal. I’m told this is not clear yet.
“I was speaking to some sources and they told me be careful because Declan Rice is keeping all the options open. Of course, Arsenal is a concrete option but this is not 100 per cent guaranteed yet.
“So I think this is still an open race. They want more than £100million for Rice so this going to be a big fight, but for sure Arsenal are in the race.”
Arsenal’s chances of signing Manchester City star Ilkay Gundogan have been squashed.
Tim Sherwood told the No Tippy Tappy Football Podcast: “I think if Barcelona come [in] or Real Madrid I think he’s got to jump and take that opportunity as he’s done it all here.
“Where’s he going to go? I can’t see him playing for another Premier League side.
“I know Mikel Arteta wants to take him, he knows the player inside-out, he’ll fit into anyone’s team.
“Man City will be all right without him, they’re not worried about [Ilkay] Gundogan, I love him, I think he’s brilliant.”
Declan Rice is reportedly still leading towards joining Arsenal over Bayern Munich.
The Times are reporting that Thomas Tuchel told the West Ham captain personally that he sees him as the perfect holding midfielder for his Bayern Munich team.
And despite the Bundesliga giants being prepared to spent a club record fee on Rice, the prospect of staying in London and not having to relocate his young family remains a bigger priority.
The report adds that Arteta has been determined to sign Rice, who is still leaning towards Arsenal.
Martin Odegaard is not for sale this summer!
Paris Saint-Germain have been linked with a swoop for the Arsenal captain Odegaard, but the club are instead planning on fresh contract talks to secure his long-term future.
The Evening Standard claim Odegaard is so settled in London that he is spending the first part of his summer break there before returning to Norway to see his family.
Arsenal midfielder Frida Maanum has signed a new deal with the club.
“It feels great – I love Arsenal and I’m looking forward to continuing my time here,” said Maanum.
“This is a place where I can develop and learn from the players around me and take steps both on and off the pitch. We’ve had some really special moments this season and the connection with our supporters has been fantastic, so I can’t wait to see what we can achieve together.”
Arsenal midfielder Frida Maanum has signed a new deal with the club.
“It feels great – I love Arsenal and I’m looking forward to continuing my time here,” said Maanum.
“This is a place where I can develop and learn from the players around me and take steps both on and off the pitch. We’ve had some really special moments this season and the connection with our supporters has been fantastic, so I can’t wait to see what we can achieve together.”
Romelu Lukaku would score more goals leading Arsenal’s line than Gabriel Jesus.
When asked by talkSPORT’s Andy Goldstein whether he would take Lukaku at Arsenal, Bent said on Drive: “Yes. Without a doubt.”
Pressed whether that would mean offloading Jesus, Bent stated: “No, I’m not getting rid of anyone, but I’d have him.”
Questioned whether he would start Lukaku over the Brazilian, the former Sunderland star remarked: “Do you know what? He would get us more goals than Gabriel Jesus.
“What Gabriel Jesus did at Arsenal [this season] was brilliant, but there were times he would frustrate me because he wasn’t in the box enough.
“There were times the ball would flash across the box and no one was in there – he’s on the edge of the box. But Lukaku, I know he’s in there.”
Arsenal has been warned about their plans to sign Brighton star Moises Caicedo this summer.
Talking about the midfielder, Leeds manager Allardyce told the No Tippy Tappy Football Podcast: “Did Caicedo not play right-back for Brighton in the last few games? Unbelievable.
Sherwood then added: “They’ve got to be very careful with that one because [Yves] Bissouma was talked about in the same vein and he went to Tottenham and he’s hardly played.”
Arsenal will keep Emile Smith Rowe this summer despite his injury-hit season, The Athletic has reported.
The 22-year-old failed to start a Premier League game for the Gunners this term.
He had to undergo groin surgery over the World Cup break which limited his game time.
Smith Rowe has been linked with a move but Arsenal are reportedly not looking to let him go.
The youngster is set to star for England’s Under-21 at this summer’s European Championships and will hope to rejuvenate his career heading into the new season.
First up this morning, Arsenal target Mason Mount looks set to join Manchester United after the Chelsea star agreed personal terms with the club, talkSPORT understands.
Arsenal are also interested in the 24-year-old England international but he now looks all set on a move to Old Trafford.
United are yet to make a formal offer to sign Mount from Chelsea who value him at £80million.
The Blues are open to selling the midfielder with his contract to expire in 2024 and Arsenal are still keen to try and rival United for his signature.
