Arsenal transfer news LIVE: £100m Rice interest ramped up as future confirmed, Wahi eyes switch, shock Havertz interest
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 to ramp up Declan Rice transfer pursuit after West Ham win Europa Conference League
- Arsenal close to double contract breakthrough
- 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
Follow our live blog below for all the latest news from Arsenal…
Hello and welcome back to talkSPORT’s Arsenal live blog.
Our top story this morning is that Elye Wahi wants to join Arsenal this summer, according to Montpellier president Laurent Nicollin.
On the forward following Olivier Giroud’s path from Montpellier to Arsenal, he said, per Get French Football News: “We know that he likes Arsenal a lot.”
Wahi notched 17 goals and six assists in 32 Ligue 1 matches last season but Nicollin admitted “four or five big clubs” were also in discussions with his agents.
Pervis Estupinan has admitted he is worried his Brighton team-mate Moises Caicedo will leave amid interest from Arsenal.
As quoted by ESPN, he said: “I think that having a player of Moi’s category, many teams would like him.
“We all fear that he will leave us . As I have always talked to him, if he stays I will be very happy to play next to him, to continue enjoying his football.”
Jack Wilshere has claimed Declan Rice could become captain at Arsenal.
Wilshere told AFTV: “I saw his [post Europa Conference League] interview, I think he made it clear that he knows there’s speculation and everyone knows that Arsenal are interested.
“Listen, what Dec’s done for a young player, for his club West Ham, for England, to lift a trophy. But also he’s their main man, to have that on your shoulders at 23, 24 is special.
“So if anyone gets him, I hope it is Arsenal because I think he will be sensational for the next eight to 10 years and he eventually could be an Arsenal captain. So I hope he does come but it’s down to him.”
Troy Deeney claims he almost joined Arsenal in 2020 but the move fell through after he refused to apologise for once claiming the club’s players lacked ‘cojones’.
Speaking on the Filthy Fellas podcast, Deeney revealed: “You know I was close to signing [for Arsenal]. The year I got relegated. We lost at Arsenal, 3-2, me and Welbz [Danny Welbeck] scored, we could have probably beaten you, it was that Covid year, behind-closed-doors.
“We [Watford] got relegated on that day, this is at Arsenal, and everyone was like, “Ahhh cajones!” and whatever, shut your mouth man.”
He continued: “Then, back in training, I’m just on the bike because my knee isn’t right, and someone from Arsenal calls, like, “Yo, would you go Arsenal? But what you have to do, you have to apologise for that comment.” I said I wasn’t going to apologise for that.”
USMNT striker Ricardo Pepi has welcomed Arsenal starlet Folarin Balogun to the squad.
On playing against Balogun in training, the forward told FOX Sports: “It’s going to make me better, I’m going to make him better. He’s a good guy and on the pitch, we’re a team.”
He added: “We’re always trying to compete against each other. A lot of players here have competition in their own spots. Whether we play with one striker or two, it’s all up to the coach.”
Arsenal have entered the race to sign Chelsea star Kai Havertz, according to reports.The German forward only has two years remaining on his contract and has been linked with a move to Real Madrid as part of the Stamford Bridge clearout this summer.Arsenal are also monitoring his situation, according to The Telegraph, but potential suitors are said to have been put off by Chelsea’s £70million asking price.The report adds the Gunners are unlikely to be willing to pay more than £50m for Havertz.
Martin Odegaard has been officially crowned as Arsenal’s player of the season!
The Norwegian finished ahead of Bukayo Saka in second and third placed Gabriel Martinelli to scoop the prestigious honour.
Arsenal captain Odegaard scored 15 goals and registered seven assists last term.
Arsenal target Xavi Simons has responded to the continued speculation over his future.
The Dutchman starred in his first season at PSV Eindhoven following his Paris Saint-Germain exit but PSG are said to have an option to bring him back for a cut-price figure this summer.
Simons has since responded to reporters while on internaitonal duty: “It is a clause between me and PSV. Not between me and Paris Saint-Germain.
“It’s a clause that, if I wanted to go to PSG, I could leave for a certain amount at the end of the season. To be honest, it’s not in my head to leave. I’m settled here, I feel good here.
“You can also see that on the field I think. I came here on a free transfer, so I have no obligations to anyone. I’m the one who has to make the choice.”
Arsenal flop Nicolas Pepe is officially returning to the club, Nice have confirmed.
The Gunners record signing spent the season on loan at the Ligue 1 outfit and managed six goals and zero assists in 19 matches.
The Ivorian is now one of four players Nice have confirmed have left the club, with Pepe and Joe Bryan returning to Arsenal and Fulham respectively following their loans.
Ross Barkley has been released while Andy Delort has completed a permanent move to Nantes.
Arsenal have reportedly been leapfrogged in their hunt for Real Valladolid starlet Ivan Fresneda.
The Gunners have had the Spanish defender on their wishlist for a while having unsuccessfully tried to bring him to the Emirates in January.
Mikel Arteta is said to have returned for his young compatriot this summer but he could be gazumped by Borussia Dortmund.
German outlet Bild claim that the Bundesliga giants are willing to pay up to £17million and could announce the signing “soon”.
Former Arsenal star Mathieu Debuchy has retired from professional football.
The Frenchman, who has spent the last two years with Ligue 2 side Valenciennes, said: “The end of a dream but the beginning of a new life.
“Thank you to all the people from near and far who have contributed to my development in the different clubs where I have been.”
Former Arsenal and Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has signed for ice hockey side Oxford City Stars.He told the Stars website: “I am really excited for a new chapter with Oxford City Stars, I’ve heard good things about the club and I’m looking forward to playing again with some of my ex-teammates.“It’s clear Oxford have big ambitions and I hope I can help them with those.“Personally I’m looking forward to building on the experience with Chelmsford Chieftains in NIHL1 last season and helping the team to reach new heights this coming season.”
Arsenal are expected to cash in on two stars to fund their move for Declan Rice.
Kieran Tierney and Folarin Balogun have been tipped to leave the Gunners this summer as the club look to raise money for Rice who is valued at around £100m by West Ham.
Tierney has struggled to gain a consistent place in Mikel Arteta’s starting line-up while Balogun is keen to find some more first-team football after excelling on loan on France last season.
Aston Villa are interested in signing Tierney this summer, according to the Telegraph, while The Athletic claim that AC Milan and Inter are among many teams looking at Balogun.
With interest in Declan Rice ramped up and other big names linked, Arsenal may push for the Premier League title again next season.
So, talkSPORT.com has taken a look at how the Gunners could line-up to try and challenge Manchester City once again.
Arsenal are yet to make a bid for Galatasaray right back Sacha Boey.
The Gunners have been linked heavily with Boey ahead of the transfer window, however, they have not made an approach for the defender yet.
Galatasary director Cenk Ergun told Radyospor: “There are currently no official offers for Sacha Boey.”
The 22-year-old is reported to cost €20m and a bid may be made by Mikel Arteta and co if they are unsuccessful in attempts to sign Joao Cancelo and Ivan Fresneda.
Arsenal target Ivan Fresneda is in talks with Borussia Dortmund.
The Gunners have been linked to Fresneda for months, with talkSPORT first reporting interest in January.
And a move for the Spanish youngster looked possible this summer, however, reports now claim that Dortmund are favourites for his signature.
The right back is now in talks with the German side who will have plenty of money to spend with Jude Bellingham’s exit imminent, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Reports in Portugal claim that Arsenal are eyeing a move for Sporting Lisbon’s Pedro Goncalves.
Goncalves managed 35 goal contributions in all competitions last season, attracting interest from clubs all over Europe.
One of those goals came from the halfway line against the Gunners as the Portuguese side knocked them out of the Europa League.
The midfielder is now a target for Mikel Arteta who may look to activate his £69m release clause this summer, according to O Jogo.
Moises Caicedo remains a target for Arsenal despite imminent Declan Rice offer.
talkSPORT’s Alex Crook revealed that the Gunners are set to ramp up their interest in Rice after he played what could have been his final West Ham game last night.
He said: “I expect Arsenal now to come in with a bid.”
However, despite the Rice deal seemingly getting closer, Mikel Atrteta remains keen on signing Brighton’s Caicedo to bolster his midfield, according to the Times.
Finances could be an issue though as the Seagulls are asking for £80m for their midfielder, which looks likely to become an issue with Rice’s price set at over £100m.
Arsenal target Sofyan Amrabat wants to play in Spain, according to his brother.
Amrabat, who the Gunners have been linked with, featured in last night’s Europa Conference League final which saw West Ham lift the title.
And after the game, questions about the midfielder’s Fiorentina future were instantly asked, with his brother Nordin Amrabat hinting at his plans.
He said: “He wants to go to the top and his desire is to play in Spain. At Barcelona, he is high on the list but you know Barça’s financial situation.
“There are more clubs interested in Sofyan.”
Joao Cancelo is in talks with Arsenal over a possible move this summer.
That is according to Sky Sports, who report that the Gunners have began early verbal negotiations with Cancelo and Manchester City.
The right back spent the second half of last season on loan at German champions Bayern Munich and is now set to return to Man City this pre-season.
However, Cancelo’s future is still uncertain and Arsenal are aiming to swoop in to secure a deal as Mikel Arteta eyes a reunion with Portugal international.
Arsenal are set to have competition from Chelsea and Newcastle for Declan Rice.
After David Sullivan confirmed on talkSPORT that Rice will be leaving West Ham this summer, teams are looking to swoop in for his signature.
Arsenal are considered the favourites to sign the England international but reports now claim that Chelsea and Newcastle will also be making a move.
The Northern Echo claim that Newcastle are keen to hold talks with Rice and West Ham as manager Eddie Howe targets a centre midfielder.
As for Chelsea, they are pushing for Brighton’s Moises Caicedo but are yet to rule out a simultaneous move for Rice, according to 90min.
If you missed the huge news earlier today, Declan Rice will be leaving West Ham.
West Ham owner David Sullivan confirmed Arsenal target Rice’s future live on talkSPORT this morning…
Arsenal are willing to listen to offers for Jorginho this summer.
The Italian joined the Gunners from Chelsea in January to help Mikel Arteta’s side in their push for the Premier League title.
However, this move now looks to be short-lived with 90min reporting that the club will not stand in the way of the midfielder if an oppportunity to leave comes along.
Lazio are said to be interested, with Jorginho’s former manager Maurizio Sarri looking to reunite with the 32-year-old this summer.
Fellow Serie A sides Napoli and AC Milan are both also interested.
Arsenal have confirmed that forward Caitlin Foord has signed a new contract with the Women’s Super League club.
The 28-year-old joined the Gunners from US side Portland Thorns in 2020 and has since made 94 appearances for the club.
Foord played a big part for Arsenal this season, scoring 11 goals and providing nine assists across 33 appearances.
“I couldn’t be happier to extend my stay here at Arsenal,” she said.
“I feel like I’m growing and improving being here in this environment so I don’t want to leave that.
“I want to continue to get better and to help the team – I enjoy going out and training every day and wanting to be better and being surrounded by world class players. This feels like the right place – the place I want to be.”
Arsenal will reportedly have to pay up to £40million for Leicester star James Maddison.
Maddison is being linked with several clubs following the Foxes’ relegation to the Championship with Arsenal, Newcastle and Tottenham said to be keen.
The Athletic report Leicester will demand a top price for the England international as they look to rebuild their squad.
