Arsenal interested in transfer deal for young winger who is touted ‘new Paulo Dybala’

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03-06-2020

Arsenal are among a host of clubs keeping an eye on promising Uruguayan winger Facundo Pellistri, as per reports in Express.

The 18-year-old winger who is capable of playing on either flank and currently plays for Uruguayan club Atletico Penarol where he has burst on to the scene this season. This is shown by the fact that he has played 23 games in his first year of senior football.

The report states that the North London club have been monitoring the youngster who has been labelled as the ‘new Paulo Dybala’ along with a host of other clubs including Juventus, Atletico Madrid and their city rivals Real Madrid are interested in the winger.

Express further claim that one of the reasons that the North Londoners want to sign him is to add to their young core that consists of players such as Matteo Guendouzi and Gabriel Martinelli. Pellistri would fall under the same category and that is something that appeals to Gunners manager Mikel Arteta.

Pellistri reportedly has a £12m release clause and is eligible for an EU passport as he has Spanish ancestry which would remove any probable work permit issues. They face stiff competition to get him and that includes their Premier League rivals Manchester City and Newcastle United.

Speaking about the transfer window, Arteta spoke about the challenges that clubs will face now and how that will change the approach they have in mind. He told Sky Sports(via Express):

“We have to react daily. We don’t know what the financial situation is going to be, we don’t know the rules, the timing, the window. There are so many things we cannot control at the moment.”

A player like Pellistri is highly thought of in his homeland and it would be quite a coup for Arsenal to get a player who has been likened to Paulo Dybala. If the winger is able to replicate the success of Guendouzi and Martinelli it would prove to be a great signing.

The impact of the Coronavirus on the transfer market must also be taken into account. That could end up playing a role in whether the Gunners go ahead with a move for the talented youngster. To get Pellistri, Arsenal will have to beat some big clubs so we will have to wait and see how much Arteta wants his man.

David Luiz’s agent provides latest update on Arsenal contract situation

By

Nithyanand

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02-06-2020

David Luiz has a very high chance of staying at Arsenal beyond this summer, according to his agent Kia Joorabchian(via Sky Sports).

The 33-year-old who joined the Gunners last summer has gone on to become one of the team’s most important players. He has been a regular starter for both current manager Mikel Arteta and former boss Unai Emery.

The Brazilian signed a one-year contract with an option for a 12-month extension which the North London club didn’t pick up. With the defender’s contract set to expire in June of this year, there was a suggestion that he could leave.

However, David Luiz’s agent revealed that talks have been delayed due to the pandemic situation but there is a good chance that his client might stay at the North London club beyond the summer. As per Sky Sports, he said:

“He’s very happy at Arsenal,” Joorabchian said. “He has an extremely good relationship with both the coach and the sporting director. He has good relationships all throughout the club, right up to the owner. He respects everybody.

“Arsenal had an option, which expired. We also had a pandemic [coronavirus]. So the option expired in the middle of the pandemic. We are all very aware of that situation and we are all trying, very slowly, to get back to this ‘new normal’.

“David will sit down with Arsenal before the season begins, have his conversations and they will both decide if he will stay or not. That will come before the season starts. The chances are very high [of Luiz being at Arsenal next season].”

The defender has recently confirmed that he has held talks with his former club Benfica regarding a move back to Portugal. However, Joorabchian clarified that’s not an immediate plan. He added:

“What he said was, ‘if the opportunity arose in the future – before I retire – I could go back to Benfica and finish my career where I started it’. But he never mentioned about wanting to go back to Benfica now.”

Luiz has proven to be a valuable asset for the defense. He has been really good at bringing some calmness to the team with his excellent passing and experience having played many years at the highest level.

One factor that could be at play in influencing this deal is the age of the center back who is on the wrong side of 30. Once the season resumes, we will know more about what happens to the possible contract extension of Luiz. It is clear that Arteta trusts him so there is a good chance that he gets another season to show his worth.

Arsenal offer contract extension to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang amid PSG transfer interest

By

Nithyanand

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02-06-2020

Arsenal have offered their captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang a new deal with improved terms to ward off interest, as per reports in L’Equipe(via Daily Mail).

The 30-year-old has been one of the best players for the North London club ever since he made his move in January of 2018. He has proven to be a reliable goal scorer and has 61 goals to his name in just 97 games.

The forward’s performances were rewarded with the captaincy back in November. The striker has only one year left on his current deal and has not yet agreed to an extension.

This has led to interest from clubs such as PSG who want to take him off the hands of the North Londoners but according to L’Equipe, the Gabon international has now received a new contract offer from Arsenal as they try to avoid a protracted transfer saga.

It further claims that Champions League football could be a serious lure for the striker. The Emirates club are in a position where they might not make it back to the Champions League. PSG believe that a fee between £36m and £45m would be enough to convince Arsenal to let go of their captain.

The Gabonese forward is absolutely vital to whatever success Arsenal hope to achieve. Under new manager Mikel Arteta, he has been playing in an unfamiliar left-wing position but he is still able to chip in with goals. What further showcases his leadership skills is the fact he regularly helps out his full-back to maintain the defensive shape.

Whatever decision the Gunners take with regards to his contract, it is important to keep the best interests of the club in mind. Aubameyang is the type of player you need if you are serious about making it back into the Champions League.

Fans will be hoping that the captain pledges his future to the club and not look elsewhere. We should be getting more news about this once the season resumes and the onus will be on Aubameyang to help maintain Arsenal’s interest in the Premier League as well as the FA Cup.

Hector Bellerin will sign new long-term Arsenal deal but only on one condition

By

Nithyanand

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01-06-2020

Hector Bellerin will sign a new long-term contract only if the club is able to show improvements on the field, according to reports in ESPN.

The 25-year-old has been one of the first names on the team sheet ever since he made his breakthrough in the 2014/15 season. Despite suffering from injuries in recent seasons, he is still the first choice right-back for the club.

The Spanish defender has been linked with a move to Juventus and Inter Milan recently, but ESPN claims that Bellerin is not keen on a transfer move at the moment with three more left on his current deal.

It further claims that he believes in Mikel Arteta and his vision for the future but wants to see the results on the pitch before committing to a new long-term deal.

Arsenal are ninth in the Premier League table at the moment and there is a good chance that they might miss out on the Champions League once again.

Also, the squad will see a pay cut of 12.5 percent should the team not make it into a Champions League spot. And it was reported that Bellerin was one of the key members behind convincing the players to take this decision. This gives the team an extra incentive to turn things around.

The pace that Bellerin offers has been key in unlocking the attacking potential of the Arsenal right side. His ever-improving defensive awareness means that he is quite close to becoming the complete modern full-back.

With him only being 25, he still has a lot to offer to the Gunners so, it would not be a good move on the club’s behalf if he was to leave. His role in making the players take a wage cut also shows the leadership qualities that Bellerin has which is another reason why he should be spending his prime at the club.

Arteta has had a reasonably good start to his first-ever managerial job and the signs are encouraging. If the club can showcase more of this form, then the improvements will soon start happening on the pitch and that will hopefully convince Bellerin to commit to a new deal.

Alexandre Lacazette makes transfer decision on summer move

By

Nithyanand

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31-05-2020

Arsenal forward Alexandre Lacazette has reportedly made a decision on a proposed move to Italian giants Inter Milan, according to reports in L’Equipe via the Mirror.

The 29-year-old joined the club in the summer of 2017 in a then club-record deal and has gone on to score 45 goals and was even named as player of the season last year by the Arsenal fans.

This season he has 9 goals to his name as the majority of the goal-scoring has been done by his good friend and club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The Frenchman has been recently linked with an exit this summer.

The report in L’Equipe states that Alexandre Lacazette is not interested in joining Inter Milan. Antonio Conte is eager to sign the French forward as a possible replacement to Lautaro Martinez is on his way out to join Barcelona. The former Chelsea boss feels that the Arsenal forward would make a good foil for Romelu Lukaku.

It further states that Martinez would like to link up with his fellow countryman Lionel Messi and that is the main reason behind his desire to go to the Camp Nou. This has led to the Italian interest in Lacazette but the player would like to remain at the Emirates.

The Frenchman has also been linked with a move to Spain where Atletico Madrid are interested and were looking at him before he signed on for the North London club.

Lacazette has always been a dependable player though his goal-scoring record is not as good, he has come up with the goods on important occasions such as the Europa League knockout stages and in the Premier League as well.

A lot of the decision on the striker will depend on what happens to his compatriot. If Aubameyang was to leave North London, it would be quite surprising to see Lacazette leave as well.

The impact of the Coronavirus pandemic cannot be forgotten as that will have financial implications. And there is a possibility that the Gunners do not make it back to the Champions League and that will certainly impact how they approach the transfer window.

The Frenchman is still a player that can come up with an important goals so it will be interesting how the club plans to handle his future.

David Luiz confirms transfer talks with former club

By

Nithyanand

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31-05-2020

Arsenal defender David Luiz has revealed that he has held talks with Benfica president regarding a possible move, according to Portuguese publication Record.

The 33-year-old center back could be on his way out of the Emirates as his contract is about to expire next month. He signed a one-year contract with the North London club last summer with the option of extending it for 12 more months.

Recent reports in Sky Sports claimed that Arsenal are not too keen on extending his current deal. Now, the defender has mentioned that he has spoken to the President of his former club Benfica regarding a possible move.

Speaking to Portuguese publication Record, Luiz said:

“I have already spoken with Vieira. It will happen if the President permits it and fans want me back.

“To be able to wear that jersey again and enter the stadium is worth more than many trophies.”

The Brazilian center-back joined Arsenal last summer in a deal that was worth £8m and has gone on to become one of the most important members of the squad making 32 appearances so far. He has been trusted by both Unai Emery and Mikel Arteta which is a testament to his quality and experience.

Benfica were the club that brought the defender to Europe and he spent four years there before joining Chelsea, so he shares a special bond with them.

With the Premier League set to return next month, we could still see Luiz play a role for the Gunners. The board will have to sort out the contract situation of the center back but the indication is that he might be on his way out.

One of the major highlights of his play this season has been the calmness on the ball that he has displayed all season. This is especially crucial to the way Arteta likes to play. If there is one reason that might make the board not renew his deal, it is his age.

Being on the wrong side of 30, the Gunners might be looking at options that are younger and they already have made signing on that front in Pablo Mari and the incoming William Saliba. Luiz remains a good player but it is likely that he will get his wish to return to Benfica.

Arsenal have signed George Lewis after successful trail, former club claim

By

Nithyanand

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31-05-2020

Arsenal have reportedly done their first piece of transfer business this summer by signing Norwegian teenager George Lewis, according to reports in Evening Standard.

The 19-year-old youngster underwent a trial with the Gunners before the pandemic and it seems he has done enough to impress those at the club.

The report states that Arsenal have completed the signing of George Lewis after the forward underwent a successful trial. He is currently a free agent after having spent some time with Norwegian amateur side Fram Larvik.

Though this transfer has not been made official as of now, it was confirmed by the Sporting Director of the Fram Larvik who told Norwegian outlet VG:

“Yes, we can confirm that. I have been told that he has signed for Arsenal.”

This isn’t the first trial that the player has had after becoming a free agent. He had been given an opportunity to trial with League One side Ipswich Town. But it is with the North London club that the winger did his best and that was enough to warrant a contract.

Lewis will become a member of the Arsenal U-23 team when the move is made official. The winger has spent the last two seasons in the Norwegian Third Division and the move has taken his former coach Jonothan Hill of Tromsdalen by surprise. He told Goal:

“It’s been in the news over here about Arsenal but no-one really gave it much attention at first.

“I’m delighted for George, but I’m also a little surprised. He’s nearly 20 and never been near the national teams and it’s not like he’s gone off the radar here during his development.”

It is good that the Gunners are getting their business done at an early stage. This will give players such as Lewis a chance to become familiar with the club before the next season starts.

Though he would start off with the U-23 team, if he is able to do well there Mikel Arteta will surely think about giving him a chance. Lewis is a quick and skillful winger that will be able to move past defenders with ease.

Arsenal confident that Bukayo Saka will sign new contract with the club

By

Nithyanand

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30-05-2020

Arsenal are still confident that they can agree to a contract extension with young star Bukayo Saka, according to reports in football.london(via Express).

The 18-year-old is having a breakout season at the North London club scoring 3 goals and assisting 9 times. However, his current contract is set to expire in a year which has sparked concerns that he might leave.

The report in football.london states that Arsenal are confident that Bukayo Saka will eventually sign a new contract despite the fact that there has not been much progress in terms of talks between the two parties.

It further claims that the Emirates club are desperate to get him to sign on the dotted line. The midfielder is currently on a £3,000-a-week contract and is expected to get a huge pay rise.

Saka has been one of the best players this season as he has excelled in both attack and defense. Despite playing many games in the unfamiliar position of left-back, he was able to make a huge impact in many games.

But with both first-choice left-backs coming back to full fitness in the form of Sead Kolasinac and Kieran Tierney, Saka will be able to once again play in his favored left-wing role.

When questioned about Saka’s future just before the season was suspended, Arteta hoped to get this situation resolved soon. His impressive season has meant an increase in his value and if the club are serious about keeping him, they will have to come up with a huge pay rise.

The youngster would prefer to play in a more advanced role and there have been rumors linking the club with a move for Argentine Nicolas Tagliafico which would mean that Saka gets to play more on the left-wing where he wants to play.

Keeping players such as Saka is important for the future of the club as he could go on to play a vital role in the long-term success of the team.

Now that training has started and the Premier League is set to return, we could see some advancement in talks between the officials and the player and fans will be hoping that Saka commits to the club sooner rather than later.

Arsenal make contact to sign French striker as a possible Aubameyang replacement

By

Nithyanand

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30-05-2020

Arsenal have reignited their interest in Lyon striker and have made contact to sign the forward, according to reports in French outlet L’Equipe.

The 23-year-old joined Lyon in the summer of 2018 after a successful spell in Scotland with Celtic. The striker’s time in France has been very good as he has solidified his reputation as a consistent goal scorer that can be relied upon.

The forward has scored 22 goals this season and with the French league season prematurely ending due to the Coronavirus epidemic, he could be on his way out of France.

The report states that the North London club have already made contact to sign Dembele, as there is a chance that current captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could leave the club this summer.

It further states that though the forward has been linked with Manchester United and Chelsea, it is Arsenal who have made contact with him. Lyon are reportedly prepared to cash in on the forward who is valued at around £60m by his club.

One of the major reasons for Arsenal’s interest in Dembele is due to the fact that Aubameyang’s contract is up soon and he has been attracting interest from clubs such as Barcelona and Real Madrid. Since he’s not agreed on a new deal yet, the Gunners are looking at other options.

Dembele has spent time in the UK with Fulham and Celtic so he will be familiar with the rigors of the game there. And it is said that he would be open to a move but if Arsenal want their man, they will have to cough up a huge fee.

Another factor that could determine this deal is the financial impact of the Coronavirus epidemic as that might reduce the asking price. If the Frenchman was to join the Gunners, he will join former Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette. His pace and calmness in front of goal are qualities that will surely appeal to manager Mikel Arteta.

As of now, there is no clarity as to when the transfer window will open but once it does, we will know more about the future of Dembele. If that happens to be at the Emirates, fans can expect a strong and skillful forward with an eye for goal.

Arsenal make transfer decision after Barcelona outline terms to sign Philippe Coutinho

By

Nithyanand

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29-05-2020

Arsenal have been offered a chance to sign Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho but the Emirates club are unlikely to accept the terms of the deal, according to reports in ESPN.

The 27-year-old has been on loan at Bayern Munich after failing to cement a starting spot at Barcelona. The German club have an option to make his move permanent but they will reportedly not exercise that option.

Few reports earlier this week, claimed that the North London club are ready to initiate talks with Coutinho’s agent in a bid to sign the midfielder from Barcelona.

The report in ESPN states that Barcelona have offered Coutinho to Arsenal but it’s unlikely that the Gunners will sign the Brazilian midfielder. The Spanish club are demanding a £10m signing fee, and want his £250,000-a-week wages to be covered in full by the new club.

It is further reported that Arsenal are not willing to accept those terms(via Metro), considering that the club will have to work on a shoestring budget this summer.

Coutinho enjoyed a highly successful spell in England with Liverpool but since joining Barcelona, the attacking midfielder has found it a little difficult to nail down a starting place. The Brazilian has scored 8 goals in the Bundesliga this season including a hat trick showing that he’s not lost his eye for goal.

The Brazilian would be a great addition to manager Mikel Arteta’s squad and his prior experience in the Premier League will make it easy for him to settle in. He can play on the wings and as a midfielder that is something that the manager will surely like.

The Gunners could use their relationship with Kia Joorabchian to get a deal that is more favorable to them. And a loan deal would work out very well as the club does not have to make a long-term financial commitment.

Fans will certainly be happy to see a player like Coutinho being linked with the club and we will surely know more about this in the coming days.