Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Gunners close in on £27m Riccardo Calafiori, Mikel Merino linked, Nico Williams latest

  • Gunners pre-season schedule

    Having returned for pre-season training on Monday, Arsenal are now gearing up for five friendlies ahead of the new season.

    The Gunners will face three Premier League rivals as part of their USA tour, before a pair of home matches at the Emirates Stadium.

    • July 24 - Bournemouth - Carson, USA
    • July 27 - Manchester United - Los Angeles, USA
    • July 31 - Liverpool - Philadelphia, USA
    • August 7 - Bayer Leverkusen - Emirates Stadium
    • August 11 - Lyon - Emirates Stadium
  • Arsenal back in training

    Arsenal's stars returned for the first day of pre-season training on Monday.

    The squad kicked off their preparations for the new season at London Colney.

    Martin Odegaard, Ben White, Eddie Nketiah and Jurrien Timber were all pictured at the club's training base.

    Mikel Arteta was also seen chatting to Timber out on the pitch, with the players also completing work in the gym.

    Credit: Getty
  • Gunners reject bid

    Arsenal have rejected an offer from Fulham for Emile Smith Rowe.

    The Cottagers have been strongly linked with the midfielder throughout the summer.

    According to The Standard, Fulham are now weighing up whether to go back in with an improved offer.

  • Prem clubs won't pay 'crazy money' for Williams

    Arsenal and Chelsea face a huge obstacle to sign Spain hero Nico Williams..

    Athletic Bilbao will fight hard to keep their star winger, who has also been mentioned in connection with Barcelona and Liverpool.

    But transfer guru Fabrizio Romano appears to believe Williams’ £43million release clause might not be the main problem for his admirers.

    Romano reckons Chelsea “don’t want to pay crazy money in terms of salary commission, and obviously the release clause in one solution. So this is one topic.

    “Arsenal still appreciate Nico Williams, but they also don’t want to pay in that kind of structure.

    “They wanted something different in terms of money, but the appreciation of Arsenal and especially of Mikel Arteta for Nico Williams is real.

    “Liverpool also like the player, but Liverpool never started any concrete contact to advance so far.”

  • 'United eye Arsenal target Ferdi'

    Arsenal could face competition from Manchester United for Fenerbahce left-back Ferdi Kadioglu this summer.

    The Netherlands-born 24-year-old helped Turkey reach the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.

    TEAMtalk claim £29.5milion-valued Kadioglu, who previously played for Dutch top-flight club NEC, is a “main objective” in United's transfer plans.

    It follows problems at left-back last term for the Red Devils.

    However, Luke Shaw has battled back to full fitness - starting in England's Euro 2024 final loss to Spain.

    And Tyrell Malacia is now training again after more than a year out.

    Credit: Getty
  • Arsenal Premier League fixtures

    Here’s Arsenal’s full list of Premier League fixtures for the coming season.

    More below:

  • Saints linked to Aaron bid

    Newly-promoted Southampton reportedly could move for Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale.

    The England back-up stopper, who never played at Euro 2024, will hope for more regular first-team football after losing his place to David Raya last season.

    It’s thought the Gunners would be happy to keep the 26-year-old but are sympathetic to his situation.

    Credit: Reuters
  • Joao has wow factor for Gunners

    Atletico Madrid winger Joao Felix might be targeted by Arsenal after his loan with Barcelona.

    Mundo Deportivo say the Gunners are weighing up an approach for the former Chelsea loanee.

    Aston Villa and Barca are are also regarded as showing an interest.

  • London rivals could yet nab Smith Rowe

    iiiArsenal are waiting to see if Fulham or Crystal Palace come back in for Emile Smith Rowe.

    The ex-England midfielder will be allowed to leave for the right offer.

    And although Smith Rowe joined the Gunners aged 10 and is a childhood fan, he is keen for regular starts.

  • 'Arteta really appreciates Nico'

    Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has "real appreciation" for Nico Williams fan - as Prem clubs are increasingly linked with the Spain hero.

    But Athletic Bilbao will fight hard to keep their star winger, who has also been mentioned in connection with Barcelona and Liverpool.

    But transfer guru Fabrizio Romano appears to believe Williams' £43million release clause might not be the main problem for his admirers.

    Romano reckons Chelsea "don't want to pay crazy money in terms of salary commission, and obviously the release clause in one solution. So this is one topic.

    “Arsenal still appreciate Nico Williams, but they also don't want to pay in that kind of structure.

    "They wanted something different in terms of money, but the appreciation of Arsenal and especially of Mikel Arteta for Nico Williams is real.

    “Liverpool also like the player, but Liverpool never started any concrete contact to advance so far.”

  • Lunin large on the radar

    Arsenal are still tipped to bid for Real Madrid keeper Andriy Lunin.

    The Ukrainian was outstanding when standing infor Real first-choice Thibaut Courtois last term.

    And it's understood Lunin wants a shot at being the main man between the sticks - even if that means a transfer.

    The 25-year-old is out of contract next summer.

    Credit: Getty

    And Real would reportedly love him to sign a new deal until 2029.

    But they also know if they are to lose Lunin, the most profitable time is now - rather than see him walk away as a free agent in 2025.

    AS say Real have told Lunin to pen an extended contract or prepare to exit.

    And that could suit both parties.

  • Merino 'ready for Prem return'

    Arsenal-linked Mikel Merino has reportedly indicated he's willing to consider a Premier League return.

    The ex-Newcastle ace came off the bench in Spain's 2-1 Euro 2024 final win over England.

    The 28-year-old, capped 28 times, is out of contract next season.

    Club and country team-mate Martin Zubimendi, who played the second half in Berlin last night, has of course long also been rated a prime Gunners' target.

    Credit: Rex

  • Nelson on Hammers' striking wishlist

    West Ham are being linked with three strikers at Premier League rivals.

    Arsenal's Reiss Nelson could cost more than £20million.

    Credit: Getty

    And the two latest names mentioned won't come cheap either.

    Aston Villa's Jhon Duran is said to have been monitored by Chelsea as well as the Hammers.

    And Everton’s 11-cap Englishman Dominic Calvert-Lewin is also regarded as another contender for a switch to the London Stadium.

  • Athletic fight to keep Nico

    Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona are tipped to rev up their interest in Spain's Euro 2024 hero Nico Williams.

    Williams, who hit the opener in a 2-1 final win over England, has a buyout clause of around £53million.

    And that could be a big problem for cash-strapped Barca.

    But Athletic Bilbao are determined to keep the 22-year-old winger for at least another season.

    Credit: Rex
  • Lokong wait for Sevilla finally ends

    Albert Sambi Lokonga's loan switch to Sevilla has been confirmed.

    The Spaniards have a £10million option to buy next summer.

    Arsenal put a 25 per-cent sell-on clause in that deal as the former Luton loanee midfielder still has two years left on his contract.

  • Gunners 'turn down Emile offers'

    Emile Smith Rowe's future remains uncertain after bids from two Premier League rivals were reportedly rejected.

    Sky Sports say the Gunners have rejected approaches from London opponents Fulham and Crystal Palace

    The three-cap England midfielder, 23, is thought to be weighing up his options - as he faces another big-part season at the Emirates unless he moves on.

    Sky suggest Fulham and Palace are now deciding whether to come back in with improved offers.

    The Londoner is under contract until 2026.

  • Tavares joins Lazio

    Nuno Tavares has joined Lazio on a season-long loan from Arsenal.

    The Italian side also have an obligation to buy the full-back if certain clauses are met.

    Tavares joined the Gunners from Benfica in 2021 and has since had loan spells with Marseille and Nottingham Forest.

  • 'Useless' Rice slammed

    Declan Rice has been branded "useless" following his display in the Euro 2024 final.

    Former Tottenham midfielder Rafael van der Vaart was unimpressed with the Arsenal star's performance against Spain.

    The 41-year-old told NOS: "€100M for Declan Rice. What does he do?

    "He comes to collect a ball only to pass it back to John Stones. He is useless.

    "If you are truly worth €100M, then you should be able to play a ball forward."

  • Arsenal's Merino interest

    Arsenal are preparing to launch an approach for Mikel Merino following Euro 2024.

    The Spanish midfielder was part of La Roja's victorious squad in Germany.

    According to The Telegraph, the Gunners' interest pre-dates the tournament and they are now ready to make a move.

    Reports in Spain claim Real Sociedad want around £20million for Merino.

    Credit: Getty
  • Aubameyang on the move

    Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is set to seal a shock transfer to Saudi Arabia.

    The former Arsenal forward is edging closer to joining Al Qadsiah, according to Fabrizio Romano.

    Aubameyang has agreed terms on a two-year contract through to 2026.

    The 35-year-old will link up with former Real Madrid defender Nacho, who has already joined Al Qadsiah this summer.

  • Kiwior in Calafiori deal

    Arsenal saw an attempt to include Jakub Kiwior in a deal for Riccardo Calafiori rejected.

    The Gunners offered the Polish defender to Bologna on loan with an obligation to buy, according to Il Resto del Carlino.

    However, the Serie A side rejected the proposal, with negotiations still deadlocked.

  • Calafiori saga continues

    Bologna are holding out for an improved offer from Arsenal for defender Riccardo Calafiori, according to reports.

    The Gunners have so far offered £42million including add-ons for the Italian international.

    Il Resto del Carlino report that Bologna are also working to lower Calafiori's previous club Basel's sell-on clause.

    The Swiss side have an agreement to receive 50 per cent of the fee if he is sold.

    Credit: Getty
  • Lokonga joins Sevilla

    Albert Sambi Lokonga has completed a loan move to Sevilla from Arsenal.

    The midfielder has signed with the Spanish club for the season, with an option to make the deal permanent included.

    Lokonga spent last season on loan at Luton, making 19 appearances and scoring once.

    Sevilla are not in Europe this season after finishing 14th in La Liga last term.

  • Wenger selfie

    Football fans loved what Arsene Wenger did during Gareth Southgate's post-match interview on Sunday night.

    The England boss spoke to the BBC following the Euro 2024 final defeat, with Wenger visible in the background.

    He was spotted taking selfies with fans as Southgate poured his heart out.

    Fans were quick to react on social media, with one writing: "Arsene Wenger taking a few selfies while Southgate gets interviewed lol."

    Another jokingly claimed Wenger's hilarious appearance in Southgate's interview is confirmation he'll replace him as England gaffer.

    They wrote: "Wenger confirmed."

  • Kiwior's future

    Jakub Kiwior will be allowed to leave Arsenal this summer, according to reports.

    Football Insider report that the 24-year-old is attracting interest from several clubs in Italy.

    The Poland international, who joined the Gunners in January 2023, still has four years left on his deal.

    Kiwior made 30 appearances across all competitions last season, scoring once.