Arsenal transfer news LIVE: £45m Riccardo Calafiori ‘CLOSE’, Gunners ‘interested in Eze’, Smith Rowe ‘exit latest’

  • Between the sticks

    Arsenal are in the market for two new goalkeepers this summer.

    The club reportedly remain interested in Daniel Bentley of Wolves to become the club's third choice.

    Bentley, 31, is a former Arsenal youth-team player.

    Meanwhile, the club are also looking at England and Ajax wonderkid Tommy Setford.

    The 18-year-old is nearing a £1m move.

  • Goalkeeper dilemma

    With David Raya and Aaron Ramsdale given extended periods away after being on opposing sides of the Euros final, Arsenal have a goalkeeping dilemma to deal with in pre-season.

    Third choice stopper Karl Hein, who recently penned a new contract, looks set to temporarily fill in.

    Lucas Nygaard, 18, could also get minutes this summer.

    He is a Danish keeper who has penned a contract with the Gunners after a successful trial.

  • Wonderkids involved

    Talented teen midfielders Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly are expected to be on the plane to America for Arsenal's pre-season tour.

    There have been rave reviews about 17-year-old pair for some time.

    Ayden Heaven, 17, Charles Sagoe Junior, 19, and 20-year-old duo of Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand and Zane Monlouis also hope to make the cut.

  • Squad split up

    Mikel Arteta has separated his squad into four groups to manage player's fitness levels during pre-season.

    The Athletic claim Group 1 are the players who did not represent their country this summer.

    Martin Odegaard and Thomas Partey are among those.

    Group 2 features Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko, who crashed out the Euros in the group stage.

    Kai Havertz and William Saliba form the next section as they played more games this summer after making it to the Euros knockout phase.

    And finally, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka are in the remaining group.

    After England made the final, they are not expected to report to Arsenal until after the club's pre-season games in the US.

    Credit: Getty
  • Legends return

    Arsenal heroes Gilberto Silva and Theo Walcott are set to go on the club's pre-season tour of the US.

    But the retired duo are not making a shock comeback to football and have instead taken up roles as club ambassadors.

    Arsenal's fixtures Stateside look like:

    • 25 July: Arsenal v Bournemouth, Dignity Health Sports Park, Los Angeles (03:30)
    • 28 July: Arsenal v Manchester United, SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles (01:00)
    • 1 August: Arsenal v Liverpool, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia (00:30)
  • Agent switch

    Oleksandr Zinchenko has announced he has changed agent.

    The Ukrainian left-back is now represented by Unique Football.

    And some fans think his switch could signal the beginning of the end for his time at Arsenal.

  • Arsenal Premier League fixtures

    Here's the full list of Arsenal's Premier League fixtures:

    Arsenal have a tricky start to the season
    Arsenal have a tricky start to the season
  • Arsenal’s pre-season schedule

    Here is the full list of Arsenal’s confirmed pre-season friendlies:

    • 25 July: Arsenal v Bournemouth, Dignity Health Sports Park, Los Angeles (03:30)
    • 28 July: Arsenal v Manchester United, SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles (01:00)
    • 1 August: Arsenal v Liverpool, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia (00:30)
    • 7 August: Arsenal v Bayer Leverkusen, Emirates Stadium (18:00)
    • 11 August: Arsenal v Lyon, Emirates Stadium (14:00)
  • Fresh Smith Rowe bids

    Crystal Palace are preparing an offer for Arsenal ace Emile Smith Rowe.

    According to The Guardian, Palace are weighing up a £35million bid for Smith Rowe.

    The same report also states that Fulham are expected to improve upon their £30m offer the Gunners rejected.

    West Ham are also said to be keeping tabs on the playmaker during the summer transfer window.

    Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, though, doesn't seem keen to let the England international go.

    Credit: Getty
  • Man Utd eye Arsenal wonderkid

    Manchester United are trying to poach Arsenal's teen sensation Chido Obi-Martin.

    Obi-Martin caught the attention as he scored 10 goals in a single youth game against Liverpool.

    According to The Athletic, the 16-year-old could be on his way out of the Emirates.

    The report adds that the striker has rejected a contract offer from the Gunners.

    This has led the Red Devils to explore a deal for the Denmark Under-17 international following the expiry of his schoolboy terms in North London.

    Obi-Martin's deal with Arsenal will run out once he reaches his 17th birthday, which will be on November 29.

  • Arsenal linked with Zabarnyi

    Arsenal have been linked with Bournemouth star Ilya Zabarnyi.

    According to CaughtOffside, the Gunners are monitoring Zabarnyi durijng the summer transfer window after an impressive Premier League campaign.

    The Cherries don't want to lose the centre-back but they could be tempted to do business for a fee in the region of £40million and £45m. 

    The same report claims the North Londoners sent scouts to watch the Ukraine international at Euro 2024.

  • Neto wants Arsenal transfer

    Wolves star Pedro Neto wants to join Arsenal this summer.

    According to TeamTalk, Neto is keen to complete a move to the Emirates ahead of the coming season.

    The Gunners have already held preliminary talks with the winger's agent regarding a potential move to north London.

    The same source adds that Arsenal are in "pole position" to sign the Portugal international, with Chelsea also keen.

    Credit: Getty
  • Petit on Saliba

    Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit claims Manchester United signing Leny Yoro can learn from William Saliba's success at the Emirates.

    I know Leny Yoro well, I watch him in France, and he’s been nicknamed the next Raphael Varane. He was 16 when he started with the Lille first team... and all of a sudden his life changed.

    The manager said he needed someone to repeat his age as he always was shocked at [how] young he is. In the space of two years, he’s been an absolute rock in defence. Let Yoro improve step by step, right now it’s too early.

    Saliba was [the] perfect example, he was at Arsenal early on but spent three years on loan before cementing his name in Arsenal’s XI. The season Saliba did with Marseille changed everything and now he’s one of the best defenders in the world.

    Emmanuel PetitDAZN
  • Cesc Fabregas' new job

    Arsenal hero Cesc Fabregas has landed his first managerial job.

    Fabregas has been named the new manager of Como.

    This comes after the Spain legend's stint as the Italian club's caretaker.

    The former midfielder impressed during his recent punditry gig at Euro 2024.

  • Riccardo Calafiori statement

    Bologna chief executive Claudio Fenucci insists there is "no news" regarding Riccardo Calafiori's status.

    Arsenal are holding talks with the Serie A outfit regarding a potential move for Calafiori.

    Fenucci told calciomercato.it that he doesn't have an update from the centre-back's suitors.

    Juventus have also been linked with the Italy international during the summer transfer window.

  • Palace prepare Smith Rowe offer

    Crystal Palace are weighing up a bid for Arsenal ace Emile Smith Rowe.

    Smith Rowe has a contract with the Gunners until 2026 and his future appears uncertain at the Emirates.

    According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Palace are looking to test the waters.

    The Eagles' manager Oliver Glasner is said to really admire the playmaker.

    Credit: Getty
  • Emile Smith Rowe rejections

    Arsenal have rejected bids from Crystal Palace as well as Fulham for Emile Smith Rowe.

    SunSport understand that should an offer come in that suits both Smith Rowe and the Gunners, then the 23-year-old will be allowed to leave the Emirates in the summer.

    The North Londoners will wait to see if Palace or the Cottagers come back with improved offers.

    Arsenal value the playmaker in the range between £25million and £30m.

  • Mikel Merino offer

    Arsenal are set to offer Real Sociedad star Mikel Merino their best ever contract.

    According to Mundo Deportivo, the Gunners are keeping tabs on Merino during the ongoing summer transfer window.

    Aston Villa have also been linked with the midfielder but they are signing Amadou Onana from Everton and that could end their interest.

    Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are also keen for the Spain international, who has a release clause worth £55million (€65m).

    Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is said to be a big fan of him and is prepared to sanction a deal that would see the 28-year-old earn the most lucrative contract of his career, potentially double what is currently on.

  • Riccardo Calafiori move stalls

    Arsenal's move for Bologna star Riccardo Calafiori has hit a snag with Jakub Kiwior reluctant to be used in a potential swap deal.

    The Gunners have been locked in talks with the Serie A side over a fee for the past month.

    The Italians, who will play in the Champions League, want £46million for Calafiori.

    The North Londoners are also looking to use Kiwior as a makeweight in the deal.

    But the Poland international is not interested in signing with Bologna and would much prefer to join AC Milan, who have concrete interest in him.

    The full-back's reluctance to become part of negotiations for the Italy international has seen talks with Bologna hit the rocks.

  • Potential Raphinha battle

    Arsenal could potentially face competition from Newcastle for the services of Raphinha.

    Both clubs have been linked with moves for the Barcelona winger in recent months.

    And it's been claimed Toon boss Eddie Howe is keen to make the former Leeds man one of his marquee signings this summer.

    Multiple reports claim he's willing to "pay a fortune for a player who is completely dispensable".

    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Urbanandsport/NurPhoto/REX/Shutterstock (14438785w) Raphinha Dias is walking off the pitch at the end of the match between FC Barcelona and PSG for the Quarter-Final of the UEFA Champions League, played at the Olympic Stadium Lluis Companys in Barcelona, Spain, on April 16, 2024. Barcelona v PSG – Champions League, Spain – 16 […]
    Mandatory Credit: Photo by Urbanandsport/NurPhoto/REX/Shutterstock (14438785w) Raphinha Dias is walking off the pitch at the end of the match between FC Barcelona and PSG for the Quarter-Final of the UEFA Champions League, played at the Olympic Stadium Lluis Companys in Barcelona, Spain, on April 16, 2024. Barcelona v PSG – Champions League, Spain – 16 […]Credit: Rex
  • Pepe reveals 'trauma'

    Former record signing Nicolas Pepe has revealed he wanted to hang up his boots due to the criticism he received while at the Emirates.

    The Ivorian said: "At Arsenal, I suffered a kind of trauma, as if my passion had been ripped away from me.

    "I felt disgust for the game. I was no longer playing, and I asked myself why I was doing this job.

    "I doubted myself to the point that I thought about giving it all up. I wondered how people could be so harsh on me.

    "They even called me the biggest flop in the history of the Premier League."

    Credit: Getty
  • Calafiori pursuit hailed

    Mikel Arteta's potential acquisition of Ricardo Calafiori has been hailed by former Gunners defender Bacary Sagna.

    He tol Paddy Power: "Riccardo Calafiori is very good – I've followed him a lot in Serie A this season.

    "I’ve seen a lot of Bologna games, and he’s one of the reasons they were able to qualify for the Champions League.

    "He’s calm and composed on the ball – he can break lines by committing and help the side out offensively. 

    "He’d be a fantastic player for Arsenal – any club he would join, he would be a fantastic addition.” 

  • Watkins urged to snub Prem big boys

    Ollie Watkins has been urged to snub a potential move to Arsenal and stay at Aston Villa.

    Ex-Liverpool and Blackburn Rovers star Stephen Warnock told BetVictor: "Ollie Watkins’ England prospects depend firstly on what Harry Kane does next and also on who comes in to replace Gareth Southgate as manager.

    "He likes having that pressure on him to perform well. What he's found at Villa is that Unai Emery has improved him as a player – he respects that hugely.

    "He knows that working under Emery is the right fit for him. He plays in a system that suits him, which gives him opportunities to score and create goals.

    "The difference now as well is that he's likely to be playing Champions League football.

    "If he goes somewhere else, he may not quite fit in, he might not settle and the new manager's philosophy could be a different style of football."

    Credit: Reuters
  • Williams blow

    Arsenal's pursuit of Nico Williams could be ended by Barcelona, who Gianluca Di Marzio claims is the Spain international's "likely destination".

    He said: "At the moment, Barcelona is Nico Williams’ likely destination.

    "A few weeks ago Chelsea were keen to sign him, but I think the player would rather stay in Spain.

    "Otherwise Chelsea would have paid his release clause. The player prefers to stay in Spain and in Barcelona he can play with Lamine Yamal, as he did in the national team.

    "Barcelona will do everything to get him and to have him as an answer to Real Madrid's signing of Kylian Mbappe. At the moment, Barcelona is the most likely destination for him."

  • Kimmich swoop unlikely

    Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich is unlikely to move to the Emirates this summer, according to reporter Gianluca Di Marzio.

    The Italian said: "I don't think Kimmich will leave.

    "He has been linked with Italian clubs and I have inquired with them and it is difficult for him to leave.

    "He is the perfect player for them and he can play in different positions.

    "I don't think Bayern will let Kimmich go. Leroy Sane is also the perfect player for Vincent Kompany.

    "If Arsenal try to get him, he would of course be perfect for Arsenal to challenge Manchester City for the title."