Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Gunners ‘ramp up’ Gyokeres pursuit, Mikel Merino deal ‘close’, new ‘Nketiah bid received’

Ferdi Kadioglu bid

Arsenal have made an offer for Fenerbahce star Ferdi Kadioglu.

According to Football London, the Gunners have bid £17million for Kadioglu.

Borussia Dortmund reportedly offered the same almost two months ago but were rejected by Fener.

Jose Mourinho's side are reportedly demanding a fee closer to £30million for the left-back.

Mikel Merino bid

Arsenal have yet to make an offer for Real Sociedad star Mikel Merino.

According to Sky Sports, the Gunners haven't made an official bid for Merino.

Talks, though, are ongoing between the North Londoners and Sociedad.

Nevertheless, the midfielder remains committed to a move to the Emirates.

Arsenal vs Lyon preview

Arsenal take on Lyon at the Emirates Cup in their north London home.

The Gunners could be missing Jurrien Timber after he picked up a knock ahead of the friendly with Bayer Leverkusen.

However, manager Mikel Arteta has hinted that fans may finally get to see £42million summer signing Riccardo Calafiori in action.

Alexandre Lacazette will be returning to the Emirates after his departure in 2022.

Michael Owen prediction

England legend Michael Owen has predicted Manchester City to finish fourth in the Premier League this coming season.

And Owen has backed Arsenal to win the league for the first time in 21 years.

The Liverpool great told Casino Hawks:

Arsenal and Manchester City will go in virtually everybody's top-four predictions and I think Liverpool will probably be in there as well despite there being some questions over how well Arne Slot will fit in.

I had a thought about Newcastle but Aston Villa are solid and look to be still improving. In terms of the order, my thought process is if City are not gonna win it, they could actually drop away a little bit.

It's almost like if City are not gonna be really in the race after 10 games then their priority could go elsewhere - I think there could be a big surprise this season.

I’m going to go for Arsenal first, Liverpool second, Aston Villa third and Manchester City fourth.

Michael Owen

Arteta on Timber

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has given an update on Jurrien Timber's fitness after he missed yesterday's 4-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen with injury.

Both Timber and new signing Riccardo Calafiori were omitted from the game.

Jurrien had a little discomfort in his foot in the last few days.

And obviously after the amount of time he’s been out, we didn’t want to take any risk with him.

Mikel Arteta

Mikel Merino latest

Arsenal are still favourites to land Real Sociedad star Mikel Merino during the summer transfer window.

According to El Diario Vasco, the Gunners remain the most likely destination for Merino to go.

The report claims the midfielder's switch is set to materialise in the coming days.

The North Londoners' boss Mikel Arteta is keen to bring the Spain international to the Emirates after he rejected other potential suitors in favour of joining Arsenal.

Thierry Henry statement

Thierry Henry's French Crazy Gang fight for football gold on Friday – and he reckons it will be the most emotional moment of his decorated career.

Arsenal’s legendary striker, 46, won two Premier League crowns – the second as part of the Invincibles side – and two FA Cups in North London and then lifted the Champions League with Barcelona.

Internationally, he reached the pinnacle of world football with France, winning the World Cup at the Stade de France in 1998 and the European Championship two years later in the Netherlands.

Should his French second-string side beat Spain at the Parc des Princes, an Olympic gold medal will be placed around his muscular neck – to cap one of the most outstanding CVs in the sport’s history.

Emotions will run high because for the first time his entire family will be in the stands as he rants and raves in the technical area.

Did I ever think I’d be part of an Olympic team? Never. I’ll tell you why it’s different to me and I explained it to the team and some of my friends. I never ever was on the field or the bench with my family in the stands looking at me performing.

I never had my kids at a stadium, looking at me with my team. Because when I had my kids, I was almost at the end of my career. You talk about what I’ve won but for me it’s something better than what you can win.

The love of your family, the love of your kids. I never had that feeling before. It never happened to me. Maybe that’s why you guys saw for the first time [after the semi-final win] that I was so emotional. Maybe that’s what was missing.

Turning and seeing them brought me places. The fans brought me places. The game itself brought me places. I’ve lost weight, gained weight in games. I lost my hair. It never grew back.

But the possibility to have my kids sharing that moment with me and everybody in France, that means everything to me.

Thierry Henry

Arsenal push on for Gyokeres

Arsenal are continuing their pursuit of Sporting Lisbon star Viktor Gyokeres.

According to Corriere dello Sport, the Gunners are “very active” in their bid for Gyokeres.

The North Londoners are unlikely to move for Napoli superstar Victor Osimhen due to his expensive release clause.

Thus, Arsenal are ramping up their interest in the Sweden international.

Jesus resurrected

Mikel Arteta has gushed about Gabriel Jesus after his stunning goal and spectacular performance against Bayer Leverkusen last night.

The Arsenal manager has suggested that Jesus is set for a strong season after saying there's "something different" about the Brazilian.

Speaking after the 4-1 victory, he said: "I said from day one, the first feeling when I saw him after talking to him at the end of the season is that he was something different. I could sense it.

"His energy was different, the way he looks is different, the way he’s moving is different. He really wants it.

"Now it’s about finding that consistency and doing it in any context, against any opponent, against any formation, any day, every three days, for 90 minutes, for 30 minutes, for 70 minutes.

"If you are produce in those circumstances? It looks good."

Calafiori absence explained

Arsenal fans are yet to get a glimpse of new signing Riccardo Calafiori, despite the Gunners dropping north of £40m on the defender.

The Italian joined the Arsenal squad during their US tour, but failed to get any stateside minutes.

While he was also left to watch on from the stands as Arsenal beat Bayer Leverkusen at the Emirates last night.

Now Mikel Arteta has revealed why the new arrival is yet to get any minutes. he said:"In regard to Riccardo, so much happened to him in one week.

"He’s come into a new environment with a different methodology and different training so we are managing him and we want to do it slowly and in the best way possible.

"Hopefully he will be available to play some minutes on Sunday."

Arsenal take on Lyon at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday for their final pre-season clash before the Premier League gets underway.

Zubimendi blow

Arsenal have been handed a huge blow in their pursuit of Martin Zubimendi after it was reported that Real Sociedad expect the midfielder to agree to join Liverpool.

Arne Slot's Reds are eyeing a move for the Spain international as they look for a new no.6 in the window.

According to The Athletic, Zubimendi is expected to strike up a deal with the Anfield club.

Previous suitors such as Arsenal and Barcelona are said to have struggled to convince Zubimendi to make a switch away from Spain in recent transfer windows.

It's claimed that Sociedad will not stand in Zubimendi's way should he ask to leave the club.