1pm Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Ozil ‘offered £18m severance’ deal, ‘Willian and Aubameyang deals THIS WEEK’ – The Sun

August 10, 2020

ARSENAL are so desperate to get rid of Mesut Ozil that Mikel Arteta is reportedly willing to offer him an £18m deal to cancel his contract.

Meanwhile Willian is expected to sign and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to pen a new contract this week.

Get all the latest news and transfer gossip from North London here…

DONE DEAL
Arsenal youngster Zech Medley has agreed a deal to join Gillingham on loan.
According to the Evening Standard, the Gunners want the centre-back to get as much game time under his belt as possible.
The 20-year-old joined Arsenal's academy setup from Chelsea back in 2016.
And he has been tipped to have a big future with the Gunners in years to come.
WIZARD OF OZ
Mesut Ozil has reportedly been offered an £18million pay-off from Arsenal to end his Emirates nightmare.
The £350,000-per-week midfielder is unwanted by Gunners boss Mikel Arteta.
Here's how much he rakes in…
CLOSE SHAVE
Arsenal fans could not believe their eyes when this picture of Mikel Arteta getting a haircut did the rounds on Twitter.
Some supporters were convinced the Spaniard's hair did not grow – as he has looked the same for as long as they can remember.
One said: “I thought his hair didn't grow and it just stayed in the perfect shape naturally.
Another asked: “Arteta's hair grows?”
MES BE KEEN?
Mesut Ozil has been hanging out with Istanbul Basaksehir's manager after the Turkish side offered him a transfer lineline.
The Arsenal playmaker, 31, headed back to Turkey following the completion of his side's elongated season.
And he was pictured posing for a selfie with Basaksehir boss Okan Buruk – the man trying to sign him.
The pair were joined by Turkish TV mogul Acun Ilicali, who shared the snap on his Instagram story to his 13.6million followers.
And the picture will no doubt add fuel to the speculation of a move to Turkey.
OH GUEN THEN
Vilarreal have made a formal loan-to-buy offer for Matteo Guendouzi, according to Football Insider.
The £30million-rated midfielder has fallen out of favour under the management of Mikel Arteta.
And the Spanish side are keen to sign him with an option to make the deal permanent this summer.
But it is reported that Arsenal would prefer to sell him now to raise funds for other signings.
PIERRE PRESSURE
Arsenal bosses reportedly ignored advice from a scout to sign Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg this summer.
The Athletic claim departing scout Peter Clark proposed the Southampton star as an alternative to Thomas Partey.
But the club ignored his advice – and Hojbjerg is set to join rivals Tottenham this summer.
'TOP DOLLAR'
John Hartson says Celtic must demand at least £40MILLION for Odsonne Edouard.
The French striker has attracted attention from Arsenal and a host of top clubs after shining since joining up at Parkhead initially on loan in 2017.
He said: “The manager and board want him to stay, but the club have been known to sell players when the right offer comes in.
“What would you price him at now? £40million?
“Moussa Dembele went for £20m and Chelsea were looking to pay £70m for him.
“Why would Celtic let Edouard go cheap? If you are going to sell him you need to get top dollar for him.”
PARTEY TIME
Arsenal have reportedly offered Atletico Madrid their pick of three players as part of a swap deal for Thomas Partey.
The 27-year-old has emerged as a top target for Mikel Arteta, but the Gunners boss is not prepared to meet his £45million release clause.
Instead, Arsenal could include Alexandre Lacazette, Hector Bellerin or Lucas Torreira as part of the deal.
But according to Spanish football journalist Kike Marin, Atletico want the release clause paid in full.
Back to the drawing board Arteta…
FERD IT HERE FIRST
Robert Pires has named Rio Ferdinand and John Terry as the two toughest opponents he faced in the PRemier League.
The Gunners legend told the MOTD Top 10 Podcast: “In the Premier League, it was John Terry and Rio Ferdinand.
“Matches against Chelsea and Manchester United were always hard and Terry and Ferdinand were very tough, very physical.
“Coming from France to play in the Premier League it was very difficult at the beginning.”
GO ON SON
Arsenal have joined the race to sign Marseille midfielder Morgan Sanson, according to reports.
According to Le10 Sport, the Gunners have opened talks with the French club.
The source states that Mikel Arteta has been keeping a close eye on the 25-year-old for a long time.
But Arsenal are expected to face competition from the likes of Tottenham and West Ham for his signature.
PARTEY TIME
Arsenal are throwing players at Atletico Madrid in order to get a deal for Thomas Partey over the line, according to reports.
El Confidencial's Kike Marin claims names such as Hector Bellerin, Alexandre Lacazette and Lucas Torreira have come up in the negotiation for the Ghanaian.
However, he adds that Atleti's position is clear and they are still demanding Partey's £45m release clause be met in cash.
GOOD MORNING ARSENAL FANS,
The Gunners' announcement of Willian will reportedly be announced in the next week.
ESPN Brazil state that his time at Chelsea has now officially come to an end following their Champions League exit at the hands of Chelsea.
They state a three-year deal gas been agreed at the Emirates, and only minor details need to be sorted out before his switch to North London is confirmed.
Elsewhere, Emiliano Martinez has admitted he may have to leave Arsenal if he loses his place to Bernd Leno.
He told Argentine radio station Continental: “I have shown the club that I can play for them and when I return next season I need to have more games.
“That is the only way I will stay at Arsenal.
“My target is to consolidate my place with Arsenal and to reach the Argentinian national team as number one.
“I won’t stop until I get that and if I don’t play for Arsenal, then clearly I would move on.”
And Arsenal are reportedly set to flog Alexandre Lacazette to Atletico Madrid for £30million.
The Star claim the Frenchman will be moved on if Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang signs a new deal at the Emirates.
The report adds that Lacazette is also unhappy to be merely a bit-part player in Mikel Arteta's first-team plans.
THAT'S MAT THEN
Arsenal have set their price tag for midfielder Matteo Guendouzi this summer after Paris Saint-Germain have joined Barcelona and Villarreal in the race for his signature.
Football London claim Ligue 1 giants PSG are weighing up a move for the Frenchman.
Arsenal are said to want around £40million for Guendouzi who they snared for just £7m from Lorient two years ago.
ZAHA CONTINUED
Wilfried Zaha has since answered the video on Instagram.
He wrote: “I'm just enjoying my time off and can't control everything everyone does.”
WILL HE OR WON'T HE?
Wilfried Zaha has sent Arsenal fans into a frenzy after being filmed pointing to a neon sign that read 'Zaha to Arsenal' in a nightclub.
FAB WORK
Cesc Fabregas has sent Willian a message after his Chelsea exit was confirmed ahead of his expected free transfer to Arsenal.
The Spaniard wrote: “Mucha suerte amigo. Te sales,” which translates as 'good luck my friend, you go out.'
WILL I NEVER
Arsenal have been told that Willian's arrival only makes 'sense' if they sell Alexandre Lacazette.
Football expert Gabriele Marcotti told Sky Sports: “What I would be concerned about is that Arsenal are going to be in the same situation with Lacazette in a years' time.
“He's 29 years old and has one more year on his contract than Aubameyang.
“When you add in that Arsenal may sign Willian on a three-year deal, that is a lot of money to commit to attacking players who are or will be in their 30s.
“It is a ton of money to lay out. It seems strange to do that when Arsenal have youngsters like Saka, Martinelli and (Eddie) Nketiah, who they presumably want to grow.
“Mikel Arteta is on an upward trajectory, but he needs time, so it makes even less sense to put your resources in older players at this stage.
“It seems an odd and unusual approach the club are taking, unless they are planning to sell Lacazette, but we don't know that.”
S-MART DECISION
Martin Keown has warned Arsenal not to be held ransom over Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s wage demands.
He told PA Sport: “[Mikel] Arteta has been there less than eight months and walked away with an FA Cup.
“He is someone who can make a difference [to Aubameyang’s decision] and if he wants the striker at the football club he will be influential.
“The previous manager, Unai Emery, was saying he wasn’t part of the negotiations for Aaron Ramsey.
“Well this time round Arteta made it his place to be involved in the negotiations and that is only right and proper.
“I don’t think they should be held to ransom as they appeared to be over the Mesut Ozil contract but on the pitch Aubameyang seems like a different person.
“Just getting him to sign keeps a huge amount of belief and hope for the future – but not one individual is bigger than the football club as the Ozil saga has shown.”
BACK SACK N' LAC
Arsenal are reportedly set to flog Alexandre Lacazette to Atletico Madrid for £30million.
The Star claim the Frenchman will be moved on if Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang signs a new deal at the Emirates.
The report adds that Lacazette is also unhappy to be merely a bit-part player in Mikel Arteta's first-team plans.
ONE AND ONLY
Emiliano Martinez has admitted he may have to leave Arsenal if he loses his place to Bernd Leno.
He told Argentine radio station Continental: “I have shown the club that I can play for them and when I return next season I need to have more games.
“That is the only way I will stay at Arsenal.
“My target is to consolidate my place with Arsenal and to reach the Argentinian national team as number one.
“I won’t stop until I get that and if I don’t play for Arsenal, then clearly I would move on.”
OUT OF THE BLUE
Chelsea have reportedly made a £20million swoop to snap up Manchester City defender John Stones.
The 26-year-old England star is likely to leave the Etihad this summer following the £41m arrival of ex-Blues player Nathan Ake.
According to the Mirror, interest in the former Everton man has sparked Chelsea boss Frank Lampard's interest.
The report adds that Lamps feels he can resurrect Stones’ career and is prepared to sanction a £20m move.
But they are set to face competition for Stones from his former boss David Moyes at West Ham.
Arsenal – managed by ex-City assistant Arteta – are also interested but the London club will have to sell before they can buy.
HOW IT'S GUNNER LOOK
Mikel Arteta is planning a major summer overhaul at Arsenal and his starting XI could look very different next season.
The Gunners have most recently been linked with South American trio James Rodriguez, Philippe Coutinho and Willian.
And if they land all three stars, the Gunners' attack would intimidate most Premier League defences.
Here's how Arsenal could line-up…
SUMMER PARTEY
Thomas Partey remains Arsenal's top transfer target but Atletico Madrid are reportedly holding out his full £45million release clause.
Kike Marin claims the Gunners had attempted to lower the Spaniard's asking price by offering a swap deal involving either Lucas Torreira, Hector Bellerin or Alexandre Lacazette.
Yet the report adds that Atletico refused discussions and insisted his release clause be activated in full.
Mikel Arteta has been desperately hunting for some steel in midfield this summer.
Earlier this year, he identified Partey as his No1 target after another sensational season in Spain.
The Ghanian is under contract at the Wanda Metropolitano until the end of the 2022-23 season.
AUBA TOYOU
WILLIAN CONTINUED
Willian added: “There was also criticism, which is normal, what is important though is that both the affection and criticism drove me to always give my all in every training session, every game, to be constantly improving until my very last minute in a Chelsea shirt!
“The time has now come to move on. I am certainly going to miss my teammates.
“I will miss all the staff at the club who’ve always treated me like a son and I will miss the fans.
“I leave with my head held high, safe in the knowledge that I won things here and always did my best in a Chelsea shirt!
“My heartfelt thanks go out to all of you and God bless you!”

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