Arsenal news LIVE: Gunners interest in Joao Felix, Arteta's new £8.3m deal, Aubameyang message to Dembele
ARSENAL are interested in signing Atletico Madrid sensation Joao Felix according to reports.
The Portuguese international became Los Colchoneros's record signing in 2019 for a whopping £106.19 and it has been rumoured that Mikel Arteta would like to bring Felix to the Emirates this summer.
On Arteta, the Gunners boss is in line for a bumper new £8.3million-a-year deal in North London after impressing bosses.
Aubameyang has sent a message to Arsenal target and "little brother" Osumane Dembele ahead of any potential move to North London in the summer.
The former Gunners captain said: "I don't know (if it possible for him to renew at Barcelona) but the only thing I can say is that everything is possible in life.
"We had an incredible year in Dortmund and he is an unbelievable player.
"To tell you the truth, I'm very happy that he's here and when I arrived I told him 'you have to stay here man'."
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
Stay up to date with all the latest from the Emirates in our live blog…
- Sam Dymond
Ruben ready for frosty reception
Ruben Neves is set to receive a hostile welcome from Arsenal fans this evening following comments he made in the aftermath of the Gunners' 1-0 win at Molineux a fortnight ago.
The Portuguese midfielder was critical of the over-the-top manner in which the Arsenal players celebrated at the full time whistle, despite playing the final 21 minutes with ten men.
Speaking in his post-match interview, Neves quipped: “I didn’t see Arsenal celebrating like this in the past 10 years – it was like they had won the league.”
One Wolves player who will receive a great reception from the home fans is Raul Jimenez.
The Mexican returns to the Emirates for the first time, 15 months on from the horrendous head injury he suffered in this fixture.
- Sam Dymond
Roma return for Arsenal's Xhaka
Serie A side Roma will revisit their interest in Arsenal's Granit Xhaka this summer, according to reports in Italy.
The Switzerland midfielder was the subject of prolonged negotiations with the Italians last year, but a deal failed to materialise when the two clubs couldn't agree upon a fee.
However, the Gunners are now expected to drop their asking price of £15million with just one year remaining on Xhaka's contract.
Roma boss Jose Mourinho is understood to be an admirer of the 29-year-old, who first moved to the Emirates back in 2016.
- Sam Dymond
Gunners back in Thursday action
Arsenal return to Premier League action at the Emirates this evening when they take on Wolverhampton Wanderers, and have the chance to move within one point of Manchester United in fourth place.
The Gunners currently sit in sixth behind West Ham but will leapfrog the Hammers by avoiding defeat in the first of their three games in hand.
The rearranged clash comes just 14 days after Mikel Arteta's team won the reverse game 1-0 at Molineux.
In doing so, Arsenal against Wolves this season will become the first ever Premier League fixture to have both meetings in a campaign played on a Thursday.
The last fixture to have this happen in the top-flight was Bury versus Tottenham Hotspur in 1924-25.
- Kostas Lianos
Good morning Arsenal fans
Arsenal are eyeing a stunning deal for Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix, ahead of the summer transfer window.
According to El Chiringuito, however, Atletico want a whopping €120million (£100m) fee for Felix, who scored against Manchester United last night in the Champions League Last 16.
Journalist Eduardo Inda said: “Joao Felix is a very good player. Arsenal want him.
“Simeone, if he continues, wants to bring [Goncalo] Guedes. His objective is to change Felix for Guedes.
“The problem that Atletico has is that he cost €120m and recovering it is something that can only be done if he is sold to the Premier League.”
Meanwhile, Arsenal are set to hand manager Mikel Arteta a pay rise with a new £8.3million-a-year deal this summer, reports SunSport‘s Mark Irwin.
Arteta has 16 months left in his contract and the Gunners are eager to secure his long-term future with them at the Emirates.
Club owner Stan Kroenke is keen to emphasise his confidence in the Spanish head coach by sanctioning a three-year agreement, which will be worth £25m.
The 39-year-old’s current salary of £5m per year does not even compare with his former Manchester City mentor Pep Guardiola, who is on £20m per year.
The north Londoners are ready to hand a 60 per cent pay hike to Arteta, who will be on the same money legendary tactician Arsene Wenger was earning when he left the club in 2018.
And Barcelona are keeping tabs on Arsenal ace Kieran Tierney ahead of the summer transfer window.
According to Cule Mania, Barca are keen to sign a replacement for Jordi Alba at left-back.
The report claims the Gunners’ full-back is joined by AC Milan's Theo Hernandez and Benfica's Alex Grimaldo on the Blaugrana's shortlist.
LaLiga rivals Real Madrid have also been previously linked with the highly-rated Scotland international.
Finally, Arsenal are interested in Napoli duo Victor Osimhen and Fabian Ruiz this summer in a £90million swoop.
According to Napoli Piu, Osimhen has been identified as a potential target for the Gunners, who will need a centre-forward after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's departure.
Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are also set to become free agents in June.
The Nigeria international could be joined by current team-mate Ruiz, who is fast approaching the final year of his contract with the Partenopei
- Kostas Lianos
Djed high warrior
Arsenal ace Gabriel Martinelli rates Nottingham Forest loanee and Gunners' transfer target Djed Spence his toughest ever opponent.
Martinelli told The Athletic: “Actually the guy from Nottingham Forest, Djed Spence, who I played against in the FA Cup.
“He is very strong, good on the ball, calm and quick. I was surprised – he is a really good player!”
Spence plays on loan at Forest from fellow Championship side Middlesbrough
GETTY IMAGES - Kostas Lianos
Ren I’m Gone
Arsenal have suffered a transfer blow as Lille star Renato Sanches has agreed to join AC Milan.
Sanches confirmed the Gunners were keeping tabs on him during the January transfer window.
According to Calciomercato, the midfielder and Milan have a ‘definitive understanding’ over a deal.
The Portugal international is represented by Jorge Mendes, who is said to have ‘excellent relations’ with the Rossoneri
- Kostas Lianos
‘Points on the board’
Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel has backed his former club to overtake rivals Arsenal to fourth place in the Premier League.
Schmeichel told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast: “I think Arsenal have shown some great form.
“But actually, on current form in the last five games, Man Utd is a little bit better than Arsenal. It’s hard to see but they are.
“I think having the points on the board rather than games in hand [is more important].
“It [Leeds] was a great win, let me [be] absolutely clear about that it was a great win, but I still think there is a long, long, long way to go for this team.
“They’ve still got, in terms of football, so many more things to prove”
- Kostas Lianos
‘Haven’t impacted a lot’
Former Roma ace Loris Boni believes Arsenal loanee Ainsley Maitland-Niles and fellow January arrival Sergio Oliveira have struggled to adapt to Italian football.
Boni told Centro Suono Sport: “They haven’t impacted a lot.
“Maybe they haven’t settled in yet. They have a hard time grasping the type of football in Italy.
“English and Portuguese football is quite different. If you join a team that is not in to condition, it’s not easy to fit in.
“They are players who have come to complete a staff. They aren’t ones who make the difference”
- Kostas Lianos
Lautaro transfer war
Arsenal have been put on red alert as Inter Milan are reportedly prepared to sell Lautaro Martinez in the summer transfer window.
The Gunners were linked with Lautaro last year and were set to offer him a £275,000-a-week deal.
But the move failed to materialise and the striker eventually penned a new long-term contract with Inter until 2026.
However it was reported last week that the north London outfit have reignited their interest in the Argentina international.
According to Calciomercato, Lautaro is facing an uncertain future in the Serie A
GETTY IMAGES
- Kostas Lianos
Arsenal’s power Serg
Arsenal have received a boost in their bid to sign Barcelona ace Sergi Roberto.
Roberto has yet to sign a new contract with Barca as his current deal expires in June.
According to Marca, the Blaugrana were due to meet the full-back’s team just after Christmas.
But the report added that the Catalan giants are prioritising other players amid their financial problems.
The Spain international is currently on the sidelines after undergoing surgery for a thigh injury
- Kostas Lianos
Chris and tell
Arsenal and Manchester United have been told they will need to cough up £62.5million for RB Leipzig star Christopher Nkunku.
According to Bild, both United and the Gunners will have to pay £62.5million for Nkunku's services.
The Red Devils may pay special interest in the forward, with interim manager Ralf Rangnick having signed him in his last act as Leipzig chief
- Kostas Lianos
More on Haaland
As mentioned below, Barcelona could wreck Arsenal's transfer plans if they miss out on Borussia Dortmund superstar Erling Haaland in the summer.
But the same goes for Chelsea as Barca could turn funds towards Sevilla ace Jules Kounde if they don't sign Haaland.
Kounde has been among the Blues' top targets to boost their defence as Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and captain Cesar Azpilicueta could become free agents in June.
According to Sport, the Blaugrana could also turn to Real Sociedad star Alexander Isak who has been linked with the Gunners
- Kostas Lianos
Barcing mad for Halland
Barcelona could wreck Arsenal's transfer plans if they miss out on Borussia Dortmund superstar Erling Haaland.
According to Sport, Barca have identified Real Sociedad star Alexander Isak as targets should they fail to land Haaland.
A move for the Isak could halt the Gunners' plans ahead of the summer transfer window.
The north Londoners have a long-standing interest in the striker after losing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to the Blaugrana.
They are also likely to see Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah becoming free agents
GETTY IMAGES - Kostas Lianos
Pay day loan
Arsenal have nine players being borrowed by other clubs and if their Transfermarkt values are anything to go by, manager Mikel Arteta could make a lot of money out of them to sign top targets.
William Saliba is the highest-valued loan star at £21.6million and if the Gunners still refuse to play him, they could look to cash in.
Matteo Guendouzi is at Marseille with Saliba and is ranked only slightly lower at £19.8m.
Hector Bellerin is at Real Betis, having replaced Tottenham ace Emerson Royal in the summer.
Another £18m-rated ace is Fiorentina's Lucas Torreira, Stuttgart's Dinos Mavropanos is listed at £15.3m, Roma's Ainsley Maitland-Niles is valued at £10.8m.
Feyenoord's Reiss Nelson could earn the north Londoners £6.3m, Pablo Mari is rated at £4.5m and Runar Alex Runarsson is currently residing at OH Leuven
- Kostas Lianos
Joao much for Felix?
Arsenal are chasing a stunning deal for Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix, ahead of the summer transfer window.
But Atletico want a whopping €120million (£100m) fee for Felix, according to El Chiringuito.
Journalist Eduardo Inda said: “Joao Felix is a very good player. Arsenal want him.
“Simeone, if he continues, wants to bring [Goncalo] Guedes. His objective is to change Felix for Guedes.
“The problem that Atletico has is that he cost €120m and recovering it is something that can only be done if he is sold to the Premier League.”
- Kostas Lianos
More from Arteta on Wilshere
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta added the following about Jack Wilshere:
"First of all, can I say thanks to Jack for all the time he has been with us because it’s been an absolute pleasure to have him back and to enjoy watching him play again.
“He has been an inspiration for all the young players here and hopefully we have helped him a bit because he had some doubts about whether to start coaching or to continue playing.
“But I think this group of players have given him the necessity to experience again on a daily basis how magnificent it is to feel like a football player.
“Jack has come a long way since we were playing together for Arsenal but I don’t think he will ever lose the spontaneity that he has, the character and all the funny moments that he produced.
“That is part of Jack but obviously he has matured a lot as the years have gone by and we wish him the best of luck”
- Kostas Lianos
Jack Wil be back
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is certain that Jack Wilshere will join his coaching staff when his playing career is over.
When asked whether he can see Wilshere returning as a future Gunners coach, Arteta said: “100 percent.
“Everybody at the club will be willing to open the doors for him and try to find a role for him that can work for everybody.
“I think that will happen naturally in the future”
GETTY IMAGES - Kostas Lianos
'It gave me a taste'
Arsenal ace Gabriel Martinelli revealed he was rejected by Manchester United when he was a teenager.
Martinelli told The Athletic: "My dad and I had watched the Premier League together, all the teams, like Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal and Leicester. I actually had four different trials at United when I was 13, 14, 15 and 16.
"This was in Manchester at the club’s training base, where I played in the same age group as Mason Greenwood and Brandon Williams, and I met first-team players, like Zlatan [Ibrahimovic], Paul Pogba, Wayne Rooney and Patrice Evra.
"There was never a moment, though, when they said they wanted me [to sign] there.
"But it give me a taste and made the adaptation a little easier because I had experienced football in England. Even after those trials, I always believed in myself. My mind is always thinking, ‘I can do it'"
- Kostas Lianos
Mik wants Fab Vic
Arsenal are interested in Napoli duo Victor Osimhen and Fabian Ruiz this summer in a £90million raid.
According to Napoli Piu, Osimhen has been identified as a potential target for the Gunners, who will need a striker after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's departure.
Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are also set to become free agents.
The Nigeria international could be joined by current team-mate Ruiz, who is fast approaching the final year of his contract
- Kostas Lianos
Barcelona eye Kieran Tierney
Barcelona are keeping tabs on Arsenal star Kieran Tierney ahead of the summer transfer window.
According to Cule Mania, Barca are keen to sign a replacement for Jordi Alba.
The report claims the Gunners left-back is joined by AC Milan's Theo Hernandez and Benfica's Alex Grimaldo on the Blaugrana's shortlist.
LaLiga rivals Real Madrid have also been previously linked with the Scotland international
- Kostas Lianos
Art of the deal
Arsenal are set to hand manager Mikel Arteta a bumper pay rise with a new £8.3million-a-year deal this summer, reports SunSport‘s Mark Irwin.
Arteta has 16 months left in his contract and the Gunners are eager to secure his long-term future at the Emirates.
Owner Stan Kroenke is keen to emphasise his confidence in the Spanish head coach by sanctioning a three-year agreement which will be worth £25m.
The 39-year-old’s current salary of £5m a year does not even compare with his former Manchester City mentor Pep Guardiola, who is on £20m a year.
The north Londoners are ready to hand a 60 per cent pay hike to Arteta, who will be on the same money Arsene Wenger was earning when he left the club in 2018
GETTY IMAGES
- Kostas Lianos
Maitland-Niles Ain’t wanted
Arsenal have been dealt a blow with Roma unwilling to permanently sign Ainsley-Maitland Niles after his loan stint ends in June.
Maitland-Niles has been guilty of inconsistent displays and was voted the worst player on the pitch on his debut against Juventus.
According to Calciomercato, the versatile midfielder’s unconvincing performances are the reason why the Giallorossi have decided against turning his temporary stay into a permanent switch.
Manager Jose Mourinho is now weighing up a summer swoop for Barcelona right-back Sergino Dest.
This comes as a blow for the Gunners, who had been hoping the Romans would cough up £12million
- Jake Lambourne
Arteta praises Smith Rowe
Mike Arteta has lauded Emile Smith Rowe following his tenth goal of the season in the 2-1 win against Brentford.
He said: "The numbers should be looking something like this and that’s not a coincidence.
"He’s working every day because he knows he has the capacity to do this."
Asked why he has improved in front of goal, he remarked: "I think it’s a combination of everything.
"He needs to feel that confidence and trust around the coaching staff, he needs his teammates, he needs to feel love, he needs the right environment around him with his family, girlfriend or whatever."
- Jake Lambourne
'It gave me a taste'
Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli has revealed he was rejected by Manchester United as a teenager.
The 20-year-old was snapped up by the Gunners in 2019 as he made the £6million move from Brazilian side Ituano.
Speaking to The Athletic, he said: "My dad and I had watched the Premier League together, all the teams, like Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal and Leicester.
"I actually had four different trials at United when I was 13, 14, 15 and 16.
"This was in Manchester at the club’s training base, where I played in the same age group as Mason Greenwood and Brandon Williams, and I met first-team players, like Zlatan (Ibrahimovic), Paul Pogba, Wayne Rooney and Patrice Evra.
"There was never a moment, though, when they said they wanted me (to sign) there.
"But it give me a taste and made the adaptation a little easier because I had experienced football in England.
"Even after those trials, I always believed in myself. My mind is always thinking, ‘I can do it.'"
- Jake Lambourne
Gunning for it
Arsenal are reportedly targeting a summer move for Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix.
And the Gunners' style of play and array of attacking talent could help get the best out of Felix, who has struggled in Diego Simeone's strict approach to games.
The signing of Felix could cost the Gunners £120million, according to El Chiringuito.
The Portugal international has 23 goals and 14 assists in 100 games for the LaLiga champions.
Felix's versatility, as well as his ability to score a wide range of different goals, justifies Atletico's desire to make a small profit on the player.
Here's how Arsenal could look with Felix.
Source: Read Full Article