Arsenal tracking £13m Bellerin replacement, Roma want Xhaka, Gunners lead Sterling race, Andre Onana LATEST
ARSENAL are in talks with representatives of Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana, according to numerous sources.
The Gunners are also the frontrunners in the race for England's Raheem Sterling, SunSport can exclusively reveal.
We've the latest on Albert Lokonga, while Martin Odegaard is set to cost the Gunners £50m.
Follow all the latest from North London with our live blog below…
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- Etienne Fermie
KOU WANTS ME?
LaLiga clubs Barcelona and Real Madrid have joined the race for highly-rated Sevilla defender Jules Kounde, according to reports.
The 22-year-old has also been linked with Premier League sides Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal in recent months.
According to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona have been monitoring Kounde for two years and now want to sign him.
But the Catalan giants are said to be struggling to afford the player's rumoured €75million release clause – around £64.5m.
It is believed Sergio Aguero's new club may offer some players as part of a swap deal to help fund a move.
Kounde's international colleague Samuel Umtiti is rumoured to be one of those stars Barca manager Ronald Koeman is happy to let go.
Real Madrid are also thought to be keeping a close eye on the Sevilla defender as they may need to replace Raphael Varane this summer.
The four-time Champions League winner is entering the final year of his contract at the Bernabeu, with both United and Chelsea rumoured to be interested.
Jules Kounde has been a rock at the back for Sevilla - Etienne Fermie
TOP TIER
Arsenal star Kieran Tierney played 69 minutes, as Scotland drew 2-2 with the Netherlands last night.
The talented defender, 23, started on the left of a back three, as Steve Clarke's side gear up for Euro 2020.
Such was the quality of his performance, that he was named man of the match by the BBC.
Kieran Tierney produced another top display for his countryCredit: Reuters - Etienne Fermie
TOP TIER
Arsenal star Kieran Tierney played 69 minutes, as Scotland drew 2-2 with the Netherlands last night.
The talented defender, 23, started on the left of a back three, as Steve Clarke's side gear up for Euro 2020.
Such was the quality of his performance, that he was named man of the match by the BBC.
Kieran Tierney produced another top display for his countryCredit: Reuters
- Etienne Fermie
TOP TIER
Arsenal star Kieran Tierney played 69 minutes, as Scotland drew 2-2 with the Netherlands last night.
The talented defender, 23, started on the left of a back three, as Steve Clarke's side gear up for Euro 2020.
Such was the quality of his performance, that he was named man of the match by the BBC.
Kieran Tierney produced another top display for his countryCredit: Reuters - Etienne Fermie
BUK THE TREND
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka netted England's winner against Austria last night, as Gareth Southgate's side won 1-0 at Riverside Stadium.
And the Gunners teen labelled it 'the moment I always dreamt of growing up'.
- Marc Mayo
GOOD MORNING GUNNERS FANS
Arsenal target Andre Onana had his 12-month doping ban appeal heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on Wednesday.
And the outcome could reportedly cost suitors Arsenal £6million.
Should Onana's ban be upheld, then the Gunners would be able to sign the shot-stopper for just £1.7million, according to Dutch publication NOS.
However is the ban is lifted or shortened, then the North Londoners would have to fork out £7.75m.
Meanwhile, Arsenal have reportedly been offered Cengiz Under or Amadou Diawara in Roma's bid to sign Granit Xhaka.
Gazzetta Italia claims the Swiss midfielder is valued at £17million by the Gunners.
And Jose Mourinho’s new side hope to avoid a cash payment by making a straight player swap this summer.
In other news, Arsenal are reportedly weighing up a move to bring Lille right-back Zeki Celik to the Emirates as a replacement for Hector Bellerin.
The Standard claims Turkey international Celik has been identified by Mikel Arteta after leading Lille to Ligue 1 title glory.
The ace could cost just £13million.
And that would also be offset by Bellerin’s transfer fee, with Real Betis understood to be lining him up.
Finally, Emile Smith Rowe is a reported shock target for Aston Villa.
The Telegraph claims Dean Smith is interested in the versatile playmaker, who is out of contract in 2023.
Arsenal want to hand Smith Rowe a new deal but Villa are ready to pounce should talks continue to make little progress.
- Anthony Chapman
SAM’S TOWN
Arsenal are reportedly eyeing up a summer swoop for Anderlecht's highly-rated midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga.
Belgian news outlet Nieuwsblad have stated that he would be a cheaper alternative to Brighton’s Yves Bissouma, valued at £40million.
With just one year left on Lokonga's contract, Anderlecht are willing to part ways should they receive an offer between £13m-£17m.
- Anthony Chapman
ENGLAND 1 AUSTRIA 0
England got their Euro 2020 adventure off to a good start with a 1-0 friendly win over Austria.
Bukayo Saka scored the only goal of the game as the Three Lions saw off David Alaba and Co at the Riverside.
But the result came at a cost as Trent Alexander-Arnold hobbled off injured near the final whistle.
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- Anthony Chapman
ROWE YOUR BOAT
Emile Smith Rowe is a reported shock target for Aston Villa.
The Telegraph claims Dean Smith is interested in the versatile playmaker, who is out of contract in 2023.
Arsenal want to hand Smith Rowe a new deal but Villa are ready to pounce should talks continue to make little progress.
- Anthony Chapman
CEL BY DATE
Arsenal are reportedly weighing up a move to bring Lille right-back Zeki Celik to the Emirates as a replacement for Hector Bellerin.
The Standard claims Turkey international Celik has been identified by Mikel Arteta after leading Lille to Ligue 1 title glory.
The ace could cost just £13million.
And that would also be offset by Bellerin’s transfer fee, with Real Betis understood to be lining him up.
- Anthony Chapman
ONANA, WHAT’S MY NAME?
Arsenal target Andre Onana had his 12-month doping ban appeal heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on Wednesday.
And the outcome could reportedly cost suitors Arsenal £6million.
Should Onana's ban be upheld, then the Gunners would be able to sign the shot-stopper for just £1.7million, according to Dutch publication NOS.
However is the ban is lifted or shortened, then the North Londoners would have to fork out £7.75m.
- Anthony Chapman
TEAM NEWS
Jesse Lingard has been named in England's team to face Austria despite not being picked for the Euros.
Gareth Southgate has also gone for Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham and Jack Grealish in an attacking line-up.
The likes of Conor Coady, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kieran Trippier areinvolved too.
But it is unclear whether the Three Lions boss has plumped for a four or a five-man defence.
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- Anthony Chapman
TIER THREE
Kieran Tierney has come third in Arsenal's Player of the Season vote.
The Scottish left-back only played 38 times this season after injury setbacks.
But his performances were still brilliant, with fans voting him into third place.
- Anthony Chapman
EXCLUSIVE BY DAVE FRASER AND PAUL JIGGINS
Arsenal are leading the race to sign Raheem Sterling in a deal that could see Harry Kane's move to Manchester City scuppered.
Pep Guardiola is hoping to to sign Kane by offering Sterling and Gabriel Jesus to Spurs in exchange.
But with the Gunners keen on England ace Sterling, Pep’s Kane bid could now be under threat.
- Anthony Chapman
UNDER-RATED
Arsenal have reportedly been offered Cengiz Under or Amadou Diawara in Roma's bid to sign Granit Xhaka.
Gazzetta Italia claims the Swiss midfielder is valued at £17million by the Gunners.
And Jose Mourinho’s new side hope to avoid a cash payment by making a straight player swap this summer.
- Anthony Chapman
FAN’S VIEW
Kieran Tierney’s unfamiliar Scotland role can propel him towards the Arsenal captaincy.
The left-back is set to play in a central position as part of a back three at the Euros.
And carrying such huge responsibility can set Tierney on the path to becoming Arsenal’s new vocal leader.
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- Anthony Chapman
EXCLUSIVE BY JOSHUA JONES
William Gallas believes Mikel Arteta’s time at Arsenal is OVER.
Branding the Spaniard’s appointment a ‘mistake’, Gallas told SunSport: “Mikel Arteta was not ready yet to manage a club like Arsenal.
“OK, he was assistant coach at Manchester City. But he had never managed a team. It is completely different.
“The board made a mistake picking him. I'm sure he will be a great manager but you need to have experience to manage a big club.
“To be honest, it is a great shame for the Arsenal fans after finishing eighth.
“Arsenal is not the same Arsenal we knew 18, 20 years ago. We had players who were strong with strong personalities.”
- Anthony Chapman
LION HEARTS
Gareth Southgate will have a limited squad to choose from when England face Austria tonight.
Stars from Chelsea, Man United and Man City are set to be given the evening off after their European exploits.
And that could see Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka start in attack after he was named in Southgate’s Euros squad.
- Kostas Lianos
ODE TO JOY
Martin Odegaard could be allowed to return to Arsenal next season on loan, according to reports.
Odegaard spent the second half of the campaign on loan to the Gunners from Real Madrid and manager Mikel Arteta wants to sign him on a permanent deal.
The 22-year-old playmaker impressed at the Emirates but his future will depend on new boss Carlo Ancelotti, who replaced Zinedine Zidane.
According to reports in Spain, the Norway international will be allowed to head out on loan again, but it all depends on which other players leave the club first
GETTY IMAGES - Kostas Lianos
ROUD-TING FOR OLIVIER
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has warned Chelsea not to let Olivier Giroud go in the summer.
Henry told Goal: “In the past three or four years it seems like he’s struggling for starts with his team at club level, but whenever he plays – whether it’s at club level or in the national team – he often delivers.
“Olivier is the type of striker that is kind of dying right now. The old school, holding the ball up, passing the ball to the winger, getting into the box and breaking your neck to score with a header.
“But what I like is how he puts people in a game. He’s very good, he will give the assist sometimes when you link up with him on a one-two”
- Kostas Lianos
TAP OUT
Arsenal have pulled out of the bidding war to sign Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba
According to the Daily Express, Tapsoba has been closely linked with the Gunners as manager Mikel Arteta is looking to strengthen his defence.
However, the north Londoners' hopes of signing him seem to have ran out because they cannot afford Leverkusen's financial demands.
Chelsea and Manchester United are also interested in signing the Burkina Faso international
- Kostas Lianos
SHEAR THING
Premier League Hall of Famer Alan Shearer has praised Arsenal ace Bukayo Saka and compared him with Chelsea's Mason Mount.
Shearer told the Premier League's YouTube channel: “Next on our shortlist is Bukayo Saka. This lad has been played all across this Arsenal team, excelling at left-back, in midfield and on the wing.
“Like Mason Mount, his end product needs to be worked on, but he makes up for that with crisp passing and fantastic defensive work.
"The question with Saka is what is his best position? He’s got what it takes to have a great career, but where will we see the best of him going forward?”
- Kostas Lianos
WOW FACTOR
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry heaped praise on Bukayo Saka, with whom he worked during his brief spell as the Gunners' Under-18s manager.
Henry told Goal: “You could see that he wanted to run at people, he wanted the ball, he was brave on the ball.
“It was too early to tell and when I saw him breaking into the first team because it was after I left.
“I was like: Wow, it’s amazing. I always liked the attitude of the kid, his commitment. And what I like about him is he cares about his club, and he will do whatever to make sure that the team wins”
- Kostas Lianos
SAK ATTACK
Arsenal have congratulated their young winger Bukayo Saka on his PFA nomination.
Saka has been nominated for the Men’s PFA Young Player of the Year award.
The 19-year-old enjoyed an impressive season which saw him amassing seven goals and 10 assists in 46 matches across all competitions.
The England international is now set for action in Euro 2020
- Kostas Lianos
PFA AWARDS
Arsenal ace Bukayo Saka has been nominated for the Men's PFA Young Player of the Year award.
Saka has been named on the shortlist alongside some of the Premier League's top young stars.
Liverpool ace Trent Alexander-Arnold, West Ham star Declan Rice, Chelsea player Mason Mount, Manchester City wonderkid Phil Foden and Manchester United's Mason Greenwood also made the shortlist.
A major representation for the Gunners after a turbulent season
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