Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Gunners LEADING £80m Declan Rice race, Diaby eyed as Mudryk alternative, Saliba trolls Spurs | The Sun
ARSENAL are keeping tabs on explosive winger Moussa Diaby after missing out on Mykhailo Mudyrk to Chelsea, according to reports.
But a move for the Bayer Leverkusen ace could prove to be too 'expensive' with his contract up in 2025.
Meanwhile, the North London outfit are expected to pay more than £80million for Declan Rice after making him their top transfer target.
The Gunners are increasingly confident they can land the West Ham midfielder in the summer after their fine start to this campaign.
And William Saliba has revealed that he was not all too impressed with the atmosphere in the North London derby.
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- Anthony Chapman
Train fears for Prem giants
Chelsea and Manchester United supporters are facing travel chaos for their respective fixtures at Liverpool and Arsenal this week.
That is due to Avanti West Coast delaying the release of advance tickets between London and the North West.
The train company announced earlier this month that engineering works would have a huge impact on travel between all routes to and from London’s Euston station.
That engineering work has prevented fans from booking tickets for this weekend as the train timetables have yet to be finalised.
READ MORE HERE
- Anthony Chapman
Arsenal ‘matched Chelsea’s Mudryk bid’
Arsenal matched Chelsea's £88million offer for Mykhailo Mudryk… but missed out due to the Blues' more "achievable" bonuses.
Shakhtar Donetsk’s chief executive Sergei Palkin told the Athletic: "When they (Arsenal) proposed the final offer of €70million (£62m) plus €30million (£26m) in add-ons, we sat down and started to talk internally about how it will be fulfilled in terms of the payments, the fixed part and the bonus issues.
"We realised we will not close this deal (with Arsenal). I said to Edu (the Gunners sporting director) that I did my best but it was not possible.
"These bonuses should be somehow achievable and realistic, let’s say. Therefore, in this case, Chelsea was much more serious and fair in some points.”
- Anthony Chapman
Exclusive by SunSport's Phil Cadden
Huddersfield have enquired about former Arsenal trainee Robbie Burton.
The Welshman, 23, ended his contract with Croatian club Dinamo Zagreb by mutual consent last week.
As well as Championship strugglers Huddersfield, League One duo Barnsley and Portsmouth have also asked about the availability of the midfielder, who is available as a free agent.
Burton came through the Arsenal academy before he turned down a new contract to step out of his comfort zone by leaving London for Zagreb in February 2020.
- Anthony Chapman
Jesus on road to recovery
Gabriel Jesus has given Arsenal a huge injury boost.
That's by kicking a ball around without needing crutches or a knee brace.
Jesus only went under the knife for a knee problem last month and was ruled out for at least three months by doctors.
But the Brazil striker issued an update on social media, hinting that he is making fast progress on his recovery and could return sooner than expected.
- Anthony Chapman
Gunners hailed for Mudryk stance
Emmanuel Petit believes Arsenal were correct not to enter a bidding war with Chelsea for Mykhailo Mudryk.
He told ICE 36: "I was very happy that Arsenal didn’t play Chelsea’s game when it came to Mudryk. When I look at the money that Chelsea have spent on Mudryk. Oh my goodness.
"Who is pressing the button on these deals at Chelsea? Is it the owner? Is there anyone in the club that can tell him to stop spending so much money without a strategy?
"It looks like that whenever a big club puts a bid in for a player, Chelsea get on the phone and make an offer as well! Come on! Where is the strategy?!?"
- Anthony Chapman
Gunners warned off AWB move
Ray Parlour has warned Arsenal not to make a bid for Man Utd right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
He told Lord Ping: "I don’t think Arsenal need a right-back. They have Tomiyasu, who’s an excellent player.
"I see Wan-Bissaka has been given his opportunity again for Manchester United, he's done nothing wrong.
"But at the moment I don’t think Arsenal will be going down that road."
- Anthony Chapman
Mudryk blasted over Gunners snub
Ray Parlour reckons Mhykailo Mudryk will come to regret snubbing Arsenal for Chelsea.
He told Lord Ping: "I was disappointed with Mudryk’s decision. But that comes down to money as usual. Money always plays a big part in any transfer.
"Suddenly, Chelsea would come in and say £230k a week with a big contract so I could see why he's gone there. Because he's got no allegiance with Arsenal.
"Obviously, he could have gone straight into that Arsenal team and maybe won a title in his first season. I'm not the representative or the player’s agent but money talks and that's why he's gone to Chelsea and I wish him good luck. "
- Anthony Chapman
Gunners find Mudryk transfer alternative
Arsenal could swoop for Bayer Leverkusen's Moussa Diaby after missing out on Mykhailo Mudryk.
Mikel Arteta remains keen on landing a new wide-man this month after the Ukrainian joined rivals Chelsea.
And Sky Germany claims Arsenal are now looking at a move for France winger Diaby, who has also been linked with Newcastle.
But like Mudryk, the speedster will not come cheap and is valued at £75million by Leverkusen.
- Anthony Chapman
Jose predicted Arsenal title charge
Jose Mourinho amazingly predicted Mikel Arteta would lead Arsenal back to the top just three years ago… when the Gunners were 15th in the table.
Then-Spurs boss Mourinho said: "Tactically, they are very good, they were very well organised, they were building with four, defending with five.
"They have an incredible spirit, but they gave us problems because they are a good team and he [Arteta] is a good coach.
"But I believe with these players, with Mikel, Arsenal will be Arsenal again."
- Anthony Chapman
Xhaka back in fans' favour
Arsenal fans have all been saying the same thing after a video emerged of Granit Xhaka rallying teammates before their win over Tottenham.
The midfielder put in another top performance as Arsenal cruised to victory over their rivals in the north London derby.
And supporters reckon Xhaka will fully complete his redemption arc should the Gunners go on to win the Premier League title.
SEE XHAKA'S ARSENAL VIDEO HERE
- Anthony Chapman
Midfield duo risk Arsenal suspension
Casemiro and Fred could miss Man Utd's crunch clash with Arsenal.
That's because the pair are just a booking away from suspension.
And Erik ten Hag will warn his midfielders to be on their best behaviour against Crystal Palace tomorrow night.
Mike Arteta will be keeping a close eye on proceedings as he plots revenge, with United the only side to beat Arsenal so far this season.
- Anthony Chapman
A new look for Gunners?
Arsenal may have missed out on Mykhailo Mudryk to rivals Chelsea.
But the Gunners could make amends by swooping for West Ham's Declan Rice and Juventus' Dusan Vlahovic.
The duo would certainly help boost Arsenal's chances of a first Premier League title since 2004's Invincibles.
Is this how Arsenal could line up once the January transfer window is closed?
- Gary Stonehouse
Morning, Arsenal fans
Declan Rice is tipped to be Arsenal's main summer target and Mikel Arteta has confirmed he's also keen on January recruits.
A new winger remains the Gunners' priority after Chelsea easily outbid the Premier League leaders for £88million Ukrainian Mykhailo Mudryk.
And Orlando City wideman Facundo Torres claims the Gunners have been in touch.
The Uruguayan, 24, says talks were held before the World Cup and he's still waiting to see if anything develops.
Arsenal are also tipped to step up their interest in Brighton's Leandro Trossard.
But club legend Ian Wright believes the ideal alternative to Mudryk would instead be Brazilian Raphinha.
Barcelona are reportedly willing to offload the ex-Leeds winger.
But surely the most exciting speculation for Gunners' fans concerns Rice.
Chelsea, Manchester United and City have been linked with West Ham's £80m-rated England midfielder.
Arsenal, however, are reportedly "confident" of pulling off what would be their record signing.
As for this month, boss Arteta said: “We’ve excellent players. We want to improve our squad in this transfer window.
“We’re on it but we will do the deals that we can do and that we believe is right for the club”.
- Ian Tuckey
Rice at ‘centre of £80m transfer fight’
Declan Rice has been identified as Arsenal’s top summer transfer target, reports suggest.
West Ham star Rice is entering the final year of his contract at the London Stadium this summer – although there is an optional extra year – and with their recent struggles, Rice may finally opt to jump ship.
A number of top clubs are interested in the 24-year-old, including Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal.
This summer is set to see a bidding war for the Englishman, which could see him eventually leave for £80million.
However, according to The Times, Arsenal believe they are in the strong position to sign Rice because they are the Premier League leaders.
The report indicates the Gunners remain keen on a new midfielder, and consequently have made Rice their priority.
Rice fits the mould of player targeted by Mikel Arteta in recent windows. He is young, aggressive, and has a burning desire to play in the Champions League – something Arsenal look all but certain to be able to offer next season.
Arsenal did prioritise signing a new winger this month but saw their efforts to land Mykhailo Mudryk fail after Chelsea threw a colossal package at the Ukrainian.
- Ian Tuckey
Rice at ‘centre of £80m transfer fight’
Declan Rice has been identified as Arsenal’s top summer transfer target, reports suggest.
West Ham star Rice is entering the final year of his contract at the London Stadium this summer – although there is an optional extra year – and with their recent struggles, Rice may finally opt to jump ship.
A number of top clubs are interested in the 24-year-old, including Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal.
This summer is set to see a bidding war for the Englishman, which could see him eventually leave for £80million.
However, according to The Times, Arsenal believe they are in the strong position to sign Rice because they are the Premier League leaders.
The report indicates the Gunners remain keen on a new midfielder, and consequently have made Rice their priority.
Rice fits the mould of player targeted by Mikel Arteta in recent windows. He is young, aggressive, and has a burning desire to play in the Champions League – something Arsenal look all but certain to be able to offer next season.
Arsenal did prioritise signing a new winger this month but saw their efforts to land Mykhailo Mudryk fail after Chelsea threw a colossal package at the Ukrainian.
- Ian Tuckey
Facundo reveals Gunners' talks
Uruguay winger Facundo Torres claims Arsenal held talks with his MLS club Orlando City over signing him
The ex-Penarol star, 22, is still waiting to see what will happen following the pre-World Cup discussions.
Torres told told 90min: “Orlando City confirmed to me that there was contact with Arsenal, but then I left for the World Cup and I didn’t want to hear about a potential transfer at that point.
“So the conversation stayed there but now that I am back with the team, we will see where the conversation goes.”
Torres had a superb 2022 MLS season, notching nine goals and eight assists.
- Ian Tuckey
Saliba trolls Spurs
William Saliba has revealed he was not all too impressed with the atmosphere in the North London derby.
Arsenal picked up a crucial three points away at Tottenham to strengthen their title hopes thanks to a calamitous own goal by Hugo Lloris and Martin Odegaard’s brilliant strike.
And Gunners’ defender Saliba stuck the knife in further as he trolled Tottenham fans about the atmosphere.
The home fans were largely subdued throughout most of the contest as they watched Spurs failed to compete – and Saliba noticed.
When asked to compare the derby atmosphere to what he experienced while on loan at Marseille last season, Saliba said: “No, Marseille is better.”
Spurs fans could be heard growing increasingly edgy as the first-half went on.
But Saliba is far from convinced that the Gunners’ advantage is as commanding as it looks.
The defender, 21, said: “It’s never enough. We know we have a lot of games to go. We have to be focused because things can change quickly.
“If we lose one game, after we can have no confidence, so we have to be focused on keeping going and trying to win. We focus on ourselves.”
- Ian Tuckey
‘Red Devils battle Gunners for Luiz’
Arsenal and Manchester United have joined the race to sign Real Betis winger Luiz Henrique, according to Fichajes.
The 22-year-old La Liga winger is catching the eye of a number of top clubs after bagging three goals and five assists in all competitions this season.
- Ian Tuckey
Forest confirm Danilo coup
Nottingham Forest have seen off competition from Manchester United, Arsenal and Barcelona to land Brazilian wonderkid Danilo.
Steve Cooper has pulled off an £18million coup to sign the 21-year-old Palmeiras defensive midfielder, with the help of his former team-mate Gustavo Scarpa.
Danilo, who will wear the No28 shirt, has signed a six-and a-half-year deal which commits him to Forest until the summer of 2029.
After completing his move to The City Ground, Danilo said: “I’m really happy to be fulfilling my dream of playing in the Premier League and playing for Nottingham Forest.
“I learnt a bit about the history of the Club and saw they had won two European Cups.
"I spoke to Gustavo Scarpa as well, and he told me that Nottingham is a great city and Forest have a quality squad with really good staff.
“I will show a lot of determination and a strong desire to win and will always look to do my best on the pitch to achieve positive results.
“I’m excited about getting started and meeting my new team-mates.”
- Ian Tuckey
Raphinha rated best alternative to Mudryk
Ian Wright reckons Arsenal should target Raphinha after losing out on Mykhailo Mudryk to Chelsea.
Barcelona are reportedly willing to offload ex-Leeds wideman Raphinha.
And the Gunners have also been linked with Brighton attacker Leandro Trossard.
Wrighty, though, believes Brazil star Raphinha could be the best option.
Asked if Prem leaders Arsenal should improve their squad this month, Wright told Premier League Productions: “Absolutely they do.
“It’s a shame about Mudryk… they [Chelsea] went to a level Arsenal couldn’t reach and Chelsea can. So they move again.
“There’s talk about Raphinha, that would be great, he’s played in the Premier League.
“But I think what it doesn’t do is stop what’s happening now.”
- Ian Tuckey
Saliba 'knew Arsenal would be special'
William Saliba says he saw straight away in the summer that Arsenal would do something special this season.
The France centre-back has finally emerged as a Gunners' regular after returning from his Marseille loan.
And he said: "After the summer, when I saw the team & the mentality, I tell myself. 'Yeah, we can do something this season'."
- Ian Tuckey
Rice at 'centre of £80m transfer fight'
Declan Rice has been identified as Arsenal's top summer transfer target, reports suggest.
West Ham star Rice is entering the final year of his contract at the London Stadium this summer – although there is an optional extra year – and with their recent struggles, Rice may finally opt to jump ship.
A number of top clubs are interested in the 24-year-old, including Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal.
This summer is set to see a bidding war for the Englishman, which could see him eventually leave for £80million.
However, according to The Times, Arsenal believe they are in the strong position to sign Rice because they are the Premier League leaders.
The report indicates the Gunners remain keen on a new midfielder, and consequently have made Rice their priority.
Rice fits the mould of player targeted by Mikel Arteta in recent windows. He is young, aggressive, and has a burning desire to play in the Champions League – something Arsenal look all but certain to be able to offer next season.
Arsenal did prioritise signing a new winger this month but saw their efforts to land Mykhailo Mudryk fail after Chelsea threw a colossal package at the Ukrainian.
- Ian Tuckey
Arsenal and Utd shaking up football order
It's the end of the world as we know it — and it’s extraordinarily good fun, writes DAVE KIDD.
At the halfway stage of the Premier League season, the state of the nation is a state of unprecedented flux.
Three of England’s four Champions League places look very likely to change hands.
Three fully-established top-flight clubs occupy the relegation places — West Ham, Southampton and Everton, an ever-present since 1954.
Fulham, Brighton and Brentford all sit proudly in the top eight, above Liverpool and Chelsea.
Arsenal and Manchester United could face off on Sunday as the top two in the league, with Newcastle tucked in behind them as if it’s 1997 all over again.
This wasn’t supposed to happen. Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City and Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool were meant to be continuing their duopoly — two truly great teams dominating the English game as they’d done for the previous five years.
And while the resurgence of Arsenal under Mikel Arteta and United under Erik ten Hag have been thrilling tales of the unexpected, neither would be sitting so loftily without the collapse of one empire and the alarming cracks beginning to show in another.
Suddenly, both Liverpool and City have lost a lot of what made them so great. Liverpool are no longer dynamic, manic pressing, never-knowingly-beaten "mentality monsters". And City aren’t quite the pass-you-to-death, liquid-football, Barcelona-built model we are used to.
For Klopp, it feels terminal. For Guardiola, it is too early to say.
FOR DAVE KIDD'S FULL VERDICT, CLICK HERE
- Ian Tuckey
Arsenal versus United – key battles
It is the latest installment of the ‘Pizzagate’ derby on Sunday when Arsenal host Manchester United – and there will be key battles all over the park.
Not least how the Gunners’ re-imagined right-back Ben White copes with red-hot Red Devils’ forward Marcus Rashford cutting in from the left-hand side to wreak havoc.
Arsenal are no slouches in attack themselves, of course, but perhaps key for them will be another dominant display from their latest centre-of-the-park phenom Martin Odegaard.
If the purring Norwegian wins the battle against United’s wily Portuguese schemer Bruno Fernandes the Gunners may just take another giant step towards the Prem title.
‘Pizzagate’, for all you teenagers out there, saw former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas (allegedly) lob a slice at United’s legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson after a bad-tempered clash at Old Trafford in 2004. True story. Look it up.
- Ian Tuckey
Torres in 'Arsenal talks'
Uruguay winger Facundo Torres claims Arsenal held talks with his MLS club Orlando City over signing him
The ex-Penarol star, 22, is still waiting to see what will happen following the pre-World Cup discussions.
Torres told told 90min: “Orlando City confirmed to me that there was contact with Arsenal, but then I left for the World Cup and I didn’t want to hear about a potential transfer at that point.
“So the conversation stayed there but now that I am back with the team, we will see where the conversation goes."
Torres had a superb 2022 MLS season, notching nine goals and eight assists.
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