Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Zinchenko twist AFTER full agreement reached, Lucas Paqueta BOOST, Arthur Melo in talks | The Sun

OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO'S transfer to Arsenal has take a fresh twist with the Ukraine star weighing up whether to join the Gunners – or stay to fight for his place at Manchester City.

The champions are happy with the Gunners offer of £30 million plus £2m add-ons for the versatile player.Personal terms are in place on a four-year deal but the ink is not dry on the deal just yet.

Elsewhere, the Gunners have reportedly been handed a huge boost in their quest to sign Lucas Paqueta after Lyon slashed their asking price by £21million.

Meanwhile, reports suggest Arsenal are preparing to prize Leroy Sane away from Bayern Munich this summer.

The Germany winger has admitted he is a huge fan of Mikel Arteta's coaching, from their time working together at Man City.

IN: Marquinhos, Fabio Vieira, Matt Turner, Gabriel Jesus
OUT: Alexandre Lacazette (released)

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  • Sam Dymond

    How Gunners could line up

    Arsenal fans are eagerly anticipating the season opener with a lot more excitement than this time a year ago.

    Many feel Mikel Arteta's new-look team will pick itself, but there are still some areas up for debate.

    Will the Spaniard favour Gabriel Martinelli in attack over Emile Smith Rower?

    Where will Oleksandr Zinchenko be deployed?

    And who will partner Gabriel in defence?

  • Sam Dymond

    Battle of the flying forwards

    It's just 17 days until Arsenal kick-off the new Premier League season with a London derby at Crystal Palace.

    And it's a game that's already being billed as a battle between flying forwards Wilfried Zaha and Bukayo Saka.

    Both players are electric operators in attack, and are sure to be central to the success of their clubs this season.

    Here's how they compared throughout the last campaign.

  • Sam Dymond

    Emile: UCL disappointment will drive us

    Emile Smith Rowe hopes that Arsenal can use the despair of missing out on Champions League forward to push them to glory next season.

    The Gunners missed out on the top four last term despite being well-placed in March.

    However, six defeats in their last 12 games including a 3-0 humbling at rivals Tottenham ultimately cost them a crack at Europe's stellar competition.

    “It’s definitely tough looking back on it, it was in our hands," the England international told the Evening Standard.

    “The Spurs game was tough. It wasn’t a nice atmosphere [in the dressing room]. All of the boys were down.

    “The manager picked us up and we had another chance after that, but it didn’t go our way in the end.

    "Going forward, we have just got to stick together as a team. We are a young team, we are still getting there. It’s fuel for us going forward and we can’t wait to start the season.”

  • Sam Dymond

    Transfer watch: Zinchenko to Arsenal?

    Reports are emerging that Oleksandr Zinchenko is expected to leave Manchester City's training camp later today in order to finalise his move to Arsenal.

    His medical at London Colney is expected to take place in the next few days.

    This one is only a matter of time.

    Rumour rating: ⚽️ ⚽️ ⚽️ ⚽️ ⚽️

  • Sam Dymond

    Transfer watch: Leno to Fulham?

    Negotiations between Arsenal and Fulham continue over Bernd Leno, but the clubs are still some way off in their valuation of the goalkeeper.

    The Gunners are holding out for £15m, while the Cottagers – who Leno wishes to join – are only prepared to pay £10m.

    It is thought that Fulham's flirtation with breaching Financial Fair Play is a factor in their offer.

    Rumour rating: ⚽️ ⚽️ ⚽️

  • Sam Dymond

    Tavares rejects Marseille loan move

    Arsenal outcast Nuno Tavares has rejected the chance to join Marseille on a season-long loan.

    The Mirror report that the Portuguese youngster would prefer to remain at the Emirates and fight for his place in the first team.

    However, the imminent arrival of Oleksandr Zinchenko is likely to mean Tavares drops even further down the pecking order.

    While the Ukrainian is being brought in as a midfielder, his ability to play at left-back will offer cover when Kieran Tierney is injured.

    Sport Witness reported earlier this week that the Gunners are keen to move Tavares on before the close of the transfer window.

  • Sam Dymond

    Gunners closing in on Zinchenko

    Oleksandr Zinchenko WILL be an Arsenal player in the coming days with the deal's paperwork currently being prepared.

    The Gunners have agreed a fee of £30m with Manchester City for the Ukrainian, and personal terms are not considered an issue with the player eager to work with Mikel Arteta again.

    Fabrizio Romano has revealed that the Londoners are busy finalising official contracts and scheduling a medical for the 25-year-old.

  • Sam Dymond

    Lyon lower Lucas asking price

    Arsenal's hopes of signing Lucas Paqueta have been boosted by the news that Lyon will lower their asking price for the Brazilian.

    The Gunners were previously quoted €65m for the attacking midfielder – but Media Foot now suggest that a bid in the region of €40m will tempt the Ligue 1 club into doing business.

    However, the Londoners face competition from Premier League rivals Newcastle United.

    The Toon Army notoriously pipped Arsenal to the signing of Bruno Guimaraes back in January, and may now use the player's status as Paqueta's compatriot, former teammate and friend to lure the playmaker to the north-east.

  • Gary Stonehouse

    Morning, Arsenal fans

    Oleksandr Zinchenko will have the final say on joining the Gunners and top target Youri Tielemans is also talking over his future.

    Manchester City are happy with Arsenal's £30million bid for left-back Zinchenko.

    But the Ukraine ace must now decide if he wants to stay at the Etihad to fight for his place.

    Tielemans, meanwhile, is tipped to hold discussions with Foxes' boss Brendan Rodgers.

    The Belgium midfielder has declined to extend his contract beyond next season.

    Manchester United, as well as the Gunners, are said to be keen on the 25-year-old.

    Valencia are still hovering for Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira.

    The Uruguay midfield star, 26, was loaned to Fiorentina last season and seems unlikely to break into Mikel Arteta’s plans.

    Finally, Gabriel Jesus's representatives say the Gunners had to beat off eleventh-hour interest from Chelsea to sign the Brazil striker.

  • Ian Tuckey

    Juventus keen on Magalhaes

    Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhaes and Villarreal star Pau Torres are reportedly on Juventus’ four-man shortlist to replace Bayern Munich-bound Matthijs de Ligt.

    German champs Bayern sealed a £68m deal for Holland hero De Ligt despite earlier interest from Manchester United and Chelsea.

    Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri is looking to bring in a replacement quickly, after also losing Giorgio Chiellini join LAFC on a free transfer.

    The Serie A giants are known to be interested in Brazilian Gabriel.

    And now Mundo Deportivo has stated that the ex-Lille man is one of four players on Juve’s radar.

    Along with Gabriel, it has been said that Spain international Torres is a possible option.

  • Ian Tuckey

    Oleksandr weighs up Arsenal move

    Oleksandr Zinchenko is weighing up whether to take a new challenge at Arsenal – or stay to fight for his place at Manchester City, writes MARTIN BLACKBURN.

    The champions are happy with the Gunners offer of around £30 million for the versatile Ukraine international.

    But the 25-year-old has yet to agree to a move to North London – where he would link up with his former City coach Mikel Arteta.

    In the past, Zinchenko has turned down moves to Wolves and Napoli as he preferred to stay at the Etihad where he knows he will win trophies.

    He is currently with Pep Guardiola’s squad on their two-match US tour and has been playing a full part in training and the community activities.

    He even gave an interview to City’s website about the preparations for the new season from their training base here in Houston.

    Zinchenko said: “The target now is to try and build up our physical conditions and the tactical side of things.

    “There are a lot of different things (to work on) obviously after a long vacation, a little bit more than three weeks.

    “Now it’s time to work, to be ready and prepare ourselves as much and as well as we can."

  • Ian Tuckey

    Qatar to ease vaccine rules for World Cup

    QATAR World cup chiefs are set to allow unvaccinated players to avoid quarantine this November, writes MARTIN LIPTON.

    But players who have not had the latest jab will have to take extra tests throughout their stay in the Gulf state.

    Phil Foden and John Stones’ absence from Manchester City’s US tour, following on from Chelsea confirming Ruben Loftus-Cheek and N’Golo Kante had stayed in the Uk as a direct result of their vaccination status, had led to concerns the Etihad duo might fall foul of Qatari laws.

    They currently demand five days of quarantine for any unvaccinated arrivals in the country.

    With the short break between the end of domestic football on November 13 and England’s opening game against Iran just eight days later, any enforced quarantine would have effectively forced unvaccinated players out of the first group game through lack of proper preparation.

    But Fifa has stepped in with the Qataris to broker a deal likely to be confirmed before the start of the tournament on November 21.

    Just as in December’s Arab Cup, staged in Doha, it is now understood that World Cup squad members are likely to be excused the quarantine spell as long as they take rapid antigen tests upon their arrival in the country, then every three days and before every match.

    The news would be a relief for England boss Gareth Southgate, who views Stones and Foden as key members of his squad.

  • Ian Tuckey

    'United and Arsenal target' Tielemans set for Foxes talks

    Leicester midfielder Youri Tielemans will sit down with manager Brendan Rodgers this week to discuss his future with the club.

    The Belgian international has a year remaining on his current deal at the King Power, and has so far refused any suggestion of an extension.

    He has been strongly linked with both Arsenal and Manchester United, and was expected to be the focus of a summer bidding war.

    However, offers are yet to materialise, and the 25-year-old is now open to discussing his options with the Foxes hierarchy.

  • Ian Tuckey

    Mikel keen to sort out captaincy dilemma

    Mikel Arteta has vowed to stamp out Arsenal’s captaincy problems after three years of chaos surrounding the Emirates leadership group.

    Norwegian skipper Martin Odegaard is the favourite to inherit the armband following Alex Lacazette’s recent return to Lyons.

    And Arteta is determined to bring some stability to a job which has been diminished by the recent actions of Granit Xhaka, Mesut Ozil, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Laurent Koscielny.

    He admitted: “The captaincy is a topic which has been discussed a lot, especially externally, and that hasn’t helped.

    “Obviously the situation has not been very consistent with a lot of behavioural problems within those groups. That’s something we want to resolve to bring really strong leadership within the team.

    “I am very clear about how I want it. I don’t want one figurehead, I believe more in a leadership group. But in the end someone has to lead and direct others and that is really important.

    “The most important thing for a captain is that when you talk, they listen to you. He doesn’t have to be talking all the time but he has to be able to transmit his ideas in a powerful way. If you don’t have the quality to inspire people to get behind you, you cannot be a captain.”

  • Ian Tuckey

    Blues fancied Jesus too

    Arsenal saw off a last-ditch bid from Chelsea to seal the signing of Gabriel Jesus, according to the player’s agent.

    Marcelo Pettinati has admitted that the Blues came in with an eleventh hour offer for the Brazilian forward.

    However, the 25-year-old has already bought into Mikel Arteta long-term vision, and had his heart set on a move to the Emirates.

    “Chelsea were one of the teams that tried to hijack the Arsenal move,” revealed Pettinati.

    “They tried very hard in the final days to get him. By that point, we’d already chosen our new project.”

    Following the transfer, Thomas Tuchel’s team turned their attention to another Manchester City forward, Raheem Sterling.

  • Ian Tuckey

    Hammers close on Broja and Lingard

    West Ham are closing on Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard, Chelsea striker Armando Broja and Monaco anchorman Amadou Onana.

    The Hammers could pay around £7.5million for former loan sensation Lingard.

    Albania ace Broja is tipped for the London Stadium in at least a loan deal.

    But the Hammers are still said to fancy a permanent move.

    And the Standard say West Ham chief David Moyes is ready to make a third bid for Onana that could be worth £30m with add-ons.

  • Ian Tuckey

    'Zinchenko agrees 4-year deal'

    Manchester City left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko has reportedly agreed a four-year Arsenal contract.

    The Athletic's David Ornstein says the Ukraine star's move is now all sorted, presuming he passes a medical.

    MORE TO FOLLOW

  • Ian Tuckey

    Saka representatives continue talks with the Gunners

    Arsenal officials remain locked in discussion with Bukayo Saka’s representatives over a mega new deal.

    Fabrizio Romano reveals that talks between the two parties have been ‘going on since February.’

    The England international’s current deal runs out in 2024, and CaughtOffside’s transfers expert believes the player will soon be valued at over €100m.

    With other Premier League clubs interested in swooping for the 20-year-old, a breakthrough in negotiations is seen as essential.

    Romano continues: “Arsenal consider Saka a key player and think his contract extension is like a new signing, it is a priority for this summer.”

  • Ian Tuckey

    Valencia ready to 'wait' for Torreira

    Valencia are still hovering for Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira.

     The Uruguay midfielder, 26, was loaned to Fiorentina last season and seems out of Mikel Arteta's plans at the Emirates.

    And Spanish outlet AS claim Valencia ‘will wait’ for Torreira, who is on tour with the Gunners in the USA.

  • Ian Tuckey

    Martinez happy with Arsenal's Brazilian influx

    Arsenal attacker Gabriel Martinez is delighted they have signed two more Brazilians in Gabriel Jesus and Marqhinhos.

    Portuguese starlet Fabio Vieira is Mikel Arteta's other summer recruit so far, with Ukraine left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko arriving soon.

    Martinez said: "It’s good to have a lot of  Brazilians players here. Gabi and Marquinhos are new, they’re good guys to have here.

    "All the players like them as well. I think it’s going to be an amazing season for us."

    And asked if he could help the duo settle in, the 21-year-old said: "I’m still young, you know!

    "But yeah of course, whatever I can do to help them, I’m going to do. It’s a pleasure to help them."

  • Ian Tuckey

    Ramsey 'ready to rip up huge Juve contract'

    Arsenal legend Aaron Ramsey wants to settle the final year of his contract with Juventus so that he can join another club for free, reports suggest.

    The Daily Mail claim ex-Rangers loaneeRamsey, 31, is prepared to rip up his £400,000-a-week Juve deal.

    The Wales midfielder wants to play regular first-team football ahead of the winter's 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

    The ex-Arsenal star spent the second half of last season on loan at Rangers and wants to become a free agent to join another club in the summer.

    The midfielder has struggled under Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri and expressed his dissatisfaction with the Italian tactician's training methods in October.

    Ramsey previously said: "The training philosophy and methods are different in my club from when I’m with Wales."

  • Ian Tuckey

    Hammers close on Broja and Lingard

    West Ham are closing on Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard, Chelsea striker Armando Broja and Monaco anchorman Amadou Onana.

    The Hammers could pay around £7.5million for former loan sensation Lingard.

    Albania ace Broja is tipped for the London Stadium in at least a loan deal.

    But the Hammers are still said to fancy a permanent move.

    And the Standard say West Ham chief David Moyes is ready to make a third bid for Onana that could be worth £30m with add-ons.

  • Ian Tuckey

    Gunners have Arthur chance of landing Juve ace

    Arsenal are monitoring Arthur as he looks set to be left out of Juventus' pre-season tour, reports suggest.

    The Gunners have been linked with the midfielder for some time and nearly agreed a two-season loan with an obligation to buy in January.

    But with no guarantees of Champions League football, which they failed to earn, the North Londoners were restricted by their budget.

    According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal have rekindled their interest as Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri is likely to omit the Brazil international from the squad for the US tour.

    Allegri reportedly wants a midfielder with a different style and showed that with the return of Paul Pogba from Manchester United.

    The Bianconeri appear happy to sell or even loan the 25-year-old during the summer transfer window.

  • Ian Tuckey

    New left-back coming zin

    Arsenal are on the brink of signing Oleksandr Zinchenko after agreeing a fee for the Manchester City star.

    Mikel Arteta has had his eye on the Ukraine international for much of the summer after working him at City.

    According to journalist Fabrizio Romano City accepted a £30million bud from the Gunners on Friday.

    And now Arsenal are hoping the deal can be concluded by the end of the week with Zinchecko said to be keen on the move.

    He is set to follow in the footsteps of Gabriel Jesus after the Brazilian completed a transfer to Arsenal in June.

    But the 25-year-old still needs to agree personal terms with contract details reportedly being discussed.

    Zinchenko will solve Arteta's need for a new midfielder and that could mean the club end their interest in Youri Tielemans. But Zinchenko is also effective at left-back having played that role regularly for the Citizens.

    And that means he will provide cover for Kieran Tierney with the Scot likely to miss the first match of the season. Zinchenko's arrival would take Arsenal’s summer spending to £115million following the signings of Gabriel Jesus, Fabio Vieira, Marquinhos and Matt Turner.

  • Ian Tuckey

    Blues fancied Jesus too

    Arsenal saw off a last-ditch bid from Chelsea to seal the signing of Gabriel Jesus, according to the player’s agent.

    Marcelo Pettinati has admitted that the Blues came in with an eleventh hour offer for the Brazilian forward.

    However, the 25-year-old has already bought into Mikel Arteta long-term vision, and had his heart set on a move to the Emirates.

    “Chelsea were one of the teams that tried to hijack the Arsenal move,” revealed Pettinati.

    “They tried very hard in the final days to get him. By that point, we’d already chosen our new project.”

    Following the transfer, Thomas Tuchel’s team turned their attention to another Manchester City forward, Raheem Sterling.

    Source: Read Full Article