Arsenal have wasted no time during the first few weeks of the summer transfer window.
Mikel Arteta's side have already shelled out over £200million to bring in Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber and Kai Havertz as they look to close the gap on Premier League champions Manchester City. The Spaniard has hinted that the Gunners may even make additional signings, with Akax starlet Mohammed Kudus the latest player mooted as a potential target.
The likes of Aurelien Tchouameni and Romeo Lavia have also been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium considering holding midfielder Thomas Partey's future in north London remains uncertain. The Ghana international isn't the only player that could be on his way out either, with Kieran Tierney, Nicolas Pepe and Folarin Balogun all rumoured to have garnered interest from other clubs.
So with all of that being said, keep today's blog on lock throughout the day as we bring you all the latest Arsenal transfer news as it drops LIVE.
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According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal are interested in Kudus, whose versatility is viewed as a 'particularly attractive' quality to the club's recruitment staff. The Ghanian has predominantly operated as a centre-forward or a right-winger for the Dutch outfit, but he's been known to play as an attacking midfield and even eight at times.
The report states that Kudus is also of interest to Brighton, but his desire to continue playing in the Champions League and fight for the Premier League title could emerge as a deciding factor. While Arsenal may seem well-positioned to secure his signature, the Daily Mail add that the club need to sell some players before any more additions can be made.
In fact, it's said that Edu has made six stars available for transfer this summer; Kieran Tierney; Cedric Soares; Nicolas Pepe; Albert Lokonga; Nuno Tavares; Rob Holding. According to the CIES Football Observatory, the six aforementioned players are worth a combined £68.2million which could be more than enough to acquire Kudus.
Mikel Arteta has revealed where Declan Rice will improve Arsenal most following his record-breaking transfer from West Ham. The Gunners boss said: "He’s got the physical qualities that we’ve been missing for a while, that’s why we had to do what we had to do to get him, because he’s really important for us.
"A while ago we spoke about players that could complement each other, give us more flexibility, more depth and more quality, and take a winning hunger into the team with players who really want to push themselves to a different level.
"I see him like a lighthouse, he will light (up) the others and improve the others, and make the team better. The way he talks, the ambition he has and the passion for the game is exactly what we need."
Wayne Rooney believes Arsenal have signed a player "at the top of his game" in Declan Rice after his £105million move to the Emirates Stadium was confirmed. The Manchester United legend is set to manage the MLS All-Stars in a pre-season friendly against the Gunners on Thursday.
"I think he’s a huge signing for Arsenal - he’s a fantastic player with a great mentality, young," said Rooney. "Arsenal have got a player at the top of his game and I think he’ll bring a great character in the dressing room.
"He could be captain of Arsenal. He’s a player who Arsenal needed and they’ve certainly got a top player."
Aaron Ramsdale believes that Arsenal could 'surprise a few people' in the Champions League this season. The 25-year-old goalkeeper played a significant role for Mikel Arteta's side in the Premier League title race last season, missing out on top spot to Manchester City by just five points.
In an interview with TNT Sports, who have recently rebranded from BT Sports, he set out the Gunners' ambitions for the European competition.
"We'll wait and see when we go in and I think we all know pretty much our target," said Ramsdale. "From the last season, we want to go one better. We also want to carry on doing well in the league, qualify for the Champions League again, do well in the Champions League."
Before outlining the need for more signings, he added: "So we'll refine them once we get in and we have our meetings, but I think it's pretty obvious with the signings we've made, more signings hopefully we can make. Last year hopefully it wasn't just a fluke. We want to go one better and challenge again."
Arsenal appear to have entered the market for a new defender this summer. According to Spanish newspaper Nacional, as quoted by Football365, the Gunners are ready to 'present a formal proposal' to Real Madrd for David Alaba.
The report states that the defender is 'very happy' at the Santiago Bernabeu so a deal could be difficult to complete. It's said that Mikel Arteta is 'confident that he can reach an agreement' with Alaba, with the Premier League an 'attractive' destination.
Football365 add that the Arsenal boss will 'promise' the Austrian that he will be an 'indispensable piece' of his starting lineup.
William Saliba has opened up on his relationship with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta. Saliba joined the north London club back in the summer of 2019 but he had to wait three years before making his official debut with the first team, developing on loan in Ligue 1 over three loan spells instead.
It was in his 2021/22 campaign with Marseille that he grabbed the most headlines, performing consistently in the heart of the French side's defence as he earned the Ligue 1 young player of the year award. He then returned to London Colney last summer but he was met with little in the way of lengthy conversations from Arteta.
"I was so excited to do a pre-season with the team and to try to play in the Premier League and the Europa League," the 22-year-old told The Daily Mail. "He said hello to me the first day and then after he didn't speak with me. Not for a week."
Manchester City are interested in signing Barcelona winger Raphinha, according to French outlet Foot Mercato.
It is claimed that Pep Guardiola's side want to recruit Raphinha if Riyad Mahrez ends up leaving for a Saudi Arabian side during the summer transfer window. The Brazilian international only joined Barcelona last summer, when the Catalan giants beat Arsenal and Chelsea in the race to sign him from Leeds United.
The talented attacker was the subject of a £35million offer from Gunners in June 2022, as per the Athletic, although this was rejected by Leeds before it emerged that the Blues were willing to pay the £55million to sign him. But a move to Stamford Bridge didn't materialise as the player made it clear his preference was the Blaugrana.
Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is joining Ligue 1 side Marseille on a free transfer, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano. Aubameyang played at Arsenal for four years, winning an FA Cup in the process.
Arsenal midfielder Miguel Azeez could be on his way to Barcelona during the summer transfer window.
That is according to Sport, who claim that the Catalan giants are keen to sign Azeez for their B team, who play in the third tier of Spain. The Hale End academy graduate still has one year left on his contract in north London but it is claimed that he could be allowed to leave on a free transfer, with the Gunners receiving a significant portion of any potential sale in the future.
Arsenal summer signing Kai Havertz is considered as a massive outsider for next season's Premier League golden boot race, as per Genting Casino.
Premier League 2023/24 Golden boot odds:
Erling Haaland 8/11
Harry Kane 7/1
Mohamed Salah 8/1
Darwin Nunez 16/1
Marcus Rashford 16/1
Gabriel Jesus 20/1
Christopher Nkunku 25/1
Kai Havertz 66/1
Former Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann has backed Kai Havertz to perform well for Arsenal next season, backing the summer signing to link up with Gabriel Jesus.
Speaking to Lordping, Hamann said: "I think Kai Havertz's best position is up front, just off the main striker. I think he'll play with Gabriel Jesus, up top. Arsenal are a team that likes to pass the ball a lot more than Chelsea, and I think that will suit Havertz. We will see the real Havertz that we saw at Bayer Leverkusen when he was 17 and scoring important goals.
"I remember when he was still in school and Havertz scored a goal that stopped Bayer Leverkusen from being relegated. Havertz is the player to watch out for, he'll be a different player this season coming.
"Havertz would play better with an out-and-out number nine, someone like Romelu Lukaku, Harry Kane or Robert Lewandowski, as they keep defenders occupied which gives Havertz the space he needs. Gabriel Jesus drifts wide, but we've seen how brilliant of a player he can be and it wouldn't surprise me to see them link up well together."
Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has heaped praise on Declan Rice's move to Arsenal.
"I think he’s a huge signing for Arsenal - he’s a fantastic player with a great mentality, young," Rooney told the media when asked about Rice.
"Arsenal have got a player at the top of his game and I think he’ll bring a great character in the dressing room. He could be captain of Arsenal.
"He’s a player who Arsenal needed and they’ve certainly got a top player," he added.
Dinamo Zagreb starlet Martin Baturina has been linked with a summer transfer to Arsenal, with the youngster compared to Real Madrid icon Luka Modric.
But who is Baturina and what is his play style? football.london takes a closer look below.
Read more here.
Mikel Arteta has delivered an update on Declan Rice's fitness ahead of Arsenal's friendly against MLS All-Stars on Thursday morning
"A lot has happened to him in the last five to six days. He had a very hectic schedule.
"He's had a few training sessions which were really good," Arteta added.
Former Arsenal striker Julio Baptista has claimed that PSG superstar Neymar would be the perfect fit for the Gunners.
Speaking to GamblingZone, Baptista said: "I think it is unfair to say the Premier League would be too physical for Neymar. French football is very physical and he’s made some incredible appearances there.
"For Neymar, Arsenal would be an incredible move because he needs a change in his life. He’s given his all for PSG but maybe they don’t give him what he needs. He needs something different. Players need to be happy. I haven’t spoken to him in a long time but a move would be the best thing for his career."
Journalist Fentuo Tahiru Fentuo has reported that Thomas Partey has now joined the rest of his Arsenal teammates in the USA for their pre-season tour.
Writing on Twitter, he said: "Thomas Partey has joined the Arsenal team in the US for pre-season. He didn’t initially fly out with the team when they left on Sunday. It is understood Arsenal are no longer keen to offload the Ghanaian midfielder."
Arsenal summer signing Kai Havertz struggled in yesterday's, failing to convert a single attempt in the Cross and Volley challenge last night.
The German international will be hoping to make his first start for the Gunners tonight when they take on the MLS All-Stars.
Arsenal are interested in Dinamo Zagreb youngster Martin Baturina, as per Ryan Taylor of the Express.
Writing on Twitter, Taylor said: "Arsenal tracking Dinamo Zagreb starlet Martin Baturina, who impressed at U21 Euros & last season when scouts were in Croatia to watch team-mate Josip Šutalo. Valued at €15m.
"Checks will continue. Sales now priority & will shape further spending. #AFC."
Want to know the latest on Arsenal's pursuit of Ajax playmaker Mohammed Kudus?
football.london has you covered, we've rounded up everything you need to know on his future with the Dutch side below.
Read more here.
Brighton star Moises Caicedo has attracted considerable interest from both Arsenal and Chelsea in recent times.
The Gunners saw bids of £60million and £70million for Caicedo rejected during the January transfer window, with Roberto De Zerbi's side making it clear that he was not for sale. Since then, Declan Rice has arrived at the Emirates Stadium, meaning the north Londoners' are no longer in need of a holding midfielder.
However, this could change if Thomas Partey leaves the club and football.london understands that the Ghana international is one of the players that Arsenal would be open to selling this summer if a suitable offer were to come in. If Partey was sold, it remains to be seen whether or not the Gunners would then pivot back to pursuing a move for Caicedo, who verbally agreed on personal terms with Chelsea earlier this summer.
football.london understands that the Blues and Brighton held positive talks in recent days over the possible sale of Caicedo, although no deal has been agreed yet. If Arsenal did end up deciding to make a renewed push to sign the 21-year-old, they may very well have an ace up their sleeve in negotiations.
Read on here.
Arsenal have been linked with a surprise move for Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich this summer. The German outfit are said to be open to selling the 28-year-old this summer for the right price.
Mikel Arteta is hoping to add a versatile forward and another central midfielder to his squad ahead of next season - despite already signing Kai Havertz and Declan Rice. Thomas Partey and Albert Sambi Lokonga are facing uncertain futures at the Emirates Stadium and if one, or both, depart the Gunners this summer - a move for Kimmich could be viable.
Spanish outlet Marca reported that the north London club admired Kimmich, who has established himself as one of the Bundesliga's most consistent performers over the last few years. Kicker journalist Georg Holzner has now claimed that Bayern no longer consider Kimmich as "untouchable" or "unsellable".
Holzner added that the Bavarian giants are willing to discuss a potential transfer for the 28-year-old should they receive a high offer - with reports elsewhere suggesting Bayern have set a £51million asking price for Kimmich. The Germany international has already been linked with moves to Barcelona and Liverpool this summer, as well as the Gunners.
Kimmich is acutely aware of the speculation surrounding his future as he enters the final two years of his contract at the Allianz Arena. When discussing his future whilst away on international duty last month, the Bayern star told German news outlet Bild: "It was difficult not to come across it [the rumours].
"Generally, I'm not too invested in the rumours. I still have, as everyone knows, two years left on my contract and we have big plans [for those two years] at Bayern."
Read on here.
Arsenal are interested in Ajax’s £40million-rated midfielder Mohammed Kudus but are focusing on trimming Mikel Arteta’s squad before adding to their £200m recruitment spree, according to Mail Sport.
Arsenal sporting director Edu will now turn his attentions to outgoings with Kieran Tierney, Cedric Soares, Nicolas Pepe, Albert Lokonga, Nuno Tavares and Rob Holding among those attracting interest that could tempt Arsenal in selling.
Arsenal are not ruling out further arrivals this summer with Ghana international Kudus among the players interesting the Gunners. The 22-year-old can play in a conventional central midfield role, in a move advanced position or even on the right wing.
Read on here.
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