Arsenal are actively pursuing a deal to sign Bologna and Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori.
According to reports, a long-term proposal has been presented to the player, who also has concrete interest from Chelsea, Liverpool and Juventus. Though other clubs remain in the race, the Gunners have a clear advantage courtesy of two previous transfer decisions.
Elsewhere, Mikel Arteta and Edu are still aiming to strengthen in midfield with a whole host of potential signings linked. Youssouf Fofana and Amadou Onana are two players that look to be perfect for the role Arteta is trying to fill alongside Declan Rice.
Sanctioning exits is also an aim for Arsenal with the likes of Thomas Partey, Emile Smith Rowe and Aaron Ramsdale all potentially on the chopping block. Returning loanees such as Kieran Tierney and Sambi Lokonga are also expected to depart permanently with an update on the latter emerging.
With that in mind, football.london has got you covered for the all the latest Arsenal transfer news and rumours with regular updates to come throughout the day!
Amie Wilson
Barcelona transfer competition
Arsenal linked Nico Williams is reportedly one of Barcelona's top targets this summer.
The winger has impressed with Spain at Euro 2024, and has the chance to catch the eye again when his team take on Germany in the quarter-final tonight.
Arsenal are on of several clubs to be linked with an interest. But HITC now report that Williams is one of Barcelona's top transfer targets, with the player himself keen on a move to the Nou Camp.
Amie Wilson
Declan Rice verdict delivered
Former Arsenal man Emmanuel Petit has said that he 'doesn't recognise' Declan Rice playing for England compared to the performances he gives for Arsenal.
Rice is expected to again start in a defensive midfield position for the Three Lions against Austria on Saturday. But Petit says that the position doesn't get the best out of the Arsenal man.
He told Gambling.com:
“I don’t recognise Declan Rice playing for England as he isn’t playing the same position as he does for Arsenal. I really like when Declan Rice plays as a box-to-box player as he can support the strikers and be close to the penalty area, shooting from outside the box.
"The fact he is playing as a holding midfielder doesn’t make sense to me, he can’t play there. You are only getting around 60% of his quality by doing so. I think the lack of confidence is not helping him.
"Declan Rice is not playing in the same environment he has at his club. Arteta and Arsenal have a very clear DNA on the pitch and this isn’t the case with the National team. You can see they are struggling as a team, so I am not surprised Rice hasn’t been able to give his best so far for England in that position.”
Amie Wilson
Arsenal told to sign Premier League striker
Former Arsenal captain William Gallas has told Arsenal to make a move for Aston Villa striker this summer, suggesting that the England man could form a striking partnership with Gabriel Jesus.
He told Gambling Zone:
"I know Arsenal want a striker and they definitely need one as they need something different to Gabriel Jesus.
"I like Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa. I think would be a good profile for Arsenal, he can stretch defences and offer something different to Gabriel Jesus. I liked the way he performed when he came on for England against Denmark in their last game.
"He’s the kind of player you would want to play up front with someone else. He’s quick, intelligent and a player like him would be good for Arsenal, especially if he plays with someone who can link with him up front.
"Gabriel Jesus was injured last season but you need a striker who can score you 20 plus goals, Watkins did and he might be the player that sees Arsenal over the line for the title next season."
Amie Wilson
Jakub Kiwior stance
With Arsenal being heavily linked with Riccardo Calafiori, it puts doubts over the future of Jakub Kiwior's future at the club.
According to the Mirror, Juventus are among the clubs showing an interest in the Poland international. They do however face competition from AC Milan, Napoli and Roma.
Arsenal will not however sell the player on the cheap, having paid £20 million for the defender in January 2023.
Amie Wilson
William Saliba praise
Manchester City's Bernardo Silva has heaped praise on Arsenal defender William Saliba ahead of the meeting between the two in Euro 2024.
France come up against Portugal in the quarter-final of the competition tonight (8pm kick-off). Saliba is expected to start for Les Bleus.
Ahead of the game, Silva said:
"Saliba is a rival in the Premier League and he is a wonderful player as well, one that I really like."
"I like the way he plays, his concentration, his focus.
"He is always ready to help the team and it will not be easy against him."
Amie Wilson
Price tag set for Arsenal linked winger
Juventus are reportedly asking for a price of around €25 million (£21m) for winger Federico Chiesa this summer with the player having fallen down the pecking order.
Arsenal were credited with an interest in the Italian international last summer. His availability could potentially reignite that interest.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Juventus have now revealed their asking price for the winger. Would you like to see Arsenal make a move this summer?
Amie Wilson
Arsenal set for £4m exit
Striker Mika Biereth is set to leave the Emirates Stadium on a permanent deal, joining loan club Strum Graz.
The Evening Standard report that Arsenal are set to make £4 million from the sale, despite him having just one year remaining on his contract. It will be a club record fee for the Austrian club.
He is now set to undergo a medical and agree personal terms ahead of completing a move.
Amie Wilson
Riccardo Calafiori transfer latest
The Italian media seem sure that Riccardo Calafiori will join Arsenal this summer.
La Gazzetta dello Sport (via football Italia) provide the latest with the headline in the paper translating as Calafiori goes to Arsenal." The paper also includes a picture of the defender edited into an Arsenal shirt.
The same paper reported on Thirsday night that Arsenal had sent a €53 million bid to Bologna. It is now claimed that the Italian will sign a five-year contract at the Emirates Stadium.
Mark Wakefield
Arsenal have already been given Jack Grealish green light
Arsenal have been linked with a move for Jack Grealish as Manchester City debate whether to keep or sell the 28-year-old in the summer transfer window.
Having joined City for £100million less than three years ago, there could be worries about whether the Gunners could even afford him, depending on the price City may want for him.
Business of Football writer Dave Powell said: "Arsenal's on-pitch success over the past couple of seasons will help them reduce the losses that were seen for the 2022/23 financial year, although likely still in the red, something which is commonplace across the Premier League.
"The Gunners have some room for manoeuvre when it comes to PSR, considerable room. While they have higher amortised costs to take into account they have offset that by extending player contracts and effective player trading.
"It is feasible that they could have a PSR buffer of some £90m, but given that new regulation arrives in 2025 akin to UEFA’s squad cost ratio rule, they, like most clubs, will be keeping a closer eye on payroll and amortisation costs in order to stay under what will be a 70% limit from the start of 2025/26 for UEFA, with 85% in the Premier League."
Mark Wakefield
When Arsenal players return to pre-season training
Arsenal are due to return to pre-season training around July 15, football.london understands.
Mikel Arteta has already been working with some of the players in an early training camp in Marbella.
MORE HERE.
Mark Wakefield
Sir Keir Starmer opens up on love for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta leadership
Sir Keir Starmer will be named as the UK's new Prime Minister following Thursday's General Election. The Labour leader will lead the country following what is expected to be a landslide victory over Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives.
He has a huge job on his hands domestically and will now wield a huge amount of power. But our incoming Prime Minister is just like the rest of us at heart - a huge football fan.
The lifelong Arsenal supporter spoke to football.london's Tom Canton around a year ago and discussed all things Arsenal as well as his love for playing football.
MORE HERE.
Mark Wakefield
Morning
Good morning and welcome to Friday's edition of football.london's Arsenal transfer blog.
We'll have all of the latest news and gossip from the Emirates Stadium right here so make sure you stay tuned!
Oliver Jones
Dream Arsenal defence
Arsenal are pushing in an attempt to sign Bologna's Riccardo Calafiori. Mikel Arteta is keen to add another defender to his squad as they prepare to challenge for the Premier League title once again.
football.london understands that the interest shown in Calafiori is said to be significant, and the Italy international has emerged as their priority target at this stage of the transfer window. It's understood that Arteta has been convinced that the 22-year-old has the right profile to add to the squad.
Calafiori made 33 appearances for Bologna last season as they qualified for the Champions League. He impressed for the Serie A side and took that form into Euro 2024, where he was excellent for Italy during the group phase. Luciano Spalletti missed him when he was suspended for the Round of 16 defeat against Switzerland.
Read the rest here.
Oliver Jones
Nuno Tavares exit
Arsenal could sell Nuno Tavares to Lazio this summer, wiith the Serie A side hoping to land the left-back amid a number of enquiries around full-backs according to Football365.
The Portuguese defender's contract at the Emirates Stadium runs out next year, meaning the Gunners will likely cash in on him given it's unlikely he'll be in Mikel Arteta's plans going forward.
Oliver Jones
Arsenal warned of Calafiori disaster
Arsenal have been told that signing Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna would be a 'disaster' for the Serie A according to Salernitana general manager Walter Sabatini.
Having been quoted by Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb, he claimed:
It’s a disaster when strong young players like him leave our league. €45 million as a valuation is a huge sum but there are defenders worth even more. I think it’s the minimum for someone like him: left-footed, physically imposing, authoritative and with personality in the game.
Let’s remember what he did in the 96th minute against Croatia: he came out with the ball at his feet, ran forty meters, took on the defence and passed the ball. These are plays if you only do if you have quality and courage and the courage to take risks and to sink the action is something only great players have.
Oliver Jones
Arteta contract update
Mikel Arteta has admitted that there's been no update around his contract at Arsenal but has played down fears that he'll leave next season when his deal expires.
The Spaniard is confident both parties can come to an agreement on terms, having made huge progress with the squad since he replaced Unai Emery in 2019.
Opening up on his future, Arteta told ESPN:
No, there is no update at the moment. The thing that hasn't changed is how happy I am and how valued I feel here and how much I love representing this club.
Things happen in a natural way and our relationship is that good that I don't predict any issues happening. But things have to develop in the right way and it will happen.
Oliver Jones
Isak update
Arsenal's pursuit of Alexander Isak could be affected by Newcastle United's latest appointment. The Gunners have been heavily linked with a move for Isak in recent months, with a new striker being tipped to be a priority during the summer transfer window.
Mikel Arteta is yet to make any new signings so far this summer, but that has not stopped rumours swirling of players who are potential targets. Isak is one player who has been credited as a target for Arsenal in recent reports.
The Sweden international moved to Newcastle from Real Sociedad two years ago in a deal worth more than £60 million. Reports in recent weeks have suggested that Newcastle may demand close to £200 million to allow Isak to leave the club.
Read the full Isak update here.
Oliver Jones
Arsenal lead Calafiori race
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed Arsenal are leading the race for superstar centre-back Riccardo Calafiori ahead of rivals Chelsea, who are yet to put in a bid for the 22-year-old.
Oliver Jones
Xhaka verdict
Former Arsebal star Paul Merson has discussed how ex-Gunners midfielder Granit Xhaka has grown as a player since he left the Emirates Stadium.
Speaking on Football’s Greatest, he claimed:
[He's] unbelievable, honestly I can’t express how much, to be strong-minded like that, you talk about the England players, they’re all moaning because everybody’s having a go at them, he had 60,000 people booing him – of his own fans, that he’s got to play in front of every week.
Not just an away fan who you might see him again at an FA Cup game in four months’ time, or once a year. And he turned that round to, when he left, the team got weakened. Lucky enough, they brought in Declan Rice, but he’s gone to Leverkusen, I can’t talk highly enough of the bloke.
I’ve always thought he was a good player, I thought he was a bit loose in his decision-making on the pitch, the way he didn’t really read the game with getting yellows and silly reds, but never let the club down – and always played, always played, always there to play as well. And you’ve got to remember he played at Arsenal when it was on them, they weren’t very good, the crowd were on them and he was never injured, always turned up, always there to be picked, and I have so much admiration for that man, and he is a top, top player.
Oliver Jones
Calafiori update
Riccardo Calafiori has reportedly 'packed his bags' ahead of a move to Arsenal, according to Football365.
A reported fee of £42.3m is what the Gunners are set to pay Bologna for the 22-year-old whose impressive displays in the Serie A, as well as at the 2024 Euros, have caught the attention of many clubs around the Premier League with Arsenal set to come out on top for the centre-back.
Josh Holland
Nuno Tavaes interest
After Arsenal confirmed the signing of David Raya, the Gunners seem to be progressing with their transfer plans.
And as part of that, players are expected to depart, including Nuno Tavaes. According to Sky Sports, Ajax have expressed an interest in the 24-year-old to bolster their left-back options.
However, the Dutch giants reportedly have concerns over his wages.
Josh Holland
Kiwior interest
Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior is reportedly attracting interest from Juventus.
According to reports from Corriere dello Sport, the Italian giants have retained their interest in the Poland international and will formalise their interest over the next few weeks.
Juventus had initially set their sights on Riccardo Calafiori, but the Gunners are now favourites to sign the Bologna star.
Josh Holland
What Raya has said
David Raya has admitted it is a "dream come true" after Arsenal announced the permanent signing of the goalkeeper from Brentford.
Arsenal confirmed the move on Wednesday and Raya is now looking forward to the years ahead. On making his move permanent, Raya said: "After a year on loan as a Gunner, I can finally say that I'm an Arsenal player for the coming years.
"I'm excited to see what the future holds but always living in and enjoying the present. It's a dream come true to be here and I want to thank you for all the support you have already given me throughout the last year."
Josh Holland
Calafiori interest explained
Tom Canton has explained and analysed Arsenal's thinking in their interestin Riccardo Calafiori.
For starters, to get clarity on what the club have already done to construct the defence, it is best to get an understanding of what has been spent. Arsenal have signed 10 defenders since the arrival of Arteta: Cedric Soares (free), Pablo Mari (£12million), Gabriel Magalhaes (£27million), Benjamin White (£50million), Auston Trusty (£2million), Nuno Tavares (£8million), Oleksandr Zinchenko (£32million), Takehiro Tomiyasu (£18million), Jakub Kiwior (£21million) and Jurrien Timber (£38million).
£208million is the total figure which might be somewhat below the estimations of some critics but it is the reality. To get an understanding of what the four-plus years of investment compares to the club’s main title rivals there is quite the contrast.
Comparatively, Manchester City have signed 17 defenders since Pep Guardiola’s arrival in 2016. John Stones (£47.5million), Oleksandr Zinchenko (£1.7million), Aymeric Laporte (£57million), Benjamin Mendy (£52million), Kyle Walker (£53million), Danilo (£26.5million), Phillipe Sandler (£2million), Ko Itakura (£1million), Joao Cancelo (£60million), Angelino (£5.3million), Pedro Porro (£5.5million), Ruben Dias (£65million), Nathan Ake (£41million), Yan Couto (£4million), Manuel Akanji (£15million), Sergio Gomez (£11million) and Josko Gvardiol (£77.6million).
This is a total figure of £525.1million in the eight years that Guardiola has been at the club. More than double that of Arsenal in just under double the time.
Josh Holland
Raya confirmed
Arsenal have signed Spanish international goalkeeper David Raya on a permanent deal from Brentford following a year on loan with the Gunners.
Arsenal paid Brentford £3million to sign Raya on loan last summer and had the option to make the deal permanent with a £27million clause. His permanent arrival is assumed to have secured the number-one spot for years to come raising questions over Aaron Ramsdale’s future.
Josh Holland
Academy stars sign
Seven Arsenal academy players have signed professional contracts at the club, the Gunners have confirmed.
Goalkeeper Brian Okonkwo, defender Maldini Kacurri, full-back Josh Nichols, winger Ismeal Kabia, winger Sebastian Ferdinand, playmaker Harrison Dudziak and left winger Osman Kamara have all signed a pro deal at the club.
Kieran Horn
Arteta on new Arsenal contract
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has remained coy over talk regarding a new contract at Emirates Stadium.
"There is no update [on his contract] at the moment," he told ESPN. "The thing that hasn't changed is how happy I am and how valued I feel here and how much I love representing this club."
Pushed further for an update considering he has just one year remaining on his current deal, Arteta said: "I understand that [clarity over my future is needed for new signings], but the focus now is, 'OK, how we can improve things around the team, how we can improve now the things in the transfer window that we have.' We have time to sit down and discuss that."
Kieran Horn
Arteta on Arsenal transfer plans
Mikel Arteta has offered a brand new verdict on Arsenal's summer transfer window plans.
Speaking to ESPN, he said: "We are looking to improve in every possible department. With the new regulations, there are certain things we have to respect and be conscious of and then obviously the Euros and Copa America are slowing everything down. Hopefully now it is going to pick up a little bit.
"I think both ways [players coming in and going out of the club]. There are things that we have to improve, that's for sure and we are going to try to. But the market is tricky.
"We have been very aggressive, we are very determined and we have a clear idea obviously of what we want to do. It will come down to finding the right agreements at the right time."
Kieran Horn
Calafiori Arsenal bid 'accepted'
Contrary to reports elsewhere, Arsenal have seen a €50million (£42.3m) offer for Ricardo Calafiori accepted, according to Italian outlet TuttoMercatoWeb, via Sport Witness.
Their new update claims that, after initially seeing a €47m bid turned down, the Gunners increased it their offer by €3m, which ‘satisfied’ Bologna, who have ‘said yes’ to the improved proposal.
Kieran Horn
Rashford Arsenal transfer message
Arsenal have been linked with a sensational move for Manchester United star Marcus Rashford.
Paris Saint-Germain, in the market for a Kylian Mbappe replacement, are one club interested in signing the England international.
Alongside the French giants, Arsenal has been mooted as a potential destination for Rashford, although Silvestre believes he is better of staying at United. "Letting Rashford go would not be the right decision because you need to go in the market and find someone better than Marcus, if that's the case," he told bettingexpert.com.
"If you find that player he will be very expensive. Marcus is a senior, experienced Mancunian from the academy. I think he wants to stay. The manager likes him. I just hope Marcus bounces back this season.”
