William Saliba has spent the season on loan at Marseille and is poised to return to the Emirates whilst Mikel Arteta faces several transfer decisions regarding his Arsenal squad
Video Unavailable
Premier League club’s priority signings this summer
Arsenal face a huge summer as they recover from narrowly missing out on the top four and the Champions League.
The Gunners were pipped by north London rivals Tottenham and are facing up to the reality of Europa League football next term. The Thursday – Sunday schedule could yet hamper their bid for the top four and they will need to add depth to their squad if they are to compete on several fronts.
Mikel Arteta faces several key decisions when it comes to recruitment as the club face a striker exodus. Alexandre Lacazette is due to leave in the coming weeks whilst Eddie Nketiah could yet remain at the Emirates but targets are still being sought.
These are the latest news lines coming out of Arsenal.
Marseille’s Saliba stance
Marseille will open talks with Arsenal about making William Saliba’s loan move permanent after Mikel Arteta said he must return to the Emirates next season.
The Spaniard made it clear the defender “has to come back” to his parent club when his loan deal at Marseille expires as he plans to reintegrate the defender into his side next season. Saliba has expressed his desire to extend his stay in the south of France, however, as he looks to play Champions League football after an impressive campaign where he was named Ligue 1’s Young Player of the Year.
Arsenal have promised the centre-half that he will have an ‘integral role’ in Arteta’s side, according to L’Equipe. The north Londoners also want to extend his current contract which runs out in 2024 to prove to the rising star that he is a part of the club’s long-term plans.
Read the full story here.
(
Image:
Getty Images)
Keown hands warning despite Elneny deal
Arsenal have completed their first significant bit of business this summer by tying Mohamed Elneny down to a new deal, but the Gunners cannot afford to rest on their laurels.
Speaking to talkSPORT recently, the former defender raised his concerns over the quality Arsenal possess in the centre of the pitch, stating: “The middle is where the club needs to strengthen, I think with [Granit] Xhaka, it is time for change, I am not saying get rid of him completely. I just feel if he is coming on and making a contribution in midfield, then he needs to get better and develop.”
Read the full story here.
Morata deal ‘close’
Arsenal are reportedly ‘very close’ to signing Alvaro Morata this summer after failing in a move for the Spaniard in January.
The Spanish striker has long been a target for the Gunners, with the prospect of a move having been explored once again with the north London side keen to add to their attacking options ahead of the 2022/23 season. Alexandre Lacazette looks likely to depart at the end of his contract and despite Eddie Nketiah having seemingly agreed a new deal at the Emirate Stadium, there is still a dire need for reinforcements.
Now, it appears that the Gunners are edging towards bringing in a forward. As per Sport, the Gunners are ‘very close’ to sealing the signature of Morata for a fee of £25million.
Read the full story here.
Read More
Read More
