Arsenal transfer round-up: Enquiries made for Zenit midfielder as Saliba threatens exit

Arsenal have embarked on their pre-season tour of the United States as they prepare for the upcoming campaign with three more friendlies, but club officials back in London are doing their very best to ensure more signings can link up with the squad.

As things stand, the Gunners are closing in on Manchester City ’s Oleksandr Zinchenko, as he looks to follow Gabriel Jesus through the doors in north London, but he isn’t the only player who could be about to arrive. According to reports, Arsenal have made enquiries over a Zenit St. Petersburg midfielder, while they are also eyeing up a Chelsea defender.

Mirror Football takes a look at all the latest transfer stories coming out of the Emirates Stadium…

Arsenal enquire for Zenit midfielder

Arsenal have already added to their midfield options with the signing of Fabio Vieira from Porto this summer, but have been strongly linked with adding to that sole addition by securing the services of Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans.

But now the latest reports have revealed that their attention has also been elsewhere, with Brazilian publication Globo reporting that Arsenal have made contact over a possible switch for Zenit midfielder Wendel this summer, who is looking for a move away from the club after FIFA and UEFA suspended Russian clubs from competing in European competition.

The 24-year-old joined Zenit for £24 million in 2021 from Sporting Lisbon, and has since scored six goals in 55 appearances in all competitions. Wendel has gone on to help Zenit win the Russian Premier League in consecutive seasons, as well as the Russian Super Cup.

Do Arsenal need to make any more additions to their midfield this summer? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

Saliba ‘wants exit’ if demands not met

William Saliba has returned to Arsenal this summer after a fantastic season on loan at Marseille in 2021/22, where he made 52 appearances in all competitions and won the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year award, and Mikel Arteta is now set to give him his chance with the Gunners.

Arteta currently has Ben White, Gabriel Maghaeles, Pablo Mari and Rob Holding as his central defensive options but Saliba wants regular first team football if he is to remain in north London for the upcoming season, and has now issued the club with a warning if his promise is not met.

According to the Independent, Saliba is prepared to demand a permanent transfer away from Arsenal if he is not guaranteed a starting spot in the team. The Frenchman is not ready to be a bit-part player at the Emirates if he can be a guaranteed starter elsewhere.

Gunners eye Chelsea defender

Arsenal’s hunt for defensive reinforcements this summer goes on after the Gunners finally accepted defeat in their pursuit of Ajax centre back Lisandro Martinez, following a lengthy transfer saga in which they submitted three separate bids for the Argentine.

And coupled with the uncertainty of William Saliba’s future at the club this summer, in which he wants the guarantee of being a regular starter at the Emirates Stadium, the Gunners are making efforts to ensure they are not caught short-handed and are looking for a potential replacement.

That has brought them to Chelsea’s Levi Colwill, with Journalist Nizaar Kinsella, via football.london, reporting that London rivals Arsenal are among the sides interested in a move for the 19-year-old, who enjoyed a successful loan spell at Championship side Huddersfield Town last season.

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