Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Mikel Merino ‘HOURS away’, Fabio Vieira exit latest, Eddie Nketiah TWIST – updates
ARSENAL are closing in on the signing of Mikel Merino with a £28m deal now AGREED with Real Sociedad, according to reports.
Elsewhere, Nottingham Forest are amongst Premier League clubs reportedly interested in forward Eddie Nketiah.
Meanwhile, the Gunners have rejected an approach from Ajax to sign goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, according to reports.
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Booty Brawl
Gabriel Jesus refused to turn the other cheek after having his BUM grabbed during Arsenal's clash with Wolves.
The Brazil striker was bent over to put his right boot back on after a challenge.
Wolves star Yerson Mosquera saw his opportunity and pounced, reaching around and clearly grabbing Jesus' rear.
Jesus was understandably annoyed and shoved the defender to the ground.
Somewhat harshly, he was given a yellow card.
And Gunners fans were not happy with Mosquera, or referee Jarred Gillett.
Kiwior latest
Jakub Kiwior could still leave the Gunners before the end of the transfer window.
That's the opinion of transfer expert Fabrizio Romano who revealed nothing is close yet.
The Poland international was left out of Arsenal's squad for the opener against Wolves.
The move was described as a 'technical decision'.
Rice is ok
Declan Rice appeared to have suffered an injury against Wolves in the season opener.
However, Mikel Arteta quickly moved to ease Gunners fans' fears.
The Arsenal gaffer said: "Yeah he was cramping.
"He hasn’t had the longest pre-season ever. But he was really trying and he put an unbelievable performance again. At the end he was struggling a bit."
Chiesa still up for grabs
Thiago Motta has confirmed Juventus’ stance that the club are looking to move Federico Chiesa on.
He said: “Our position on Federico Chiesa hasn’t changed. He’s not part of our plans.
“We’ve talked. It’s a demonstration of the respect I have for everyone. Transparency, clarity, that’s the way I communicate with my players.”
Chiesa has been linked with a move to Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal.
Turkish talks
Turkish outlet Takvim report that Man Utd are locked in talks to sign Ferdi Kadioglu.
The Fenerbahce full-back has been linked with a move to the Premier League this summer.
Arsenal were credited with an interested with the Euro 2024 star.
While Brighton were said to also be close to a deal.
Kiwior latest
Jakub Kiwior could be set for a move from the Emirates before transfer deadline day.
The Poland defender is drawing interest from several Serie A clubs.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano believes there is a strong possibility he will leave Arsenal soon.
However, he adds that there are no bids yet.
Osimhen move ‘blocked’
Napoli’s sporting director Giovanni Manna has revealed that a potential transfer for Arsenal and Chelsea target Victor Osimhen is “blocked”
“It’s an objective fact, what the coach said, the situation is blocked,” Manna said.
“Victor is an important player, with an important value and conditions. His desire is clear. We tried to maintain the integrity of the squad at this moment.
“We are not the only club in this situation and we’ll see what happens over the next 10 days.”
Merino latest
Real Sociedad boss Imanol Alguacil has said that Arsenal-bound Mikel Merino will be committed to the club "to the death."
The Spain midfielder is expected to join the Gunners in a £30million deal.
But, the move has been held up as the two sides come to a financial agreement for the player.
Merino was left out of his club's opening LaLiga match against Rayo Vallecano.
When asked for clarity about Merino's situation, as Liverpool-linked Martin Zubimendi, Alguacil told reporters: "Both are there, one is not on the list and the other is in the squad.
"They still belong to Real and both are going to be with the team to the death. Nothing changes, I said it yesterday.
"Those of us who are there will go all out to win the game. And then we’ll see who is there for the next one."
Williams move 'back on'
Arsenal could yet make a move for Nico Williams.
It was thought that any deal was dead in the water, after the Spain winger declared he was staying at Athletic Club.
However, ESPN say the Gunners still remain interested in the Euro 2024 winner.
The report adds Mikel Arteta wants to add an attacker to their ranks.
Toney insight
Gary Neville has dropped a hint that he may know where Ivan Toney's future lies.
"I’d love to see him stay in the Premier League but I’ve been told he’s maybe going to Saudi Arabia which would be a shame," he told Sky Sports.
"He probably feels he needs to exploit this next contract and feels he hasn’t had the career many have had who play for England at this stage where they’ll have earned big money."
More on Toney
Thomas Frank has added more to Ivan Toney's exclusion from Brentford's squad.
He said: “There are various things going on with Ivan with transfer rumours and activity and because of all that we decided not to include him in the squad,” said Frank.
“That (decision) was the club and me. It was made on Thursday. We thought it was the best thing. Ivan always wants to play.”
When pressed on a if a Saudi club or Premier League club was interested, he added: "You never know.”
Merino's confirmed absence
Mikel Merino's exclusion from Real Sociedad's squad has been confirmed.
The Spain midfielder has been left out, as Arsenal close in on a deal.
Ramsdale's future
Fabrizio Romano has delivered an update on Aaron Ramsdale's future.
The transfer expert said: "I expect things to happen soon for Aaron Ramsdale. He is on the list for some clubs. Arsenal's preference is for a permanent transfer."
Romano added the Gunners are looking at a new back-up shotstopper.
"Arsenal are preparing for Joan Garcia to be their new backup goalkeeper in case Ramsdale will leave," he added.
Toney riddle
Ivan Toney was left out of Brentford's squad for the match against Crystal Palace.
Arsenal and Man Utd have both been linked with the Bees hitman.
And boss Thomas Frank admitted there has been transfer interest.
He told Sky Sports: "A lot of things going on with Ivan [Toney], especially with transfers, there's a lot of transfer interest. Because of all that, we've decided not to include him in the squad.
"I can't give too much away the day before. Of course Ivan is a top player, we all know that. He has been fantastic for us for four years but we showed last season we can cope without him."
Partey future still in doubt
Thomas Partey could still exit Arsenal this month - despite playing all of yesterday's 2-0 win over Woles.
It's claimed the Gunners might yet pounce for Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino.
Partey is now fully fit after an injury hit 2023-24.
But the Ghanaian, 31, is in the final year of his contract.
And Emirates chief Mikel Arteta could prefer easing him out to help fund a long-term replacement.
The Times are the4 latest outlet to suggest Partey's future is far from certain.
Arteta delighted with start
Boss Mikel Arteta insists he was "very pleased" with both the performance and the result as Arsenal launched the season with yesterday's 2-0 home win over Wolves.
Arteta praised a mature display from opening scorer Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka's 74th-minute strike.
The Spaniard said: "I'm very happy. It's always interesting, the first game of the season to see how we are going to respond at going back to the Premier League level."
"Overall - very pleased with the performance and the result."
Gunners tipped to launch Garcia bid
Espanyol keeper Joan Garcia could be targeted by Arsenal.
The Gunners' back-up stopper Aaron Ramsdale might still depart the Emirates before the transfer window closes.
Credit: Getty And transfer guru Fabrizio Romano believes Spaniard Garcia, 23, is a serious contender to replace him.
Ramsdale is reportedly on the wanted list of rival clubs.
It comes after he lost this first-choice place last season to David Raya, who has now been signed permanently from Brentford.
Arsenal can win PL, says Petit
Emmanuel Petit believes Arsenal can end their wait for another Premier League title this season.
The Gunners have not won the league since their unbeaten campaign in 2003/04.
Asked if his old club can win the title, Petit told Get French Football News: "Yes, definitely. I think the team has improved so much over the last two seasons.
"Arsenal are also working really well in the transfer market. They are also working to add new players with the window closing at the end of the month, so I think there will be more players coming to the club.
"However, when you look at City, they are still the reference in the Premier League. They are still the team to beat.
"You can see that the gap between City and Arsenal has closed a lot during the last two seasons.
"And I’m pretty sure when you look at Arsenal, this team is young and they play the same football on the pitch which makes me feel sure it will be difficult for City this season to keep their crown.
"Nobody would’ve said two seasons ago, that Arsenal would compete for the title but I’m pretty sure this season it will be difficult for City to win it."
Credit: Getty White on Instagram
Ben White shared a snap to Instagram after Arsenal's win over Wolves.
The Gunners began their Premier League campaign with a 2-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium.
After the match, White wrote on Instagram: "We back."
His message was alongside a snap of the defender in the tunnel.
Arteta's rallying cry
Mikel Arteta took to Instagram following Arsenal's opening day win over Wolves.
The Gunners boss shared a snap of himself applauding supporters at the Emirates Stadium.
Alongside the post, he wrote: "Let's do this."
Arsenal 24/25 fixtures
Arsenal have a tricky start to the season Arsenal ratings
Arsenal stormed to a 2-0 victory over Wolves in their Premier League opener at the Emirates Stadium.
Bukayo Saka starred as he grabbed his side's second goal following Kai Havertz's first half strike.
However, Oleksandr Zinchenko struggled and could lose his place in the side.
Click here to see how SunSport rated the Gunners players.
Arteta 'closing' in on City
Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal are closing in on Manchester City after their opening day victory.
Speaking after the 2-0 win over Wolves, he explained: "This is a new story, this season.
"A beautiful one hopefully that we have to write from the beginning. This is the first chapter of that. Let's write some beautiful ones."
Credit: Getty Victor Osimhen latest
Victor Osimhen is tipped to reject Chelsea and Arsenal - so he can wait up to two weeks for his dream move.
The Napoli striker has a £100million-plus release clause in a contract expiring in June 2026.
And Premier League giants have shown the strongest interest in the Nigerian over the past two seasons.
Manchester United were linked with the 25-year-old at one stage.
But Paris Saint-Germain have stepped up their hunt over the summer.
Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg believes PSG would have to offload a big-name attacker before they could lure Osimhen.
Credit: Alamy
