Arsenal news LIVE: Rapinha transfer wanted, Morata deal still on, Tierney to Barcelona – latest updates

Joao much for Felix?

Arsenal are reportedly chasing a stunning deal for Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix.

But the Spanish champions want a whopping £120million fee for their key attacker.

El Chiringuito claims Mikel Arteta is desperate to shake up Arsenal’s front line this summer.

Journalist Eduardo Inda said: “Joao Felix is a very good player. Arsenal want him.

“Simeone, if he continues, wants to bring Guedes. His objective is to change Felix for Guedes.

“The problem that Atletico has is that he cost 120million euros and recovering it is something that can only be done if he is sold to the Premier League.”

Good morning Arsenal fans

Arsenal are set to reward manager Mikel Arteta with a new £8.3million-a-year deal this summer, reports SunSport's Mark Irwin.

Arteta has only 16 months left in his contract and the Gunners are eager to secure his long-term future at the Emirates.

Club owner Stan Kroenke is keen to emphasise his confidence in the Spanish head coach by sanctioning a three-year agreement, which will be worth £25m.

The 39-year-old's current salary of £5m per year does not even compare with his former Manchester City mentor Pep Guardiola, who is on £20m a year.

The north Londoners are ready to hand a 60 per cent pay rise to Arteta, who will be on the same money legendary tactician Arsene Wenger was earning when he left the club in 2018.

Meanwhile, Arsenal will try to sign Palmeiras ace Danilo having held fresh talks over a potential summer deal.

That is according to Bolavip, who report that the Gunners have opened talks to attempt and force through an early deal for the midfielder.

The north Londoners already tried to land the talented Brazilian during the January transfer window but it didn't work out.

Arsenal reportedly know that the Copa Libertadores holders aren’t going to sell the 20-year-old easily.

Abel Ferreira's team’s official stance is that Danilo isn’t for sale at any price.

And Arteta hasn’t given up on Juventus loanee Alvaro Morata, according to Calciomercato.

Morata has been linked with a move to the Gunners ever since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang left for Barcelona last month.

However, the centre-forward instead decided to remain with Juve, where he plays on loan from Atletico Madrid.

The north Londoners may face competition from Barcelona once more in the summer and it may take £29million to get the deal done.

Finally, Former Arsenal ace Jack Wilshere is set to debut for new club Aarhus Gymnastikforening on Friday.

Wilshere linked up with the Danish side on Sunday and could start in the team's next game against Vejle BK, according to Sky Sports.

The 30-year-old hasn't played a competitive game since departing from Bournemouth last summer.

But the former England international should be match-fit after training with the Gunners over the last few months

Arsenal's power Serg

Arsenal have received a boost in their bid to sign Barcelona ace Sergi Roberto.

Roberto has yet to sign a new contract with Barca as his current contract expires in June.

According to Marca, the Blaugrana were due to meet the full-back's team just after Christmas.

But the report added that the Catalan giants are prioritising other players amid their financial problems.

The Spain international is currently on the sidelines after undergoing surgery for a thigh injury

Lautaro transfer war

Arsenal have been put on red alert as Inter Milan are reportedly prepared to sell Lautaro Martinez in the summer transfer window.

The Gunners were linked with Lautaro last year and were set to offer him a £275,000-a-week deal.

But the move failed to materialise and the striker eventually penned a new long-term contract with Inter until 2026.

However it was reported last week that the north London outfit have reignited their interest in the Argentina international.

According to Calciomercato, Lautaro is facing an uncertain future in the Serie A

'Haven't impacted a lot'

Ex-Roma ace Loris Boni believes Ainsley Maitland-Niles and fellow January arrival Sergio Oliveira have struggled to adapt to Italian football.

Boni told Centro Suono Sport: "They haven’t impacted a lot.

"Maybe they haven’t settled in yet. They have a hard time grasping the type of football in Italy.

"English and Portuguese football is quite different. If you join a team that is not in to condition, it’s not easy to fit in.

"They are players who have come to complete a staff. They aren’t ones who make the difference”

Maitland-Niles Ain't wanted

Arsenal have been dealt a blow with Roma unwilling to permanently sign Ainsley-Maitland Niles after his loan stint ends in June.

Maitland-Niles has been guilty of inconsistent displays and was voted the worst player on the pitch on his debut against Juventus.

According to Calciomercato, the versatile midfielder's unconvincing performances are the reason why the Giallorossi have decided against turning his temporary stay into a permanent switch.

Manager Jose Mourinho is now weighing up a summer swoop for Barcelona right-back Sergino Dest.

This comes as a blow for the Gunners, who had been hoping the Romans would cough up £12million

'Points on the board'

Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel has backed his former club to pip rivals Arsenal to fourth place in the Premier League.

Schmeichel told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast: "I think Arsenal have shown some great form.

"But actually, on current form in the last five games, Man Utd is a little bit better than Arsenal. It’s hard to see but they are.

"I think having the points on the board rather than games in hand [is more important].

"It [Leeds] was a great win, let me [be] absolutely clear about that it was a great win, but I still think there is a long, long, long way to go for this team.

"They’ve still got, in terms of football, so many more things to prove"

More from Friedel

Former Tottenham star Brad Friedel also tipped Arsenal signing Auston Trusty to be a success at the Emirates.

Speaking to SunSport via bet365, Friedel added: "I coached Auston as well, really good in defence, really powerful in the air, left-footed so he can be deployed as a left sided centre-back but also a left-back if needs be.

"This will be an interesting one to see. It's going to be a big jump for Auston, but he's a great kid, really hard worker and I want to see everything work out for him, I really do.

"It'll be interesting to see the amount of playing time he can get. I wouldn't want to say now it'll be a certainty that he'll be sent out on loan.

"Because like Matt Turner, he'll join in the summer and go through a pre-season, so let's see what happens and whether he can win himself a place inside that squad"

Arsenal's American dream

Former Tottenham star Brad Friedel tipped Arsenal signing Matt Turner to be a success at the Emirates.

Speaking to SunSport via bet365, Friedel added: "I coached Matt and gave him his professional debut. Matt is an outstanding shot-stopper.He will be able to put pressure on [Aaron] Ramsdale, I've no doubt about it.

"What I would say, is this will be the first time in Matt's career that he sees what competition for places truly is. He's such a good kid and a solid human being.

"With my other North London ties, I've not spoken with anyone at Arsenal about him or on behalf of him, so I don't know what the plans are, with Ramsdale, [Bernd] Leno and the amazing goalkeeper they have in their academy.

"But this will be the first time Matt goes into a club and sees four, five, six top quality goalkeepers all training at the same time, so it'll be interesting to see how he copes with it all.

"Can he challenge? Yeah, absolutely - but like anyone he'll need to adapt and get used to the pace of the game. What's great is he'll be getting a pre-season with Arsenal, so perfect for him to get acclimated"

Art of the deal

Arsenal are set to hand manager Mikel Arteta a bumper pay rise with a new £8.3million-a-year deal this summer, reports SunSport's Mark Irwin.

Arteta has 16 months left in his contract and the Gunners are eager to secure his long-term future at the Emirates.

Owner Stan Kroenke is keen to emphasise his confidence in the Spanish head coach by sanctioning a three-year agreement which will be worth £25m.

The 39-year-old's current salary of £5m a year does not even compare with his former Manchester City mentor Pep Guardiola, who is on £20m a year.

The north Londoners are ready to hand a 60 per cent pay hike to Arteta, who will be on the same money Arsene Wenger was earning when he left the club in 2018

Head Auba heels

Barcelona star and former Arsenal ace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang admitted that his somersault celebration was inspired by Real Madrid legend Hugo Sanchez.

Aubameyang told Mundo Deportivo: "I remember that I started a long time ago at home watching videos.

"If I'm telling the truth, it was from a player who played for the other team.

"Hugo Sanchez"

Ren I'm Gone

Arsenal have suffered a transfer blow as Lille star Renato Sanches has agreed to join AC Milan.

Sanches confirmed the Gunners were keeping tabs on him during the January transfer window.

According to Calciomercato, the midfielder and Milan have a 'definitive understanding' over a deal.

The Portugal international is represented by Jorge Mendes, who is said to have 'excellent relations' with the Rossoneri

More on Arteta by Aubameyang

Barcelona's methods are similar to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta's, according to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Asked about whether he has had trouble adapting to Barca's style of play, Aubameyang said: "Some of the things we did with Arteta are similar.

"I still have to get used to it but I am eager to learn.

"When I see how the boys play I want to do the same"

Aubameyang on Arteta

Barcelona star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has stated that Mikel Arteta wished him luck before leaving Arsenal.

Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, Aubameyang was asked whether Arteta wished him luck before his departure last month.

The star striker simply said: "Yes, yes."

The Gabon international then stated that the Spanish head coach's footballing philosophy has helped him settle quickly into life at the Nou Camp following Sunday's hat-trick away at Valencia

Tyrone Mings shout out

Barcelona star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has faced some superstar defenders during his career but insists Aston Villa ace Tyrone Mings is the toughest.

When asked in a video interview by Mundo Deportivo to name his toughest-ever opponent, Aubameyang paused to think and then named Mings, the player who started his senior career at non-league Yate Town.

The striker was talking to the Spanish newspaper after scoring a hat-trick in 4-1 win and his his first LaLiga start for Barca against Valencia on Sunday.

It was the Gabon international's fourth game for his new club after sealing his January switch from the Gunners

I've got a Brad feeling

Ex-Tottenham goalkeeper Brad Friedel believes it is advantage Arsenal in the race for the final spot in the top four.

Friedel would love to see Spurs returning to the Champions League, but he feels their north London rival hold the advantage.

The American star told SunSport via bet365: "Man United are now in there again, so it's incredibly difficult to back one as it could go to three or four teams.

"I hate to say it, but I'm going to have to go with Arsenal even though I really want it to be Tottenham"

Wilshere to make debut

Former Arsenal star Jack Wilshere is set to debut for new club Aarhus Gymnastikforening on Friday.

Wilshere joined the Danish side on Sunday and could start in the team's next game against Vejle BK, according to Sky Sports.

The 30-year-old hasn't played a competitive match since departing from Bournemouth last summer.

But the ex-England international should be match-fit after training with the Gunners over the last few months

Alvaro Morata reminder

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta hasn’t given up on Juventus loanee Alvaro Morata, according to Calciomercato.

Morata has been linked with a move to the Gunners ever since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang left for Barcelona in the January transfer window.

However, the striker instead decided to remain with Juve, where he plays on loan from Atletico Madrid.

The north Londoners may face competition from Barcelona again in the summer and it may take £29million to get the deal done

Danilo bid reminder

Arsenal will try to sign Palmeiras ace Danilo having held fresh talks over a potential summer deal.

That is according to Bolavip, who claim the Gunners have opened talks to attempt and force through an early deal for the midfielder.

The north Londoners already tried to land the Brazilian during the January transfer window but it didn't work out.

Arsenal reportedly know that the Copa Libertadores champions aren’t going to sell the 20-year-old easily.

Abel Ferreira's side's official stance is that Danilo isn’t for sale at any price

Tierney attracting interest from Barcelona

Barcelona are reportedly eyeing a move for Arsenal and Scotland star Kieran Tierney.

Spanish outlet Cule Mania say that the La Liga giants view Tierney as a possible replacement for Camp Nou stalwart Jordi Alba.

The report goes on to state that they are also monitoring AC Milan's Theo Hernández and Benfica's Alex Grimaldo.

Real Madrid have also been linked with Tierney this February, with some reports suggesting that he could leave Arsenal for £50million.

Mings best defender Aubameyang's faced

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has faced some superstar defenders - but says Tyrone Mings is the toughest.

Former Arsenal striker Aubameyang, 32, and current Aston Villa centre-half Mings, 28, have squared off in five Prem clashes since 2019.

has faced some superstar defenders - but says Tyrone Mings is the toughest.

Former Arsenal striker Aubameyang, 32, and current Aston Villa centre-half Mings, 28, have squared off in five Prem clashes since 2019.

Arsenal handed double transfer boost

Lille have been ordered to pay Sporting Lisbon £17million by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in a decision that could help Arsenal land two transfer targets.

The Ligue 1 side were told they must settle their dispute over the transfer of AC Milan youngster Rafael Leao, who left Sporting Lisbon for the French outfit back in the summer of 2018.

According to Record via La Gazzetta dello Sport, AC Milan youngster Leao was told to pay Sporting £13.3m by CAS just under two years ago before contesting the ruling.

Now, the fee has been increased to £17m following inflation, with Lille now ordered to pay.

The decision could have a knock-on effect for the Gunners, who have been linked with two players currently plying their trade at the Stade Pierre Mauroy in the form of Renato Sanches and Jonathan David.

Arsenal make Sanches a priority

Arsenal have reportedly settled on LOSC Lille midfielder Renato Sanches as their main target for the position in the summer transfer window.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Portuguese international is on the radar for Mikel Arteta’s side this summer, with the Ligue 1 star likely to leave Lille a year after coming close to an exit with the French champions.

As per the report, Lille will be open to selling Sanches for €30m (£25m), a transfer fee that would suit Arsenal to a tee given their need for a new first-team midfielder with Mohamed Elneny set to leave at the end of this season and Granit Xhaka’s future still uncertain.

Arsenal eye Leeds United gem

Arsenal have joined the race for Leeds winger Raphinha, according to reports, but the Gunners have plenty of work to do if they are to complete a transfer this summer.

That's because the north London club are just one of several teams interested in exploring a deal for the Brazilian international, who continues to catch the eye in the Premier League and for his country.

The 25-year-old's stock has sky-rocketed as a result of his performances, with his value now thought to be at around £50m.

Leeds are keen to open contract talks with Raphinha, who would like to wait until the end of the season before discussing his future.

Arsenal sign up youth player

Reuell Walters has signed his first professional contract.

The 17-year-old right-back joined Arsenal in 2021 following a short break from football.

He has made eight appearances for the under-18s and 14 appearances for the under-23s so far this season.

Previously part of Tottenham Hotspur’s academy, Reuell spent a period out of academy football and has progressed well since joining The Gunners.

He told Arsenal media: "I’m just really grateful for the opportunity I’ve being given.

"I just want to make sure that I start to push on and do what I’ve been doing before, but now to a new level."