Gabriel Jesus asking price ‘drops to £45m’, Arsenal confident of Tielemans transfer, Lyon announce Lacazette
MANCHESTER CITY have reportedly dropped their asking price for Gabriel Jesus from £55m to £45m in a boost to Arsenal.
The Gunners are also said to be confident of signing Youri Tielemans from Leicester in an exciting summer window.
But Alexandre Lacazette has officially left the club after being announced by Lyon.
And SunSport can reveal that Dortmund have offered Granit Xhaka's Switzerland team-mate Manuel Akanji to the club for £21m.
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Richarlison leaving Everton
In a SunSport exclusive, Richarlison is planning on leaving Everton.
Arsenal could be interested in the Brazilian who has two years left on his current contract.
Chelsea, PSG and Real Madrid are in pole position to get him though as he wants Champions League football.
Chelsea and Spurs join Jesus race
We reported earlier in the blog that another six clubs are interested in Gabriel Jesus.
The player's agent said: "We had talks with Arsenal about Gabriel Jesus, we like the project – it’s a possibility we’re discussing.
“There are six more clubs interested in Gabriel… we’ll see.”
Two of the clubs reportedly joining the battle for the Man City striker's signature are Chelsea and Tottenham claim The Times.
Arsenal plan to offer Saliba new deal
William Saliba spent last season out on loan in his homeland of France at Marseille.
He helped the club qualify for the Champions League meanwhile he also won Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year award and earned a call-up to the France squad.
Mikel Arteta wants to keep him at the Emirates and therefore to prevent interest from other clubs Saliba could be offered an improved long-term contract, report L’Equipe.
Price rockets for Scamacca
Sassuolo striker Gianluca Scamacca is one on Arsenal's wishlist for the summer.
The 6ft 5in Italian has impressed in Serie A this season and earned his first call-up to the Italy national team.
But his price tag has jumped to £42million according to Foot Mercato after PSG joined the race to sign him.
His price was previously reported at £35million.
Arsenal in disagreement with Juve
Arsenal are reportedly keen on Juventus midfielder Arthur Melo.
But according to The Express, a transfer will not be simple because Juve want two Arsenal players in a swap deal.
The Italian giants have taken a liking to Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhaes and they are insistent on at least one heading to Turin if they give Arthur to the Gunners.
Lacazette explains Lyon move
Alexandre Lacazette has just signed for Lyon after leaving Arsenal on a free transfer.
The Frenchman previously stated: "I want to play in Europe, it’s been a long time since I played in the Champions League, I’m missing it."
Lyon though do not even have any form of European football next season but explained why he chose to return saying: "Even without Europe, the project is important.
"I felt useful in the locker room and on the pitch. It was the best decision to make.
"I took some time to make my decision. Football is a beautiful profession. It was complicated to follow OL’s last season from a distance because I couldn’t help. I hope this period is over and that we are going to find a great Lyon.
“The priority is above all to help the club return to the top of the bill with European qualification."
Further Jesus update
Journalist Ben Jacobs has provided an update on Arsenal's interest in Gabriel Jesus as well as Man City's stance on the striker.
He said: “I think Manchester City have, by all accounts, softened a little bit on the lowest valuation they’re prepared to sell for,” he said on The Football Terrace.
“When we first spoke about this, I think the fee was £55million in City’s head, something in that ballpark.
“Arsenal definitely thought that was around £10million too high.
“The situation now is that… the value of the deal has dropped by around £10-12million.
“So that’s well within Arsenal’s ballpark, and I think now, City will let Jesus go for somewhere in the low £40million.”
This sounds like good news for Mikel Arteta.
Competition for Jesus
It has been well reported that Arsenal want to sign Gabriel Jesus.
The Man City is believed to be keen to leave due to the imminent arrival of Erling Haaland with it set to restrict his game time.
The Gunners are in for him as confirmed by the player's agent Marcelo Pettinati but so are plenty of other clubs.
Jesus' agent said: "We had talks with Arsenal about Gabriel Jesus, we like the project - it’s a possibility we’re discussing.
"There are 6 more clubs interested in Gabriel... we’ll see."
Done Deal - Lacazette returns to Lyon
Alexandre Lacazette has completed his return to Lyon after being released by Arsenal as a free agent.
Lacazette's three-year deal has been confirmed at a press conference this morning.
He spent five years at the Emirates following a £52million move from Lyon in 2017.
Arsenal confident on Tielemans deal
According to CBS, Arsenal are confident of signing Leicester midfielder Youri Tielemans.
The Belgian's contract at the King Power Stadium is entering the final year.
He is rated at rumoured £40million.
Akanji offered to Gunners
In a SunSport exclusive, Arsenal have been offered Borussia Dortmund defender Manuel Akanji.
A deal could be on the table for £21million.
The Swiss international is also being tracked by Man Utd and is set to leave Signal Iduna Park due to the departure of manager Marco Rose and signings of two new central defenders in Niklas Sule and Nico Schlotterbeck.
Man City won't move for Saka this summer
The Mirror are claiming that Bukayo Saka will not be heading to Man City this summer.
The Premier League champions are keeping an eye on him but won't make a move in this transfer window.
Liverpool and Real Madrid are also reportedly keen, all three clubs would be able to offer the Arsenal ace Champions League football.
Saka in no rush to sign new contract
Bukayo Saka was awarded Arsenal's player of the season award yesterday for the second successive season but his future could be in doubt.
Reports via 90min claim that the England star is in no rush to sign a new long-term deal at the Gunners.
Man City are believed to be keeping tabs on Saka.
The player is about to enter the final year of his deal but there is an option for an extension to it.
Good morning Gunners fans
Arsenal have congratulated Bukayo Saka on winning the Player of the Season prize.
The 20-year-old became the first Arsenal player to retain the Player of the Season award since Thierry Henry in 2004.
Arsenal fans are hoping to seal a transfer for Yves Bissouma this summer after the midfielder hinted at a move.
The Brighton star, 25, reposted two comments from an Gunners supporter who revealed their wish to sign Bissouma.
The club appear to have let slip that Eddie Nketiah has signed a long-term contract extension at the Emirates.
Nketiah appeared on a poster previewing Arsenal’s friendly clash against German outfit FC Nurnberg on July 8.
Alexandre Lacazette is reportedly on the cusp of completing a move to Lyon.
The striker left Arsenal on a free transfer and is set to be unveiled by Lyon once he completes a medical.
Partey name change
Thomas Partey has revealed that he’s now going by a new name Yakubu as part of his conversion to Islam.
But he’ll still be referred to as Partey when playing for Arsenal.
And his shirt will also continue to bear his first name Thomas, the Evening Standard reported.
Bissouma reposts Gunners fan love
Bissouma is believed to be valued at around £50million by Brighton – the same fee that took Ben White from the south coast to the Emirates last summer.
And fortunately for Mikel Arteta it appears Bissouma is aiming to follow in the England star’s footsteps.
The ex-Lille ace re-posted two messages from an Arsenal fan on Tuesday.
The first comment read: “For me, I think he and Tielemans should be our priority at midfield, we must get [Bissouma] at all costs.”
The supporter followed that up by adding: “I’ve been following up on Bissouma and I think he’s the one to replace Partey long-term, he’s just 25.”
Bissouma’s contract expires in 2023 too which means Brighton could be open to selling as this is their final chance to cash in.
Bissouma to North London?
Arsenal fans are hoping to seal a transfer for Yves Bissouma this summer after the midfielder hinted at a move.
The Brighton star, 25, reposted two comments from an Arsenal supporter who revealed their wish to sign Bissouma.
The Gunners have been linked with a move for the Mali international since last summer and it appears Bissouma is keen to join.
And now, just a day after the midfielder’s cryptic posts, The Athletic are reporting Aston Villa have ended their pursuit of the Seagulls’ ace.
Villa were reportedly set to battle Arsenal for Bissouma this summer so their withdrawal from the transfer race is a big boost for the Gunners.
It means technical director Edu has a better chance of agreeing a fee with Brighton although there is still the interest from Monaco to contend with.
Superstar Saka
Arsenal have congratulated Bukayo Saka on winning the Player of the Season prize.
A statement read: “Bukayo bagged several big goals including key strikes against Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Brentford.
“Our No7 has become the first Arsenal player to retain the Player of the Season award since Thierry Henry in 2004, and only the fourth player to win the trophy back-to-back after Henry, Ian Wright and Liam Brady.
“Congratulations, Bukayo!”
Our No7 has become the first Arsenal player to retain the Player of the Season award since Thierry Henry in 2004.
Arsenal
Player of the Season rankings
Arsenal’s 2021/22 Player of the Season award rankings are as follows…
1 – Bukayo Saka
2 – Martin Odegaard
3 – Aaron Ramsdale
Have Gunners accidentally leaked Nketiah confirmation?
Arsenal appear to have let slip that Eddie Nketiah has signed a long-term contract extension at the Emirates, writes Jake Lambourne.
The 23-year-old is set to depart North London at the end of June when his current deal expires.
But the England youth international is believed to be ready to extend his stay with Arsenal until 2027.
Judging by an Arsenal promotional poster, the ex-Leeds loanee could have already committed his future.
Nketiah has appeared in a social media post previewing Arsenal's friendly clash against German outfit FC Nurnberg on July 8.
As it stands, Nketiah wouldn't be eligible to play against the Bundesliga 2 club as he would be a free agent.
Is it a sign?
Lacazette to Lyon ‘nearly complete’
Alexandre Lacazette is reportedly on the cusp of completing a move to Lyon.
The striker left Arsenal on a free transfer and is set to be unveiled by Lyon once he completes a medical.
That’s according to Fabrizio Romano who claims Lyon will release an official statement over the move soon.
He said: "Alexandre Lacazette is now set to sign the contract with OL on a free move after medical tests completed. Official statement expected soon."
Gnabry’s ‘still a Gunner’
Serge Gnabry “still has Arsenal in him” according to Kevin Campbell amid reports linking the Bayern Munich star with a return to North London.
Campbell told Football Insider: “The likes of Gnabry would fit in seamlessly. He knows the club. It would be the second coming but he knows the club.
“It is not as if it would be all new to him. That part of it is really important. You want new signings to hit the ground running. You would not have to worry about that with Gnabry.
“There is definite legs in it because Gnabry still has Arsenal in him. If the opportunity arises… Wow. He is quality.”
Partey name change
Thomas Partey has revealed that he’s now going by a new name Yakubu as part of his conversion to Islam.
But he’ll still be referred to as Partey when playing for Arsenal.
And his shirt will also continue to bear his first name Thomas, the Evening Standard reported.