Transfer Gossip: Arsenal draw up spectacular six-man wishlist with two regulars facing the chop; Newcastle plan record signing of Leeds hero
Arsenal are targeting six major stars this summer with a deal for signing No 1 already close, Chelsea are ready to let a Todd Boehly signing leave on a free, while Thursday’s Transfer Gossip has news of a club-record signing for Newcastle United.
ARTETA HAS SIX-MAN WANTED LIST TO STRENGTHEN ARSENAL
Mikel Arteta and Edu have serious plans to strengthen Arsenal this summer – with the first of six signings almost agreed, according to a report.
The 2022/23 season will go down as one to remember for Arsenal fans. And while the club appears increasingly unlikely to prevent the Man City machine claiming a fifth title in six seasons, their efforts in pushing them so hard deserve huge commendation.
Indeed, their main objective for the season – returning to the Champions League – has already been achieved. And while they will likely finish without a trophy for their efforts, plans are already well underway to strengthen Arsenal further.
First up, Arteta wants to bolster his midfield and has two names on his radar.
According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal have placed both Declan Rice and Moises Caidedo right at the very top. And while Arsenal tried and failed to sign Caicedo from Brighton in the summer, they are ready to come back in for the Ecuadorian.
He will likely be joined at Emirates Stadium by Rice and the Mail claims there is a ‘growing confidence’ the West Ham skipper will agree to the move.
Failure to land either will see Arsenal turn to Southampton, with Romeo Lavia almost certain to leave St Mary’s.
In addition, Arteta wants to also bolster his attacking options and a move for Wilfried Zaha is also on the agenda. The winger becomes a free agent this summer when his Crystal Palace deal expires and the attraction is obvious for Arteta.
Arsenal eye double raid on Palace
Failing that, Arsenal are also looking to Germany with Bayer Leverkusen flyer Moussa Diaby also in their sights. The France star has 14 goals and eight assists from another excellent season. At just 23 years of age, he certainly fits the Arteta profile.
Their primary target though will be Zaha given the lack of money involved.
And he might not be the only Palace star moving to Arsenal this summer. And according to the Mail, they are also hot on the trail of his Eagles teammate Marc Guehi.
Arteta is determined to strengthen in central defence during the off season. Indeed, fears that the injury to William Saliba has seen their season crumble cannot be ignored. To that end, the Gunners boss sees former Chelsea man Guehi as a major upgrade to Rob Holding.
Holding is not the only Arsenal player coming under threat and the loss of form of Thomas Partey in recent weeks must also be of concern.
The Ghananian’s partnership with Granit Xhaka has been a feature of Arsenal’s season. However, the former Atletico Madrid has gone off the boil in recent weeks and the signing of a combination of Rice, Caicedo and Lavia could see his place come under threat.
Either way, Arteta and Co are determined to show that the 2022/23 season is only just the start of Arsenal’s revival.
READ MORE: Arsenal can steal Barcelona man from Leeds United grasp as Victor Orta sacking torpedoes ‘done deal’
CHELSEA TO LET PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG LEAVE ON A FREE
Chelsea are ready to let summer 2022 recruit Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang depart without a fee this summer.
The Blues paid Barcelona around £15m to bring the former Arsenal man back to the Premier League last summer.
However, the move to Stamford Bridge has quickly gone sour with Aubameyang finding himself kicking his heels on the sidelines.
Indeed, he has just three goals to his name from just 15 appearances – just five of which have been as a Premier League starter.
Now it seems a parting of ways is on the cards – and Todd Boehly is willing to offload the 33-year-old for nothing.
According to the Daily Telegraph, he will have his pick from four clubs with former clubs Barcelona and AC Milan competing with Atletico Madrid to keep him in Europe. But there is also interest from the USA with Los Angeles FC hoping to bring him to California.
Either way, Chelsea are willing to let him leave without requesting a fee.
His signing typifies the wasted millions spent since Boehly and Behdad Eghbali took over the Blues. And while his fee is a drop in the ocean compared to the rest of their £500m-plus outlay, it is still indicative of their time in charge.
Aubameyang to lead Chelsea clearout
And Aubameyang is likely to the first of many players to leave Chelsea this summer. Indeed, the likes of Mateo Kovacic, Christian Pulisic, Kalidou Koulibaly, Hakim Ziyech, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Kai Havertz, Edouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga could all soon depart.
Conor Gallagher is also up for sale for around £40m.
However, Boehly is determined to keep Liverpool target Mason Mount, with talks over a new deal increasing optimism an agreement will be reached. Meanwhile, Romelu Lukaku will also be offered a role under incoming new boss Mauricio Pochettino.
NEWCASTLE READY TO LAUNCH GIANT OFFER FOR RAPHINHA
Newcastle are planning to go all out to bring Raphinha back to the Premier League this summer.
The Brazilian departed Leeds last summer, securing his dream move to Barcelona in a £58m deal.
And while taking time to adapt, Raphinha is now a regular in the side. Indeed, the 10 goals and nine assists from 45 appearances this season; a fine tally in his debut campaign.
Well on the march to the LaLiga title, Raphinha is clearly loving life at the Nou Camp.
However, there is a growing feeling that this could prove his only season in Catalonia. And with Barcelona’s finacial issues well documented, Raphinha could prove the sacrificial lamb that the Spanish kings need.
Now according to The Sun, Newcastle believe that Barcelona are willing to accept a huge bid for the star. And the paper claims Eddie Howe’s side are prepping a club-record £70m offer to bring the player back to England.
And Howe believes the capture of Raphinha can take Newcastle to the next level on their Champions League return.
The deal will also see Newcastle shatter their transfer record. That currently stands at the £63m paid to Real Sociedad for Alexander Isak. And pairing them up in attack will have Newcastle fans licking their lips.
