Arsenal trim squad as Arteta deal nears
Arsenal eye 18-year-old Spurs defender Elijah Upson after he rejects a pro deal. The Gunners step up youth recruitment as they target Jeremy Monga and Emmanuel Mbemba too.
Morocco’s Ayyoub Bouaddi, valued at £60m, is ‘really happy’ with interest and will decide after the World Cup. Arsenal keep talks with his camp. Barcelona enquire for Bournemouth’s Eli Junior Kroupi, complicating Arsenal’s chase.
Adidas Originals’ 1992-inspired Arsenal retro shirt leaks, featuring navy base, white EQT shoulder Three Stripes, red sleeves and central Trefoil above the classic ‘Victoria Concordia Crescit’ crest.
Man City’s huge Elliott Anderson bids could inflate the market, forcing Arsenal to pay more for Premier League targets like Sandro Tonali and Tino Livramento, and likely ruling out a move for Anderson himself.
Spurs join Arsenal and Man City in pursuing Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali, who is priced near £100m. Arsenal previously enquired and remain attentive as De Zerbi pushes for a marquee midfield addition.
Arsenal shortlist Sporting right-back Iván Fresneda after a breakout under Rui Borges. Sporting now deem him ‘untouchable’, despite earlier suggestions of offers above €30m being considered.
Arsenal and Chelsea monitor Crystal Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix, a Europa Conference League winner. He is on Arsenal’s shortlist but faces stiff competition for minutes at the Emirates.
Arsenal consider Club Brugge winger Christos Tzolis for around £35m to bolster the left flank. Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres scored at the World Cup, while Arsenal players have four goal involvements so far.
Arsenal are acting as if Mikel Arteta’s new three-year deal is done, finalising details while he is on holiday. Transfer plans are underway as he targets building on the Premier League title and the Champions League.
Nottingham Forest join Hamburg in the race for Fabio Vieira after his strong Hamburg loan. Arsenal are open to a sale if their valuation is met, with options being assessed in the coming weeks.
Arsenal’s 2026 priorities: sign a left-winger, recruit a right-back with Ben White injured, and future-proof midfield with young talent such as Ayyoub Bouaddi alongside current core.
Real Madrid target Riccardo Calafiori is now expected to stay at Arsenal after Jose Mourinho’s side turn to Marc Cucurella. Gunners confident the Italy defender remains in north London.
Micah Richards hails Kai Havertz after his Germany brace, saying the Arsenal forward ‘always delivers’. Havertz ended last season strongly for Arsenal and is pivotal for club and country at the World Cup.
Goncalo Ramos and Nuno Mendes criticise Arsenal for time-wasting and low possession in the Champions League final, which PSG won 4-3 on penalties after Ousmane Dembele cancelled Kai Havertz’s opener.
Arsenal reportedly agree personal terms with Manu Kone and prepare an offer to Roma, hoping to land the France midfielder for about £40m as cover and competition for Declan Rice.
Arsenal confirm 10 exits. Jakub Kiwior joins Porto for £14.7m plus add-ons, Karl Hein moves to Werder Bremen for £2.6m. Fabio Vieira and Reiss Nelson could still be sold after loans at Hamburg and Brentford.
Arsenal join a crowded race for Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White, valued at about £60m after 18 goals and 7 assists last season. Interest also from Man United, Man City, Chelsea and Spurs.
Bukayo Saka says he will ‘gamble’ on his fitness despite an Achilles issue and is ‘ready to go’ for England’s World Cup opener against Croatia, targeting a 50th cap while rotating with Noni Madueke.
William Saliba recalls grief, fitness issues and U23 exile after joining Arsenal in 2020, before loans at Nice and Marseille sparked his rise to become France’s World Cup starter.
