Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Barcelona planning ‘shock move' for Gunners star, Leao update, Arteta targets £50m ‘ace'

The Sun

2 days ago

ARSENAL are looking ahead to a busy summer transfer window after another trophyless season.
Barcelona are planning a shock move for Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli, with Hansi Flick's side looking to strengthen out wide.
The Gunners have also been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Rafael Leao, with new AC Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri viewing the Portuguese winger as a crucial part of his plans.
Elsewhere, Arsenal are targeting Real Sociedad winger Takefusa Kubo, alongside RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko.
5th Mar 2025, 17:59 By Jordan Davies
Merino on false No9 role
Even Mikel Merino thinks it is 'crazy' that he is the solution to Arsenal's No9 woes.
But the Spanish midfielder insists you should not be put in a straitjacket for believing the Gunners have a real chance of winning the Champions League this term.
Joining from Real Sociedad for £32million last summer, Merino, 28, was only meant to be a squad player – and didn't make his debut until October after breaking his shoulder in his first training session.
Five months later and he is leading the line and scoring as Arsenal broke SIX records in their historic 7-1 first leg thumping of PSV Eindhoven in the Last 16.
Merino now has three goals in his last four in all competitions playing that role in the absence of Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus – both crocked for the season following knee operations earlier this year.
It is kind of crazy, to be honest. It was a long time ago I last played as a striker. I was seven years old, in my school team. I was playing everywhere, not just a striker. So, it is something new for me. I am trying to adapt the best way possible and do the best I can.
I have been talking with the analysts, the boss as well. I pride myself in trying to understand what happens on the pitch, not only in my position as a No8, but also other positions.
Obviously, some days will be better, some days will be worse. But the work is there every day, the grind. I am trying to improve every single day in my new position, trying to help the team. So, when good things happen, I am really proud of that.
Mikel Merino
By Kostas Lianos
Sesko release clause revealed
Arsenal transfer target Benjamin Sesko will be available for just £66million this summer.
Sesko is thought to be a major target for the Gunners heading to the upcoming transfer window.
And reports claim the centre-forward will have an active release clause worth £66million at the end of the season.
But Arsenal face competition from other clubs, including Premier League rivals Manchester United.
5th Mar 2025, 13:10 By Jim Sheridan
Will to stay
Arsenal are reportedly weighing up a bumper new contract for William Saliba.
The centre-back has become an integral part of Mikel Arteta's defence at the Emirates.
Real Madrid have been eyeing the 23-year-old, who has formed a strong partnership with Gabriel.
According to TBR Football, Arsenal are willing to make Saliba one of the highest-earners at the club with a new deal.
5th Mar 2025, 12:36 By Jim Sheridan
He's no Joe-ke
Joe Cole has heaped praise on Arsenal wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri - and claims he's the continent's "most exciting player."
And the former Chelsea midfielder begged Thomas Tuchel to call up Nwaneri for his next England squad.
Cole told TNT Sports: "For me, he's so good that he doesn't need the U21s. In my opinion, he's that good.
"He needs to go straight in with Thomas Tuchel, get around the squad and get some minutes, because he's an England player for the next 10-15 years.
"I think he is going to be an absolute genius. I think he's the most exciting footballer in England and maybe Europe. What he's doing is incredible."
5th Mar 2025, 12:08 By Jim Sheridan
Skell to pay
Thomas Tuchel remains unconvinced over Myles Lewis-Skelly as he prepares to name his first England squad.
The teenager was hooked in the first half of the 7-1 win over PSV on Tuesday after another booking.
Tuchel is believed to have some reservations over Lewis-Skelly's age and lack of experience.
The 18-year-old has not played England under-21s but has broken through at the Emirates this season.
5th Mar 2025, 11:36 By Jim Sheridan
Sutton - Gunners are 'ruthless'
Chris Sutton has declared Arsenal are the team nobody wants to face in the Champions League.
Following the Gunners' 7-1 win over PSG, the ex-Blackburn striker told the BBC: "That is a statement win for Arsenal.
"All the talk before was about PSV and how dangerous they are, they took out Juventus.
"But, after that, no one will want to face Arsenal.
"In the Champions League, the games are that bit slower and they are well equipped to play with such pace and energy. They were ruthless."
5th Mar 2025, 11:05 By Jim Sheridan
Arteta warning
Mikel Arteta has told his Arsenal team to enjoy their stunning 7-1 win over PSV - but get focused for the weekend.
The Gunners travel to the North West to take on Man Utd at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Arteta said: "We go to Old Trafford.
"[We must control] how we behave, how we play and are we able to win a game.
"That's it, enjoy tonight because it was a very impressive performance and an unbelievable score.
"We deserve that and I'll take it and keep improving as a team."
5th Mar 2025, 10:37 By Jim Sheridan
Ivan the terrible
Former Spurs star Ivan Perisic has ended up with egg on his face following a pre-match taunt.
The PSV winger started last night as the Dutch side were hammered 7-1 by the Gunners.
Prior to the contest, he'd suggested Arsenal were "always missing something" in the hunt for trophies.
Fans were quick to bring up the bold comment as they poked fun at the former Spurs star.
One posted on X: "Spoke too soon."
While a second joked: "You can get Ivan out of Tottenham but you can't get Tottenham out of Ivan."
5th Mar 2025, 10:06 By Jim Sheridan
King switch
Former Arsenal target Kingsley Coman is being eyed by Liverpool and Newcastle, reports claim.
The Gunners looked set to swoop for the Bayern Munich winger over the summer.
But a deal failed to materialise between the two clubs.
CaughtOffside report both the Reds and Newcastle are interested in the £37m-rated star, whose deal in Munich runs out in 2027.
5th Mar 2025, 09:41 By Jim Sheridan
Record breakers
Arsenal's 7-1 win over PSV last night smashed records right, left and centre.
The Gunners had six different scorers on the night as they all but confirmed their place in the CL quarter finals.
A few choice records from a historic night in Eindhoven:
The Gunners are the first team to score 7+ goals away from home in a CL knockout stage match.
Arsenal were leading 5-1 by the 48th minute; the earliest an away side has ever scored five goals in an away Champions League game.
Arsenal are the first team in CL history to have six different scorers in an away knockout stage game.
5th Mar 2025, 09:09 By Jim Sheridan
Rice - Nwaneri the real deal
Declan Rice has hailed the impact of Ethan Nwaneri - and believes on current form he'd be pushing Bakayo Saka for a starting place.
Nwaneri was on the scoresheet last night as the Gunners thrashed PSV Eindhoven 7-1.
Rice told TNT: "He's 17-years-old and playing on the biggest stage in football, it's crazy.
"We see him every day in training. All of the lads have taken him under our wings, same with Myles and they deserve to be playing.
"You should see them train they way they have no fear, they want to come and perform he was brilliant tonight.
"Listen, even if [injured Saka] was still here Ethan would still be in and around the team and getting minutes because trust me he trains that well and he's that good."
5th Mar 2025, 08:38 By Jim Sheridan
Age no Barrios
Arsenal are eyeing a move for Atletico Madrid's Pablo Barrios - if their pursuit of Martin Zubimendi fails.
The Gunners have long courted Sociedad's Zubimendi, who is also being tracked by Real Madrid.
According to reports in Spain, £83m-rated Barrios is the Gunners' next man up should Zubimendi snub a move to the Emirates.
5th Mar 2025, 08:06 By Jim Sheridan
Sesko race
Manchester United are reportedly ready to rival Arsenal in the race for Benjamin Sesko.
The RB Leipzig forward has scored 10 goals in the Bundesliga this season.
Arsenal are considered the frontrunners to sign the Slovenian star.
But Sky in Germany report United have a credible interest in bringing him to Old Trafford.
5th Mar 2025, 07:39 By
Theo no-show
Former Arsenal star Theo Walcott missed two of the Gunners' goals against PSV - because he's INJURED.
The 35-year-old was on the mic with Amazon Prime for last night's 7-1 demolition of PSV Eindhoven.
But he missed goals from Martin Odegaard and Leandro Trossard early in the second half - because he couldn't limp fast enough with a "poorly knee."
Walcott spent 12 years at the Emirates, scoring 108 goals in 397 appearances.
Walcott was blighted by injury for much of his career, with persistent knocks forcing him to hang up his boots in 2023.
5th Mar 2025, 07:09 By James Orr
Lewis-Skelly off after 34 mins
Myles Lewis-Skelly was dragged off just 34 minutes into Arsenal's stunning 7-1 Champions League win over PSV.
The young defender was fortunate to escape being sent-off in the match for two yellow card challenges during the round of 16 first leg.
Lewis-Skelly, 18, was booked in the 24th minute for a foul deep inside his own half.
He was then penalised for a very late challenge on Richard Ledezma just two minutes later.
There were calls from the PSV players that Lewis-Skelly should be sent off by the referee, Jesus Gil Manzano kept his cards in his pocket.
Arsenal then stormed into a three-goal lead thanks to efforts from Jurrien Timber, Ethan Nwaneri and Mikel Merino.
Nwaneri's goal came from a stunning Lewis-Skelly assist.
5th Mar 2025, 06:00 By Kostas Lianos
Rice speaks to the media
Arsenal star Declan Rice insists the performance at PSV Eindhoven wasn't something new as the team has been "playing like this all season" despite their recent injury issues.
We were fluid, we had enthusiasm. We had the drive and hunger, it's the knockout rounds of the Champions League.
But we have [been] playing like this all season. We spoke about a narrative but we players feel like we've been doing well. Sometimes we score five or six, sometimes we score two or three, sometimes we can lose by one.
That's where we need to keep pushing as a team with the mentality. Tonight we did that.
When they came back to make it 3-1, we could have sat back. But we pushed on and you saw that with the goals we scored in the second half. A massive performance.
Declan RiceAmazon Prime Sport
5th Mar 2025, 05:00 By Kostas Lianos
Mikel Arteta reacts
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta saw his players score seven goals despite their ongoing striker crisis.
For sure. We talk about boxes in the Champions League, how important they are. Today is one of the great examples of that.
So happy for the boys, the last two games we haven't scored a goal and there's all the noise around it.
The goals that we put tonight were very impressive.
Mikel ArtetaAmazon Prime Sport
5th Mar 2025, 04:00 By Kostas Lianos
Odegaard speaks out
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard praised his team-mates after a stunning performance against PSV Eindhoven.
Especially after the last few games, we needed a performance like this. It was brilliant from the start until the end. Really good going forwards, attacking the box with chances and goals. Unfortunately we conceded one goal.
Not too much. We work hard everyday to improve. Especially after the performances like the West Ham one and the last one, we wanted to do better.
A lot of work around the box and finishing, but we always work hard and try to do our best. Today it clicked.
We had a little extra focus on finishing after the last few games. We know we have the quality, we have done it so many times.
Doing it at this level, it's really fun to play. We know we have that level so it was good to get everything out there.
Martin OdegaardAmazon Prime Sport