Latest news with #GabrielMartinelli
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Barcelona eye Arsenal, Bayern Munich wingers as alternatives for top targets
Barcelona's summer transfer window appears to have a clear-cut outline at this point and the priorities of the administration are the goalkeeper and the left-wing positions. The targets for the former have been relatively limited, but Barcelona have been linked to plenty of names for the attacking position including Luis Diaz and Marcus Rashford. Advertisement The Liverpool star was initially seen as their top target, but the high asking price saw them shift focus to Rashford who was expected to be available on loan. With Manchester United now pushing a case to shell out €40 million for his signing, however, Barcelona are looking towards a plan C and SPORT relay that two names come to their mind. The alternatives As relayed by the outlet, Barcelona have Bayern Munich's Kingsley Coman and Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli as backup options in case the Rashford transfer does not work out. Hansi Flick has worked with Coman during his time in Germany and knows the player well. His contract at Bayern Munich runs until 2027 and he has been a Barcelona target for long, thus making him a strong candidate to be linked with the club. Kingsley Coman on Barcelona's radar. (Photo by) Bayern Munich, however, will also not make it easy to let go of the dynamic winger and the deal may thus not work out much cheaper than the Rashford idea. Advertisement In the case of Martinelli, meanwhile, the situation is quite similar as his deal in London also runs until the end of June 2027. Given his age and market value, signing him may well work out to be more expensive than the Rashford option although it is clear that the Gunner is a superior talent who can fit in better in the long run. With Barcelona determined to sign a reliable option for a reasonable price, it remains to be seen which player appeals to them as the best deal. Nico Williams, needless to say, will also be on their radar.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Arsenal transfer news: The three left wingers on Mikel Arteta's list, the shock name who could make Gunners return and the SEVEN stars heading for the exit
Arsenal completed an unwanted hat-trick this season of second-place finishes in the Premier League, and made it five years in a row without a trophy. The progression under Mikel Arteta is clear, and beating Real Madrid home and away will live long in the memory, but this was the first backwards step of the Spaniard's reign. And the reasons why are both clear and urgent - injuries played their part, as did the number of red cards Arsenal received, but a lack of striker depth and goalscoring options meant the Gunners did not have a player score 10 league goals for the first time in 101 years. That is the most obvious need that must be addressed this summer, but what else will they do and who might leave to boost the budget? Here, our Arsenal expert ISAAN KHAN answers all the key questions. Arsenal suffered Champions League heartbreak in the semi-finals against Paris Saint-Germain The Gunners were plagued by red cards this season as they finished second for the third year in a row What do Arsenal need this summer? A striker is the most urgent need for Arsenal, who are targeting a new No 9 as a priority. They have badly required one since last summer and their failure to act in that period has arguably contributed to another season without silverware. The other area of major interest is left wing. Arsenal have long been assessing reinforcements in this position, which is currently quite thin. Gabriel Martinelli is a good player, but has lacked consistency for some time now and the club want to bring in competition for his place. Gabriel Martinelli is a good player, but has lacked consistency for some time now and the club want to bring in competition for his place Signing a back-up goalkeeper to David Raya is being assessed, with Espanyol's Joan Garcia widely favoured Signing a back-up goalkeeper to David Raya is being assessed, with Espanyol's Joan Garcia widely favoured. Though Garcia would cost around £20million, which is pricey for a No 2, and they face competition for the 24-year-old from Newcastle, Barcelona and Aston Villa. Left back could be a further position Arsenal consider with a potential hole in the summer because of departures, with Kieran Tierney returning to Celtic and Oleksandr Zinchenko likely to leave. Central midfield should be covered by the expected arrival of Martin Zubimendi, who fills the hole left by Jorginho's departure to Flamengo in Brazil. How big is their budget and is PSR a major concern? Having reached the Champions League semi-finals and finished runners-up in the Premier League, Arsenal are in a strong spending position. Their European journey earned the Gunners £97m, while securing second place in the league nets at least £175m. Factors such as strong commercial revenue growth (an increase to £218m for the 2023-24 season compared to £169m for the 2022-23 campaign), improved matchday income, and a manageable wage bill have dictated why the club are in solid PSR standing. It equates to a big summer of spending — if the club want to do so. Who are they interested in? Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko are the two main striker contenders. It's understood that Sporting are currently searching for a new striker and expect former Brighton and Coventry frontman Viktor Gyokeres to leave this summer Slovenia international Benjamin Sesko has struck 26 goals in this campaign and at 21 years old, presents an ideal profile for future growth AC Milan's Portugal left winger Rafael Leao has been looked at Alexander Isak of Newcastle is Arteta's preferred choice, but that is highly unlikely to happen with the Toon club having secured Champions League football for next season, which means Isak's asking price is likely to be well north of £100m. It's understood that Sporting are currently searching for a new striker and expect former Brighton and Coventry frontman Gyokeres to leave this summer. Because the Portuguese side are demanding a price in excess of £70m, the Swede's options are limited to a few clubs with the financial power and willingness to spend that on a single player. Arsenal are one such team, with new sporting director Andrea Berta said to admire Gyokeres from his time working at Atletico Madrid. But internally views are torn on whether the striker can hit the ground running in the Premier League as the Primeira Liga is a different proposition, even though he has scored 57 goals in 49 appearances for club and country this season. It's understood that Manchester United are also interested in the player, who flourished under manager Ruben Amorim at Sporting. Slovenia international Sesko has struck 26 goals in this campaign and at 21 years old, presents an ideal profile for future growth. The Gunners have also previously done much of the groundwork on a potential Sesko deal, having been close to signing him last summer before the player became unsure over how much game time he would get. On the left wing, Nico Williams of Atletico Club is the priority but his wages make it a difficult deal to do. AC Milan's Rafael Leao and Borussia Dortmund's English winger Jamie Gittens have been looked at, too. As reported by Mail Sport in January, Real Sociedad's Zubimendi is set to join this summer for around £51million in a deal which is virtually complete. The 26-year-old midfielder will help shore the Gunners up in the middle of the pitch. In terms of a No 2 goalkeeper, Garcia is in the frame, while former Gunner Emiliano Martinez has been a surprise link in recent days. Which young players could break out next season to fill gaps in the first-team squad? Max Dowman, 15, has been name-checked a couple of times this season by Arteta and Declan Rice, and is going on the Arsenal pre-season tour of Asia this summer Dowman will hope to make the same breakthrough next season as Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly did this campaign Lewis-Skelly went from having no senior appearances to scoring on his England debut Max Dowman is the obvious one. The 15-year-old has been name-checked a couple of times this season by Arteta and Declan Rice, and is going on the Arsenal pre-season tour of Asia this summer. Those at the club are massively excited about the teenager and expect him to be part of the first-team squad next season. Arteta hinted that he would already have made his first-team debut if not for Premier League rules, which restrict players registered as Under 15s from being in senior squads. Aside from Dowman, Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly can be expected to continue rising in the same vein of late, with Lewis-Skelly having made himself a first-team regular in his breakthrough season and earned two England caps. It's easy to forget that this time last year Lewis-Skelly was still a way away from being a regular in the first-team squad, and he has now made 39 appearances for his boyhood club and scored on his England debut against Albania in March. Fellow 18-year-old Nwaneri struck nine goals in his breakout campaign, including two excellent finishes in the Champions League and a goal of the season contender in the euphoric 5-1 thrashing of Manchester City in February. Which players are set to leave? Loanees Raheem Sterling and Neto are returning to parent clubs Chelsea and Bournemouth, Jorginho is joining Flamengo and Tierney is heading back to Glasgow. Sterling's last-minute loan has not worked out at all, with the 30-year-old scoring just once in 28 appearances, against Bolton in the League Cup in September. Neto, who arrived already cup-tied for the League Cup, played just once and made a glaring error in Girona in the Champions League before Arsenal came back to win. The future of Thomas Partey remains less clear. The midfielder's contract expires this summer but Arteta wants to keep the 31-year-old at the club. Zinchenko has also been strongly linked with an exit. Kieran Tierney signed off from Arsenal in style with the opening goal at Southampton on Sunday Arsenal are in talks with Leandro Trossard over a new deal but his future is still up in the air Jakub Kiwior had looked destined for the exit but he performed admirably when deputising for the injured Gabriel, especially in the two wins over Real Madrid As Mail Sport reported, Leandro Trossard is locked in talks over a new contract which would reach 2029 but his future is still up in the air. The Gunners rebuffed interest from Saudi Arabia last summer but it may be the time to move on, with Trossard now 30 and having scored just 10 times in 56 games this season. Earlier in the season, Jakub Kiwior was being eyed for the exit this summer but that plan could now change after impressively stepping in at centre back in recent weeks following Gabriel's injury. Long-term absentees Takehiro Tomiyasu and Gabriel Jesus are now fringe players but would not be sold this summer while they recover from their injuries.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Arsenal summer plans: Bukayo Saka contract talks and big-money striker signing to fuel fresh title bid
Mikel Arteta had not even boarded the bus to leave Southampton on Sunday evening, but already his mind was turning towards next season. The Arsenal manager said those thoughts left him with 'goosebumps and excitement' ahead of what is a big summer for the club. It is now five years since the Gunners won a major trophy - and both Arteta and those above him are determined for that to end next season. Arteta reiterated on Sunday night, after Arsenal's 2-1 win at Southampton, that the summer plans are in place and they will be finalised over the next few days. 'Believe me, we are on it,' he said. 'We will try to squeeze and think and turn every stone that we possibly can, to make this club even more successful.'Contract renewals Much of the focus this summer will be on who comes through the door at Arsenal, but Arteta has stressed the importance of tying down key players. 'Make sure that the ones that we have, they feel valued, they feel loved and make sure that they want to continue with us in the right manner,' he said earlier this month. Arsenal want to tie down Bukayo Saka and William Saliba to new contracts, and they have already opened talks with the latter. Negotiations with Saka are due to ramp up this summer as both he and Saliba are into the final two years of their current deals. Gabriel is in the same situation and Arsenal would like him to agree fresh terms, too. Gabriel Martinelli also has two years left on his contract, but his situation is less urgent as his deal has the option to be extended by a further 12 months. Academy graduates Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly both have a year left on their contracts and tying them down is a priority for Arsenal. Thomas Partey will be out of contract at the end of next month, but he is in talks over a new deal. Leandro Trossard has also reportedly held talks over fresh terms. Incomings The priority for Arsenal this summer is a new striker as, for the first time since the 1923-24 season, they finished a campaign without a player scoring 10 or more league goals. Arteta is a big fan of Alexander Isak, but he will surely prove unattainable now after Newcastle qualified for next season's Champions League. Arsenal were keen on RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko last summer and remain fans of him, while Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres is another option. The Gunners failed with a bid for Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins in January. Brighton forward Joao Pedro and Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike have been touted as alternative solutions. Arsenal would also like to add a back-up goalkeeper, midfielder and wide player during the transfer window. Defensive reinforcements could also be on the menu, but that is more dependent on outgoings. Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams is a long-term target and he has a release clause of around £50million. Reports in Spain have claimed Real Madrid star Rodrygo may be available this summer and he would surely interest Arsenal, as well as other Premier League clubs. Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi is expected to join for £50m. Arsenal remain keen on Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia. Outgoings Arteta confirmed after the win at Southampton that the match was the final game for four players in his squad. 'Some of them, like Kieran [Tierney], they've been on this journey for six years with us,' he said. 'Jorginho, we're trying to hug him, Neto and Raheem [Sterling] as well. 'So, there are a few players that I had the duty to say thank you to. I think we all have and we wish them the best for the next season.' There will be more exits, with Nuno Tavares likely to kick things off by making his loan move to Lazio permanent. Fellow loanees Albert Sambi Lokonga, Fabio Vieira and Reiss Nelson face uncertain futures and could all leave. Oleksandr Zinchenko has one year left on his contract and will be allowed to go if the right offer comes in. Borussia Dortmund were keen on him in January. Jakub Kiwior has started the last 11 games of the season and it is unclear if he will leave Arsenal this summer. The Poland international had previously been linked with a string of clubs in Italy after struggling for minutes earlier this season. Pre-season plans Arteta has stressed the need for his players to rest and reset over the coming weeks, but it won't be long before pre-season rolls around. The Gunners are heading to Hong Kong and Singapore in July, where they will have games against AC Milan, Newcastle and Tottenham. Before that, Arsenal are expected to kick preparations off early with a mini training camp - just like last year. On that occasion, a group of players worked together in Marbella. Their families joined them on the trip as they combined the pre-season training with down time. Arteta recently revealed that a similar camp is being planned - because the players are eager to hit the ground running. 'The players are demanding it,' said Arteta. 'I mean nowadays I think it's impossible to have four, five, six weeks on your sun bed, putting sun cream [on] and just ordering drinks. 'Then come back, six weeks later and go full gas, tour and play 65 games. I think it's impossible. Now they demand themselves to be in the best possible condition. 'We are really lucky because we have boys there that they want to spend the summer with their families and with them, so they want to be together as well, so if they can pick a place that we can do that, we can facilitate that, more than welcome to do that.'
New York Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Arsenal transfers: Futures of Martinelli and Trossard may prove key to summer plans
For all the talk of Arsenal's need for a No 9, other areas of the front line may come into focus during the transfer window. Arsenal want to add to their wide options. Their interest in Athletic Club's Nico Williams is longstanding and well-known but Arsenal are also monitoring alternatives abroad and within the Premier League, including Jamie Gittens of Borussia Dortmund. Advertisement Securing a new winger will not be straightforward. Significant signings are already expected in centre-forward, holding midfield, goalkeeper and perhaps even defence. If Arsenal are to add multiple attackers, a sale may be required. That has led to some speculation over the futures of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, valuable assets who could strengthen Arsenal's budget during the window. For the time being, both remain part of Mikel Arteta's plans. As part of his first few months in the job, sporting director Andrea Berta has held talks with the representatives of virtually every Arsenal squad member, including Martinelli and Trossard. The message to Martinelli has been that Arsenal intend to keep their best players, and count the Brazilian among them. Although his contract technically expires in 2027, Arsenal hold an option for an additional year and do not consider the situation urgent. No significant talks have been held over an extension. This being football, though, things could change. If a huge offer arrives — one that is also attractive to Martinelli — plans could shift. That will not be easy to come by. The group of elite clubs he would be prepared to join is relatively small and considering he effectively has three years left on his deal, Arsenal value Martinelli above £50million ($67m). Martinelli moved to Arsenal at 18 from Ituano in Brazil. He feels a special connection to the Premier League club, not something he could easily to replicate. 'This is my home,' he said in April. 'I love to be here. I love the club.' The Brazil international has no designs on moving. Trossard's situation is slightly different, simply because he's at a different stage in his career. The Belgium international is 30 and will be aware that his next big contract could be his last at the elite level. Advertisement His representatives have been engaged in talks with Berta over his contract, which is set to run until 2027. Those conversations, however, do not centre on an extension but on an uplift in salary. Arsenal have recognised for some time that Trossard's contract does not reflect his standing within the squad, and are now engaged in negotiations to put that right. If an agreement can be struck, it could be an ideal outcome for Arteta and Arsenal, enabling them to keep a player who has shown he can be a potential difference-maker, without necessarily committing to an extended contract. As with Martinelli, an attractive offer from elsewhere could change things. Trossard has previously fielded interest from Saudi Arabian clubs, but also has admirers among Europe's biggest leagues. If one of those submitted an appropriate offer, Trossard's age and contract situation mean club and player would have to consider it. There are other wide players at Arsenal whose futures appear clearer. It is expected Raheem Sterling will return to Chelsea when his loan deal expires in a few weeks. Two hamstring injuries, one in each leg, severely limited Reiss Nelson's opportunities to make a prolonged impact during his loan at Fulham. He will again be permitted to explore opportunities to leave the club but as was the case last summer, Arsenal would prefer a permanent deal. As an academy player, selling Nelson would be booked as pure profit under the Premier League's financial rules, which would increase Arsenal's flexibility in the market. Marquinhos, 22, is on loan with Cruzeiro until December. The Brazilian side are keen to renegotiate the terms of his loan to allow him to play more games without triggering a purchase option. Another factor to consider in Arsenal's pursuit of a winger is the future of Ethan Nwaneri. Arsenal are talking to the 18-year-old about a new contract, and a clear pathway to regular first-team minutes is a key consideration. Nwaneri exhibited a clear ability to play on the right flank during Bukayo Saka's absence. Do Arsenal see him continuing there, or are they prepared to shift him inside to his more natural role as a No 8? There is no debate about Arsenal's need to add a striker. The composition of the rest of their attack, however, remains uncertain. Martinelli and Trossard continue to hold an important place in Arteta's pencilled plans. The market will dictate whether that is still the case come August.
The Sun
18-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Arsenal vs Newcastle LIVE SCORE: Action on NOW as Isak OUT in huge blow to Toon while Havertz returns to Gunners squad
Arsenal team news Kai Havertz could return to the matchday squad after four months out with a hamstring injury. Mikel Merino received two yellow cards at Liverpool, meaning he is suspended for this afternoon's clash - proving Havertz's return timely. Declan Rice, Leonardo Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli and Jurrien Timber have all trained this week and will be assessed.
