Arsenal are plotting two sensational signings to bolster their attack ahead of a push for Champions League glory next season, Liverpool hope to tempt Inter Milan to part with a midfielder by offering them one of their big-name stars, while Tuesday’s Euro Paper Talk claims Bruno Guimaraes has made a decision on his future amid Real Madrid links.
EDU SETS SIGHTS ON NICO WILLIAMS TRANSFER FOR ARSENAL
Arsenal are ready to go all out this summer with not one, but two blockbuster deals to strengthen their attack.
Mikel Arteta’s side are sat atop the Premier League and hope to end their 19-year title wait this season. They do have Manchester City breathing down their necks, though, with Manchester United a little further off the pace. As such, they can afford to make few errors during the run-in if they are to taste glory.
Whatever their fate, Arsenal are at least closing in on a guaranteed top-four finish this season. And with it, Champions League football can return to Emirates Stadium for the first time since 2015/16.
As a result, sporting director Edu is already making plans to strengthen Arsenal’s squad ahead of the summer.
And reports claim he wants two more attackers brought in that can catapult the Gunners into serious Champions League contenders.
According to Calciomercato, the name at the top of Edu’s wishlist is Nico Williams.
Alongside his brother, Inaki, the brothers have become mainstays of the Athletic Bilbao side in recent seasons.
But while Inaki has remained with the Basque club, it seems a summer move away for Nico is on the cards.
The 20-year-old winger currently has a £44m (€50m) exit clause in his contract. However, that arrangement is due to expire in summer 2024 – giving Arsenal a sniff at landing Williams on a cut-price deal.
And reports claim he wants two more attackers brought in that can catapult the Gunners into serious Champions League contenders.
According to Calciomercato, the name at the top of Edu’s wishlist is Nico Williams.
Alongside his brother, Inaki, the brothers have become mainstays of the Athletic Bilbao side in recent seasons.
But while Inaki has remained with the Basque club, it seems a summer move away for Nico is on the cards.
The 20-year-old winger currently has a £44m (€50m) exit clause in his contract. However, that arrangement is due to expire in summer 2024 – giving Arsenal a sniff at landing Williams on a cut-price deal.
Arsenal want to add Lautaro Martinez to Williams
Aston Villa and Liverpool are also reportedly keen. But Williams is reportedly insistent on only leaving Athletic Club for a Champions League side.
Knowing Arsenal have the edge, Edu has reportedly been in touch with the player’s representatives.
The Gunners, it seems, will not stop there, either. And next on their radar they are also reportedly eyeing a swoop for Lautaro Martinez.
The Argentina star is seen as one of Serie A’s best attackers and currently sits second behind Victor Osimhen in this season’s top scorers list.
However, Inter are still struggling financially and may need to cash in on a major asset this summer.
As such, journalist Phil Brown has told Football London that Arsenal are sniffing out a summer raid for Martinez.
“Arsenal have been interested in Lautaro for a long time,” said Brown. “Whether they’ve actually ever made a firm bid, I’m not sure.
“But certainly, there’s been talk of one, and I think he’s a player they would be willing to pay quite a lot of money for.”
Martinez is rated at around the £70m (€80m) mark and has 90 goals and 31 assists in 215 appearances for the Nerazzurri.
LIVERPOOL TO OFFER FABINHO IN SWAP FOR NICOLO BARELLA
Liverpool are ready to include Fabinho as part of their attempts to persuade Inter Milan to part with £78m-rated (€90m) Nicolo Barella. (InterLive.it)
Napoli will decide in the summer whether to take up their permanent option, worth around £25m, on Tottenham loanee Tanguy Ndombele. (CalcioNapoli 24)
Napoli are ready to double Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s salary in an effort to prevent the likes of Real Madrid and Liverpool moving. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
Everton target Duvan Zapata admits he is open to a summer move away from Atalanta if the right offer comes along. (Sportitalia)
Newcastle keeper Loris Karius is emerging as a possible target for Inter Milan, thanks to connection with his TV personality girlfriend Diletta Leotta. (FC Inter News)
Atletico Madrid are ‘sick to the teeth’ of Joao Felix with the two parties determined to go their separate ways this summer amid claims neither see a future for him in the Spanish capital. (AS TV)
Arsenal and Tottenham are keeping tabs on Fulham winger Manor Solomon following his impressive start to life at Craven Cottage. (Ynet)
ASTON VILLA REMAIN KEEN ON FRANCK KESSIE TRANSFER
Aston Villa are growing in confidence a deal can be done with Barcelona to sign midfielder Franck Kessie. (Sport)
Inter Milan chief executive Giuseppe Marotta claims Romelu Lukaku will return to Chelsea at the end of his season-long loan. (Sky Italia)
Nottingham Forest are targeting a summer swoop for Barcelona winger Abde Ezzalzouli, who is currently on loan at Osasuna. (various)
Barcelona director of football Mateu Alemany is opting against a move to Aston Villa after offering him a similar role. (Sport)
Juventus are closing on new contract agreements with Brazil internationals Danilo and Alex Sandro. (Sky Italia)
VfL Wolfsburg star Paulo Otavio admits he was the subject of a failed move to Brighton in January. (WAZ)
Liverpool midfielder Thiago has emerged as a target for AC Milan this summer after seeing his performance levels drop this season. (Calciomercato)
BRUNO GUIMARAES PLANS NEWCASTLE STAY AMID REAL MADRID LINKS
Bruno Guimaraes wants to stay at Newcastle following links to both Liverpool and Real Madrid. (Fabrizio Romano)
Barcelona continue to track Bernardo Silva and will make a fresh play to convince Man City to sell him this summer. (Sport)
Borussia Dortmund are hoping to secure the free-transfer signing of Eintracht Frankfurt’s Japan midfielder Daichi Kamada. (90min)
Leicester are monitoring Lecce midfielder Morten Hjulmand, following Southampton’s £9.7m (€11m) offer falling short in January. (Nicola Schira)
Rafael Leao’s priority is to stay at AC Milan, despite links to Liverpool, while Chelsea’s interest has cooled. (Fabrizio Romano)
Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets, 34, will decide in the next few weeks whether or not to stay for another season. (Sport)
