ARSENAL are confident of signing Leicester's Youri Tielemans this summer, SunSport can reveal.
But Real Madrid are waiting in the wings for the Leicester man if the Gunners fail to reach the top four.
Elsewhere, Gabriel Jesus' switch from Manchester to North London has become a lot more imminent since Erling Haaland completed his medical with Man City.
And Aaron Hickey's deal to Arsenal is reportedly edging closer with Arteta looking to bolster his full-back options next season.
Keep up to date with all of the latest updates from the Emirates in our live blog…
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- Kostas Lianos
Jesus offer made
Arsenal have submitted a £43million bid for Manchester City star Gabriel Jesus.
That is according to GOAL, who report that an offer has been "formalised" and that negotiations are "close to an end".
The deal for the striker, 25, has been "sewn together" by fellow Brazilian and the Gunners' technical director Edu.
The 25-year-old's game time under City manager Pep Guardiola will be limited with the club announcing the signing of Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund
- Kostas Lianos
Gunner do it
Arsenal legend Martin Keown has tipped the Gunners to seal Champions League qualification with a 2-1 win over North London rivals Tottenham tonight.
Keown told the Daily Mail: "Tottenham are dangerous and have become so much more difficult to beat under [Antonio] Conte.
"Their front three is different class, and I’ve been immensely impressed by their new signings, [Dejan] Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur.
"But I believe this will finish 2-1 to Arsenal, with the confident [Eddie] Nketiah bagging the winner"
Credit: GETTY IMAGES - Kostas Lianos
Hickey talks incoming
Arsenal are set for transfer talks with Bologna over Aaron Hickey ahead of the summer window.
That is according to Corriere dello Sport, who claim that the Gunners could start negotiations for Hickey in the coming days.
The Italian club is open to a deal with the hope of banking £17million for the left-back.
The Serie a team's sporting director Riccardo Bigon is happy to talk with the North Londoners, although Napoli are also keen on the Scotland international
- Kostas Lianos
Gabriel Jesus confirmation
Manchester City star Gabriel Jesus' agent has confirmed transfer negotiations with Arsenal, admitting his client likes the project at the Emirates.
That is a major boost for the Gunners' chase for a striker as they face the prospect of having no one to lead the line in June, with Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah set to become free agents in June.
Jesus' agent Marcelo Pettinati has admitted that the Brazil international likes the project that Arteta is putting together.
Pettinati told transfer expert Fabrizio Romano: "We had talks with Arsenal about Gabriel Jesus, we like the project – it’s a possibility we’re discussing"
- Etienne Fermie
Morning, Arsenal fans
The Gunners start the day closer to Jesus and hope to end it in the holy land of the Champions League.
Arsenal are reportedly on the brink of agreeing a transfer fee, wages and length of contract for Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus.
But of course boss Mikel Arteta's focus is on tonight's Prem derby at Tottenham.
Victory would put the Gunners an uncatchable seven points clear of fifth-placed Spurs with two games left.
Arteta, though, admits he could be without England stars Bukayo Saka and Ben White.
Thomas Partey and Kieran Tierney are definitely still missing through injury.
But even if the Gunners do clinch a Champions League spot, Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit believes they will need “at least four or five” players to challenge for the Prem title next term.
Finally, winger Reiss Nelson is tipped to hold talks with Arteta over his future, with Feyenoord keen to keep the 22-year-old on loan for another season.
- Ian Tuckey
Arsenal trail in hunt for Tchouameni
Liverpool lead the race for Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni this summer, writes ANTHONY CHAPMAN.
Julien Maynard claims Jurgen Klopp’s side are in pole position ahead of Manchester United, Arsenal, PSG and Juventus for the France star.
Tchouameni, 22, has been in terrific form this season, scoring five goals in 48 games for his French club and becoming a regular at international level.
The tenacious midfielder has also become a regular in Didier Deschamps’ international XI.
And Tchouameni is seen by many as a future global superstar.
- Ian Tuckey
How Arsenal could line up at Spurs
Mikel Arteta admits Bukayo Saka and Ben White are both doubts for tomorrow’s derby trip to Spurs, writes JOSHUA JONES.
The Arsenal boss has declared that he will assess the pair ahead of the crucial clash away at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Saka, 20, was taken off early in Sunday’s win over Leeds and replaced by Nicolas Pepe.
White, meanwhile, missed the game completely, and the win at West Ham, due to a hamstring strain.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Arteta discussed his side’s latest injury news.
He said: “Thomas (Partey) is still out, Kieran (Tierney) is still out and with Ben he is still a doubt.
“We have to assess him and see how he is feeling, which is much better. With Bukayo it’s the same.”
A win for the Gunners would guarantee a top-four finish and therefore a return to the Champions League.
- Ian Tuckey
Tonight’s Prem action round-up
Kevin de Bruyne’s four goals put Manchester City three points clear of Liverpool at the top with a 5-1 romp over Wolves.
Pep Guardiola’s men need four points from their final two games to clinch their fourth title in five seasons.
KDB’s sensational display included a hat-trick from the seventh to 24th minute, with Leander Dendoncker firing a brief equaliser and Raheem Sterling tapping City’s late fifth goal.
Chelsea thrashed ten-man Leeds 3-0, Mason Mount, Christian Pulisic and Romelu Lukaku finishing clinically.
Leeds winger Dan James saw red on 24 minutes for a shocking high challenge on Mateo Kovacic.
Everton wasted chances to move four points clear of the drop zone as they drew 0-0 at relegated Watford.
And Jamie Vardy’s double, plus a strike from Jamie Maddison, sealed Leicester’s 3-0 victory as bottom side Norwich slumped to a fifth straight Prem loss.
- Ian Tuckey
Liverpool head Utd and Arsenal in Aurelian race
Liverpool lead the race for Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni this summer, writes ANTHONY CHAPMAN.
Julien Maynard claims Jurgen Klopp’s side are in pole position ahead of Manchester United, Arsenal, PSG and Juventus for the France star.
Tchouameni, 22, has been in terrific form this season, scoring five goals in 48 games for his French club and becoming a regular at international level.
The tenacious midfielder has also become a regular in Didier Deschamps’ international XI.
And Tchouameni is seen by many as a future global superstar.
- Ian Tuckey
Gunners closer to Jesus
Gabriel Jesus has been sitting on the bench for Manchester City tonight – yet also moving closer to joining Arsenal.
That's the claim as the Brazil striker seeks regular Prem starts and Champions League football next season andis still moving closer closer to moving.
UOL suggest the Gunners are nearing agreement on transfer fee, wages and length of contract.
Erling Haaland's upcoming switch from Borussia Dortmund to the Etihad should ease Jesus' switch.
- Ian Tuckey
Brilliant Odegaard deserves new skipper role
Martin Odegaard is in the form of his life and rightfully the new Arsenal skipper.
That's the view of ex-Chelsea and Tottenham midfielder Gus Poyet as the Gunners prepare for tomorrow's crucial Prem trip to Spurs.
Credit: PA Norway superstar Odegaard has justified his permanent switch from Real Madrid
Poyet told BoyleSports: “I think Odegaard is the most important position for them.
"I wasn’t expecting him to get the captaincy after the Xhaka situation, but there is something that Arteta knows more than us.
"He’s given him extra responsibility and has taken it very well.
“He was trying to find his position in a team, going out on various loans, but now he’s showing his quality and enjoying his football.”
- Ian Tuckey
Petit urges Arsenal to splash out
Emmanuel Petit has warned Arsenal must sign “at least four or five” players to challenge for the title, writes ALEX COLE.
The Gunners can clinch a Champions League spot with a win against local rivals Tottenham on Thursday night.
But the former Premier League winner says they “need” to bolster the squad and has urged the North Londoners to go after Lens ace Seko Fofana.
Speaking to SunSport on behalf of Genting Casino, Petit said: “They need at least four or five players to improve the team.
“They need two players in midfield. I really like Seko Fofana from Lens. He is box-to-box midfielder. He is a very talented player.”
Fofana, 27, played for Manchester City as a youngster, having a loan spell with Fulham before moving to Bastia and then Udinese.
He joined Lens in 2020 and is thriving in Ligue 1, recently becoming captain of the seventh placed side. Burnley, Newcastle and Leeds are said to be keen on him.
- Ian Tuckey
Reiss set for showdown talks
Reiss Nelson will reportedly hold talks with Mikel Arteta over his Arsenal future as Feyenoord look to keep him on loan for another season, writes JAKE LAMBOURNE.
The 22-year-old winger linked up with the Dutch outfit last year after being deemed as surplus to requirements at the Emirates.
After a difficult start to life in Holland, Nelson has impressed of late having helped the club reach the Uefa Conference League final.
In total, the England youth international has chipped in with three goals and seven assists in 31 games in all competitions.
But should he return to North London, he will remain behind the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Emile Smith Rowe and Nicolas Pepe in the pecking order.
And according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Feyenoord are desperate to keep him at the club for another season.
He tweeted: "Reiss Nelson will discuss with Mikel Arteta to understand his Arsenal future soon.
"Feyenoord want to keep him on loan for one more season, as they can’t afford permanent move.
"There’s interest from English clubs to buy Nelson but priority will be to understand AFC plans."
- Ian Tuckey
How Arsenal could line up at Spurs
Mikel Arteta admits Bukayo Saka and Ben White are both doubts for tomorrow's derby trip to Spurs, writes JOSHUA JONES.
The Arsenal boss has declared that he will assess the pair ahead of the crucial clash away at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Saka, 20, was taken off early in Sunday's win over Leeds and replaced by Nicolas Pepe.
White, meanwhile, missed the game completely, and the win at West Ham, due to a hamstring strain.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Arteta discussed his side's latest injury news.
He said: "Thomas (Partey) is still out, Kieran (Tierney) is still out and with Ben he is still a doubt.
"We have to assess him and see how he is feeling, which is much better. With Bukayo it’s the same."
A win for the Gunners would guarantee a top-four finish and therefore a return to the Champions League.
- Ian Tuckey
How Arteta can unlock Conte's dogged defence
ANALYSIS: Arsenal visit Tottenham tomorrow night for basically a Champions League playoff between fierce London rivals, writes LEE SCOTT and CHRIS DARWEN.
Both sides are capable of winning – but both sides are equally capable of delivering a shocker of a performance when the pressure is on.
What can we expect? Tottenham to be tight at the back and rapid on the break – but will Arsenal give them the opportunity to do so given that it is Spurs who need the win?
Last weekend we saw Antonio Conte’s Spurs side frustrate a previously dominant Liverpool side and hold them to a 1-1 draw.
While the match was relatively unremarkable the comments made afterwards by the Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp were not.
Klopp was critical of the Spurs game plan and in particular the fact that they were willing to allow Liverpool to have the majority of possession as the North London side looked to sit deep and then attack Liverpool on the counter.
Naughty Tottenham, not just opening up and letting Liverpool get in behind.
Given that Spurs were able to hold Liverpool to a draw, however, there has to be some justification of the style of play that we saw from Conte’s side.
The former Serie A coach has shown himself once again to be a tactically intelligent and versatile coach.
The question now though is whether we will see the same approach or even something similar in the upcoming North London derby.
READ THE FULL TACTICAL BREAKDOWN
ON TOMORROW'S MASSIVE DERBY HERE
- Ian Tuckey
Gunners 'MUST sign 4-5 players'
Emmanuel Petit has warned Arsenal must sign "at least four or five" players to challenge for the title, writes ALEX COLE.
The Gunners can clinch a Champions League spot with a win against local rivals Tottenham on Thursday night.
But the former Premier League winner says they "need" to bolster the squad and has urged the North Londoners to go after Lens ace Seko Fofana.
Speaking to SunSport on behalf of Genting Casino, Petit said: "They need at least four or five players to improve the team.
"They need two players in midfield. I really like Seko Fofana from Lens. He is box-to-box midfielder. He is a very talented player."
Fofana, 27, played for Manchester City as a youngster, having a loan spell with Fulham before moving to Bastia and then Udinese.
He joined Lens in 2020 and is thriving in Ligue 1, recently becoming captain of the seventh placed side.Burnley, Newcastle and Leeds are said to be keen on him.
- Ian Tuckey
Wilshere doubles his assist tally
Former Arsenal star Jack Wilshere continues to get his career back on track after he recorded his second assist for Danish minnows Aarhus Gymnastikforening.
Wilshere delivered a stunning free-kick which was met by teammate Frederik Tingager and expertly directed into the bottom left corner to earn a share of the spoils.
That was the midfielder’s second assist in 11 matches for his new club.
And the point with Sonderjyske may just prove to be enough to maintain the top-flight status of David Nielsen’s team – although they are yet to taste victory since the former England international’s arrival
- Kostas Lianos
Juve got mail
Juventus are interested in signing Arsenal ace Thomas Partey and could offer Arthur in exchange.
Juve manager Massimiliano Allegri is eager to bolster his side's midfield, having failed to seriously contest the Serie A title race this season.
According to AS, Allegri sees Partey as a "strong" option to improve his side.
The Ghanaian has been in excellent form for the Gunners this term and is valued at around £30million – a drop on the £45m they paid Atletico Madrid for him in 2020
- Kostas Lianos
Nketiah Edd-ing nowhere
Arsenal are set to offer out-of-contract ace Eddie Nketiah a massive new deal in a bid to stop him from leaving.
Nketiah has forced his way back into manager Mikel Arteta's plans in recent weeks and proved his quality with four goals in four Premier League matches.
The Gunners are now set to offer the striker a new deal on vastly improved terms, taking him from one of the lowest earners in the squad to one of the highest, report The Mirror.
The 22-year-old is currently earning £45,000 a week after penning a five-year deal in 2017
- Kostas Lianos
Mourinho makes Abraham decision
Roma manager Jose Mourinho says Arsenal target Tammy Abraham just has to “click his fingers” and he can return to the Premier League.
Abraham has enjoyed a record breaking first season in Italy since he left boyhood club Chelsea for Rome last summer.
Mourinho told Sky Sports: “Against Leicester he was absolutely amazing and at this moment I joke and say 'I refuse to praise him' because he can always do better.
“He knows how happy I am. He knows how much I love the kid and the player and I'm proud of what we are doing and I'm so happy for Tammy.
“We have got into this situation where I demand a lot from him because I know he can do amazingly well”
- Kostas Lianos
Fabian Ruiz price named
Arsenal will have to pay £34million for Napoli star Fabian Ruiz in the summer.
According to Napoli Piu, the Gunners are the 'most interested' in signing Ruiz, who has attracted attention from elsewhere as well.
The Partenopei have set an initial price of £34m for the midfielder due to his contract situation.
The Spain international has one year remaining on his current deal, meaning his value will likely decrease if he is not sold in the next window – and in 12 months he will be available for free.
The report also suggests that the Serie A giants could even be persuaded to drop the price by around £3.4m to facilitate a move
Credit: GETTY IMAGES
- Kostas Lianos
More from Jesus agent
Arsenal are keeping tabs on Manchester City star Gabriel Jesus ahead of the summer transfer window.
But the Gunners are facing competition from six other teams, who are also interested in Jesus.
That is according to the striker's agent Marcelo Pettinati, who also admitted his client likes the project at the Emirates.
Pettinati added: "There are six more clubs interested in Gabriel – he’s focused on final games with Man City, we’ll see"
- Kostas Lianos
Gabriel Jesus confirmation
Manchester City star Gabriel Jesus' agent has confirmed transfer talks with Arsenal, admitting his client likes the project at the Emirates.
That is a major boost for the Gunners' search for a striker as they face the prospect of having no one to lead the line in June.
Jesus' agent Marcelo Pettinati has admitted that the player likes the project that Arteta is putting together.
Pettinati told transfer expert Fabrizio Romano: "We had talks with Arsenal about Gabriel Jesus, we like the project – it’s a possibility we’re discussing"
- Kostas Lianos
Jack's Will power
Former Arsenal star Jack Wilshere continues to get his career back on track after he recorded his second assist for Danish minnows Aarhus Gymnastikforening.
Wilshere delivered a stunning free-kick which was met by teammate Frederik Tingager and expertly directed into the bottom left corner to earn a share of the spoils.
That was the midfielder's second assist in 11 matches for his new club.
And the point with Sonderjyske may just prove to be enough to maintain the top-flight status of David Nielsen’s team – although they are yet to taste victory since the former England international's arrival
- Kostas Lianos
David Luiz miss
Former Arsenal star David Luiz went viral after hilariously missing a sitter in the last kick of a Brazilian derby.
Luiz has returned to Brazil for Flamengo after leaving the Gunners last year and wasted a golden chance to equalise for his team against rivals Botafogo, who won 1-0 at the Estadio Nacional.
The defender was unmarked in the penalty area and was teed up with a perfect pass from the left flank during the seventh minute of stoppage time.
But the 35-year-old veteran ballooned his strike wildly over the bar with an awful shot that saw him falling to the ground in dismay just moments later
Ex-Chelsea and Arsenal star David Luiz’s creates horror miss as he punts ball well over bar and falls over
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