ARSENAL are set to launch a new £30m bid for Youri Tielemans this week, SunSport can reveal.
The Gunners are confident of getting their man, who has rejected all contract offers from Leicester.
Another midfield target is Lyon's Lucas Paqueta, who Mikel Arteta is said to be pushing hard to get.
Meanwhile Lisandro Martinez and Ajax are set to make a decision on the player's future destination this week, with Arsenal and Man Utd leading the chase.
Elsewhere, the Gunners can land a sensational deal for Marco Asensio as Real Madrid are reportedly eager to cash in on the winger.
The Spaniard has been linked with a move to North London and Asensio is keen on more game time.
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- Etienne Fermie
Ferdinand on Arsenal target Martinez
Rio Ferdinand believes that 5ft 9in defender Lisandro Martinez could be bullied in the Premier League.
He told his Five YouTube channel: "You have to be ready physically to deal with these big forwards.
"Nunez and Haaland have come in at Liverpool and City, they’re over 6ft 2in each, you have to come up against these guys on a regular basis. Chris Wood at Newcastle, these are big, big guys.
"Is he going to be able to deal with people like that the size that he is? He’s on the smaller side as a centre-half."
- Etienne Fermie
Luka Jovic leaving Real Madrid
Former Arsenal target is jetting to Florence to sign for Fiorentina, reports transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
Jovic has agreed a permanent exit from Real Madrid, with the Spanish side inserting a 50 per cent sell on clause in the deal.
The 24-year-old managed just THREE goals in 51 appearances for the European champions.
- Etienne Fermie
Jesus and Sterling compared
With Raheem Sterling set to follow Arsenal new boy Gabriel Jesus out the door at Manchester City, we compare the stats of the two forwards.
Sterling has agreed personal terms with Chelsea, with the two former team-mates now set to do battle on opposite sides in London.
- Etienne Fermie
Ex-Gooner admits considering Tottenham
Olivier Giroud has admitted that he considered signing for Spurs in January 2020.
The AC Milan forward, then of Chelsea, revealed: "At that time, I was not getting regular playing time at Chelsea, I was the third-choice striker, so I tried to find a solution with Frank Lampard.
“I couldn’t remain in that situation. I wanted to leave, but Lampard told me that he needed a replacement.
"He promised me that I would have had more chances and gave me the opportunity to do so, I think I scored eight goals in the final ten games of the season, thank God we qualified for the Champions League.
“At that time, Italian clubs were very interested. At one point, Inter told me that they no longer had money to sign me. I had done everything to leave, I also met Lazio’s sporting director Igli Tare, a gentleman, he came to Heathrow airport just to meet me.
“I was so desperate to leave that I even told Lampard that I’d have joined Tottenham because I knew that Jose Mourinho wanted me. In the end, I think it would have been difficult because I had played for Arsenal.”
- Etienne Fermie
Wrighty jealous of Spurs' signings
Arsenal legend is concerned by their rivals' transfer business.
He said on Wrighty's House podcast: "I feel Tottenham are going to cause problems.
"You can’t not be jealous of that summer, especially coming from the other side of North London.
They are frightening, man. Everything we are doing at Arsenal, and I am putting on as my armour.
"But we have done this. We have Vieira. We have two No10s now. And we are still trying for [Youri] Tielemans. And we have Gabriel Jesus.
"So, you are trying to arm yourself because the Tottenham fans are saying, 'Well, we have Bissouma now, Richarlison, [Harry] Kane, then [Rodrigo] Bentancur is going to kick in and we have seen what [Cristian] Romero is about'.
"When you look at how Tottenham can flex when they are doing it under this manager, it kind of makes me feel s***."
- Etienne Fermie
Gunners star set to return
Kieran Tierney is in line to make his first Arsenal appearance in 111 days later today.
The Gunners take on FC Nurnberg having trained at Adidas HQ in Germany this week.
Tierney, 25, missed the last 10 games of last season after undergoing knee surgery in April.
The Scotland international is now back in full training and could play a part as Mikel Arteta's side kick off their pre-season.
- Etienne Fermie
Raphinha chasing 'urgent' solution
Leeds boss Jesse Marsch has admitted Arsenal target Raphinha may not join the team on pre-season tour with Chelsea leading the race for his signature.
He said: “My guess is, I don't know. We just have to wait and see what happens in the next couple of days.
“There's urgency from his end, I think, to come up with a solution. We have to in the next couple of days see how things stand and see how we go.
“It hasn't been an easy time for him this summer. Things have come and gone and there have been a lot of little discussions. Right now he's our player.
“He showed up today and trained with everybody, he had such a good attitude. We had a very open and honest conversation about while he's here he's part of us, and then we'll see what happens.
"It's still a long way to go in the transfer window. I know he has hopes and dreams. I know he loves this team and this club and he loves being here. We'll see how things progress day by day.”
- Alex Cole
Good morning, Arsenal fans
Arsenal play FC Nurnberg TODAY to start pre-season.
The game is at 4.30pm on Friday at the Max-Morlock-Stadion.
And despite it only being a friendly, the clash is expected to attract a crowd of nearly 50,000.
The Gunners are based at the Adidas headquarters in Germany.
However, fans will have to wait to see Fabio Vieira in action.
the Portuguese ace was spotted with his foot in a protective boot and appears to be recovering from injury.
Ian Wright has backed Edu and Mikel Arteta’s vision for the club.
He said: “I had a meeting with Edu and Mikel. We were just talking about the way Arsenal are now building with the young players and the excitement of what’s going on with a young manager.”
Arsenal are tracking Benfica defender Alex Grimaldo, according to reports.
- Alex Cole
How Arsenal may line up vs Nurnberg
Most of the new faces are in the squad for tomorrow.
However, fans will have to wait to see Fabio Vieira in action.
The club splashed out £34m to Porto to bring the 22-year-old playmaker to the Emirates three weeks ago.
But the Portuguese ace was spotted with his foot in a protective boot and appears to be recovering from injury.
- Alex Cole
Tottenham are 'frightening', says Wright
Gunners icon Wright said: "They are frightening, man. Everything we are doing at Arsenal, and I am putting on as my armour.
"But we have done this. We have Vieira. We have two No10s now. And we are still trying for Tielemans. And we have Gabriel Jesus.
"So, you are trying to arm yourself because the Tottenham fans are saying, 'Well, we have Bissouma now, Richarlison, Kane, then Bentancur is going to kick in and we have seen what Romero is about'.
"When you look at how Tottenham can flex when they are doing it under this manager, it kind of makes me feel s***."
- Alex Cole
Wrighty 'jealous' of Spurs transfer dealings
Arsenal legend Ian Wright has revealed he is "jealous" of the summer transfer business completed by arch rivals Tottenham.
Spurs have already made four signings this summer – bringing in Ivan Perisic, Fraser Forster, Yves Bissouma and Richarlison.
And Gunners icon Wright said on the Wrighty's House podcast: "I feel Tottenham are going to cause problems.
"You can’t not be jealous of that summer, especially coming from the other side of North London."
- Alex Cole
FC Nurnberg vs Arsenal
Gabriel Jesus could make his debut for Arsenal when they kick-off their pre-season tour of Germany TOMORROW.
Jesus, 25, will be hoping to make a blistering start for Mikel Arteta’s side against Nurnberg.
Arsenal beat Ipswich 5-1 in their first pre-season match last week as Eddie Nketiah celebrated his new contract with a hat-trick.
And he could be joined in attack by Jesus against the German second tier outfit.
Arteta also has the option of including fellow new recruits Marquinhos, 19, and Matt Turner, 27, in their ranks.
Are you excited for the pre-season to kick-off Gunners fans?!
- Alex Cole
Arsenal chasing the ‘new Eden Hazard’
Arsenal have bid for the ‘new Eden Hazard’ – Lille winger Edon Zhegrova – according to reports.
The Kosova star, 23, would be a cheaper alternative to Chelsea and Barcelona target Raphinha.
And Kosovan journalist, Arlind Sadiku claims the Gunners have made an ‘official offer’ for 28-cap Zhegrova.
- Alex Cole
Arsenal recruitment used to be a mess, says Smith
Arsenal’s previous recruitment policy was a “mess” – typified by the £72m deal for Nicholas Pepe, according to Alan Smith, SunSport's Jordan Davies exclusively revealed.
And speaking on behalf of 888, Smith said: “All successful clubs on the pitch need a successful recruitment department off it, like Liverpool and Manchester City.
“They have a smooth operation. It was a mess for Arsenal at one stage, highlighted by the signing on Nicholas Pepe.
“There has been a turnover of personnel. Now, Edu is on the same page as Mikel Arteta and they think along the same lines in terms of players with is vital.
“You need your technical director and manager to be working closely together. They have done some business early but I am sure they still want to do some more.
“You want as many in as possible for pre-season but they don’t feel they have finished just yet. They need a bigger and better squad.”
- Alex Cole
Martinez wants Ajax to reduce price
Arsenal target Lisandro Martinez has pleaded with Ajax to reduce his market price.
The Dutch side initially slapped a £25m price tag on Martinez.
But that price rocketed to around £45m as Martinez’s stock rised across Europe.
And the Argentine international wants Ajax to lower their valuation to avoid him being priced out of a move, De Telegraaf reported.
- Alex Cole
Arsenal line up Martinez offer
Arsenal refuse to give up their transfer pursuit of Lisandro Martinez, reports claim.
The Gunners had a bid of £38m in total rejected by Ajax for the defender.
However, the North Londoners plan on presenting a new offer to Ajax for Martinez, according to the Daily Mail.
But they face competition from Man United who are doing the same thing.
- Alex Cole
Arsenal ‘impacted Ronaldo exit decision’
Arsenal’s shrewd transfer business this summer has influenced Cristiano Ronaldo’s decision to leave Man United, Rio Ferdinand thinks.
The Gunners have brought in Matt Turner, Marquinhos, Fabio Vieira, and Gabriel Jesus, whilst pursuing a number of other signings.
United have been quiet in comparison, and Ferdinand thinks Ronaldo’s taken notice of this.
Rio said: “Arsenal are making moves. He’s sitting there thinking ‘when is my team going to start making moves’.
“We all know we need some new faces in that building. And he ain’t seen no moves.”
- Alex Cole
Arsenal star wanted by Championship clubs
Arsenal star Matt Smith is wanted by a host of Championship clubs including Millwall and Luton this summer, writes Daniel Cutts.
He has been loaned out to League One sides over the last few seasons including at Swindon and Charlton.
And after a spell at relegated Doncaster last year, a number of sides are looking to snap him up on a permanent deal.
It is understood Millwall and Luton have tracked his progress, and are targeting a bid ahead of the new campaign.
- Alex Cole
Wright backs Edu and Arteta
Ian Wright has backed Edu and Mikel Arteta’s vision for the club.
He said: “I remember going to the training ground.
“I had a meeting with Edu and Mikel. We were just talking about the way Arsenal are now building with the young players and the excitement of what’s going on with a young manager.”
- Alex Cole
Suarez still available as free agent
Premier League teams are on high alert as Luis Suarez has revealed he will not join River Plate.
Suarez spoke to Ovacion: "I was really tempted despite my plan to stay in Europe because River were pushing a lot to sign me, but the deal has collapsed as they’re now out of the Copa Libertadores."
Meaning that Suarez is still available as free agent.
- Alex Cole
Nurnberg vs Arsenal details
Arsenal are based at the Adidas headquarters in Germany and play Nurnberg at the Max-Morlock-Stadion at 4.30pm on Friday.
And despite it only being a friendly, the clash is expected to attract a crowd of nearly 50,000.
- Alex Cole
How Arsenal may line up vs Nurnberg
Most of the new faces are in the squad for tomorrow.
However, fans will have to wait to see Fabio Vieira in action.
The club splashed out £34m to Porto to bring the 22-year-old playmaker to the Emirates three weeks ago.
But the Portuguese ace was spotted with his foot in a protective boot and appears to be recovering from injury.
- Alex Cole
FC Nurnberg vs Arsenal
Gabriel Jesus could make his debut for Arsenal when they kick-off their pre-season tour of Germany tomorrow.
Jesus, 25, will be hoping to make a blistering start for Mikel Arteta’s side against Nurnberg.
Arsenal beat Ipswich 5-1 in their first pre-season match last week as Eddie Nketiah celebrated his new contract with a hat-trick.
And he could be joined in attack by Jesus against the German second tier outfit.
Arteta also has the option of including fellow new recruits Marquinhos, 19, and Matt Turner, 27, in their ranks.
- Alex Cole
Arsenal track Benfica defender
Arsenal are tracking Benfica defender Alex Grimaldo, according to reports.
The Gunners want to provide cover for Kieran Tierney, and reckon Grimaldo can do the job, Record reported.
They claim Arsenal have already approached his representatives to see if a deal can take place.
But the Gunners face competition from several European sides who also fancy recruiting Grimaldo, it was added.
- Justin Lawrence
Tielemans would be a 'coup'
Youri Tielemans will be a great signing for Arsenal if they manage to pull it off.
The Gunners have been heavily linked with the Leicester City star who club legend Alan Smith thinks would be a "real coup," SUNSPORT'S JORDAN DAVIES revealed.
Smith added to 888: "It was difficult for Youri last year. I think his head had been turned, but Leicester also struggled with injuries.
“He is clearly a man of great talent. He loves getting forward, he is a very good athlete and gets up and down the pitch, he has an eye for goal and the best years are still ahead of him.
“You feel he would hit the ground running. It would be a real coup for Arsenal to bring him in.”
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