But Mikel Arteta will have to sell to buy, with the likes of Matteo Guendouzi, Lucas Torreira, Shkodran Mustafi and Ainsley Maitland-Niles said to be in the firing line.
Get all the latest news and transfer gossip from North London here…
GIFT OF THE GAB
Lille have left Gabriel Magalhaes out of their squad for their friendly game against Dutch side AZ Alkmaar following links concerning a move to Arsenal.
The 22-year-old has impressed in France this season and been heavily linked with a number of top European sides, including the Gunners.
Manchester United, Chelsea, Everton and Napoli have all been rumoured to be interested in a move for the Brazilian defender.
HOT ROD
Arsenal are showing the most interest in wantaway Real Madrid midfielder James Rodriguez, according to reports.
The 29-year-old, along with Gareth Bale, was left out of Zinedine Zidane’s squad for Real’s Champions League second leg encounter with Manchester City.
Spanish outlet AS claim the Gunners are the club most likely to make a move for the Colombian.
Arsenal were among a number of teams linked with Rodriguez last summer but a deal never came to fruition.
Super-agent Jorge Mendes is the man tasked with finding Rodriguez a new club.
Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid are also said to be interested in the 2014 World Cup Golden Boot winner.
The ex-Porto, Monaco and Bayern Munich star has just one year left on his contract at the Bernabeu and could be available for as little as £22million.
GET YOUR PHIL
Arsenal are set to wrap up a second transfer after ‘agreeing personal terms’ with Barcelona’s Philippe Coutinho, according to reports.
The £145million former Liverpool star will arrive at The Emirates in a season-long loan deal – after a whistle-stop tour of their training ground.
Catalan newspaper Sport claims the North Londoners have fixed up a deal with Nou Camp chiefs for Coutinho.
AUBA THE MOON
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 8, 2020
WILL POWER
Former Arsenal star Paul Merson has hailed the potential signing of Willian as he revealed his shock that Chelsea are prepared to let him leave.
Writing in his column for the Daily Star, he said: “Willian would be an unbelievable signing for Arsenal. I think Willian is a special player who ticks all the boxes. I can’t believe Chelsea are letting him go to be honest.
“I know he’s 31 and wanted a three-year contract but football is all about now, and right now he’s a great player.
“No manager is thinking about what might happen in three or four years’ time.
“They need results now, so it’s no surprise to me Frank Lampard doesn’t want him to go. Arteta won’t be Arsenal manager forever. He needs to win now. Willian can help him do that.”
LONDON CALLING
Ainsley Maitland-Niles is likely to stay in London after being put up for sale by Arsenal – and could even make a switch to local rivals Tottenham.
Within days after being put on the market, every club in London except Chelsea have made their interest known that they could be keen to give him a new home.
That includes Spurs, where boss Jose Mourinho is having to be creative with his own rebuilding plans this summer.
Arsenal were hoping to get as much as £30million for the versatile England under-21 international who was part of the starting line-up at Wembley ahead of the highly-rated Bukayo Saka..
But in reality they may have to settle for around £20m with clubs across the Premier League all feeling the pinch following the coronavirus pandemic.
West Ham, Crystal Palace and newly-promoted Fulham have all shown interest knowing Arsenal boss Arteta would have liked to have kept him at the Emirates but for the need to generate funds.
HOW IT’S GUNNER LOOK
Mikel Arteta is planning a major summer overhaul at Arsenal and his starting XI could look very different next season.
The Gunners have most recently been linked with South American trio James Rodriguez, Philippe Coutinho and Willian.
And if they land all three stars, the Gunners’ attack would intimidate most Premier League defences.
Here’s how Arsenal could line-up…
AUBA TO YOU
Our Player of the Season.
⚡️ @Aubameyang7 pic.twitter.com/8NJixzr4gC
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 8, 2020
OUT OF LUC
Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira has reportedly been offered to AC Milan.
Italian media claim the Uruguayan international has only been offered to the Serie A side in the last few hours.
It is unclear how much Arsenal would want to sell Torreira for, who was available for £36million last summer.
WILL I NEVER
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has likened losing Willian to when Eden Hazard departed for Real Madrid last summer.
He said: “Eden Hazard left last year, the club continues to work in a forward direction which I think we have in many ways.
“That remains the same, whatever player leaves the club.
“When a player is out of contract they have the freedom and the right to play wherever they want.
“We have to accept that and move on. I have no problems with that.”
COUT ME IN
Philippe Coutinho reportedly visited Arsenal’s training ground yesterday despite being pictured preparing for Bayern Munich’s Champions League clash against Chelsea.
According to Sport, the Brazilian was at London Colney as he looks to join the Gunners after his loan spell with Bayern comes to an end.
They state that the playmaker is keen to join the Gunners as he pushes for a move back to the Premier League.
Mikel Arteta is believed to be a huge fan of the player, with the Spaniard desperate to sign an attacking midfielder this summer.
TO BE FRANK
Frank Lampard insisted Chelsea “have done everything” they can to keep Willian as the Brazilian edges closer to signing for Arsenal.
He said: “In terms of being disappointed, certainly as a club we have done everything we can to explain to Willian.
“Mine and his relationship is very close and I would have no feeling of disappointment if he does move on. He is a fantastic man and a fantastic player.
“The club have acted very well in this as well. If he moves on I personally will wish him well. That is where we are at.
“I think he leaves a hole as a player who has been here for I think seven seasons, being part of successful teams. He has his own decisions to make. We as a club will always want to move forward, no matter what.”
BIG MIL
Former Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez has took a dig at Manchester United after completing his move to Inter Milan.
The 31-year-old striker, said to have got a £9m pay-off to get his £505,000-a-week wages off the books, suggested his new club had more desire to win something big.
The Chilean striker, who spent this season on loan at the Serie A club, took to social media to aim a parting shot at United.
He said: “I’m really happy to be staying here with you, Inter fans. I’ve found a family here and the staff are great.
“It’s a group where there’s a real desire to win something big.
“People here want to fight together as a team to give the club the success it deserves.”
AUBA THE TOP
2️⃣9️⃣ goals0️⃣3️⃣ assists0️⃣1️⃣ @EmiratesFACup winner
? 1st place | Player of the Season 2019/20
? @Aubameyang7 is your winner! pic.twitter.com/j2BWLBz2dp
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 8, 2020
RVP UP TO THE JOB
Robin van Persie has joined Advocaat’s Feyenoord coaching staff after admitting: “I can’t say no to Dick.”
The Manchester United and Arsenal legend has got his pecker up after the coronavirus lockdown with his first coaching job.
Van Persie, 37, retired as a player with Feyenoord last summer after winning 102 Holland caps, having also spent 11 years in the Premier League.
And RVP says it was too hard to turn down working under ex-Rangers, Sunderland and Dutch national boss Dick Advocaat.
He told Feyenoord’s website: “Dick called me and asked if I wanted to come. And I couldn’t turn Dick down.
“It is not an official position. So it’s hard for me to give it a title. I don’t see myself as a strikers’ coach, for example.
“I think it’s a win-win. I’ll find out here whether I like doing this and I’ll help the staff a bit.”
NEARLY WEN
Arsene Wenger endured an up-and-down time as Arsenal manager.
During his 22 years at the club, he led the side to an unprecedented period of success – including the 2003-04 Invincibles campaign.
But he lost the fans towards the end as results suffered on the pitch, the squad fell apart and he failed to replace leaving stars in the transfer market.
It wasn’t necessarily for a lack of trying, with Wenger linked to a host of star names down the years.
However, more often than not, the former Gunners chief missed out – and we’ve compiled a best XI of players he tired and failed to sign.
PIERRE PRESSURE
Was there any doubt? Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been announced as Arsenal’s Player Of The Season this morning. And what a campaign he had, climaxing in his virtuoso FA Cup final display. Now, where is that contract Arsenal?
Our 2019/20 Player of the Season ?
? @Aubameyang7
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 8, 2020
GOOD MORNING, ARSENAL FANS,
Willian appears to be on his way to Arsenal after he was left out of Chelsea’s travelling party for the Champions League last-16 clash against Bayern Munich.
The Brazilian has been involved in light training this week after missing the final day win over Wolves as well as the FA Cup Final defeat to the Gunners through injury.
He is understood to be close to agreeing a three-year deal with Arsenal.
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard said: “Read a headline that mentioned disappointment. That doesn’t matter. Willian remains our player at the moment, he is injured.
“He’d have given everything to play. He’s carried this injury… as a club we’ve done everything we can to explain to Willian.
“Our relationship is really close but no disappointment if he moves on. A fantastic man and fantastic player. The club have acted very well in this. If he moves on I’ll wish him well.”
SunSport’s Mark Irwin revealed that Arsenal are set to spend £100million this summer to sign key targets Thomas Partey, Gabriel Magalhaes and Dani Ceballos.
But they will need to sell at least three of their current squad and offload a couple more to fund the spending spree.
That means Lucas Torreira, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Matteo Guendouzi and Shkodran Mustafi could all be joining Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Mohamed Elneny at the departure gate.
With the free-transfer signing of Chelsea winger Willian almost in the bag, Mikel Arteta is now turning his attention to strengthening his midfield and defence.
Atletico Madrid’s Ghana star Partey has been top of Arsenal’s shopping list for months and is keen to move to the Premier League after nine years in the Spanish capital.
BRAZIL NUTS
Frank Lampard discussed whether Willian’s impending exit, most likely for Arsenal, will leave a big hole at Chelsea.
He said: “He’s been here for seven seasons. When I came in and we had issues with younger players, a transitional element, we relied on him for experience and quality. He has his own decision to make.
“Eden Hazard left last year, the club continues and tries to work forward. As we have done this season.
“Player has a freedom to player whenever they want when out of contract. We have to accept that and move on.”
FAN-TASTIC
Arsenal have paid a touching tribute to their supporters, as the club expressed its sadness that the fans weren’t at Wembley to witness their FA Cup final triumph over Chelsea.
Unfortunately we couldn’t celebrate with all of you in the way we usually would…
But we’re so pleased that we were able to surprise a few of you instead ❤️
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 7, 2020
WILL TO WIN
Paul Merson has enthusiastically backed Arsenal’s attempts to prize Willian from Chelsea.
The Gunners legend, who is often seen as hard to please, claims the Brazilian would be an “unbelievable” signing.
He told the Daily Star: “I think Willian is a special player who ticks all the boxes. I can’t believe Chelsea are letting him go to be honest.
“I know he’s 31 and wanted a three-year contract but football is all about now, and right now he’s a great player.
“No manager is thinking about what might happen in three or four years time. They need results now, so it’s no surprise to me Frank Lampard doesn’t want him to go.
“Arteta won’t be Arsenal manager forever. He needs to win now. Willian can help him do that.”
SPREE FOR THREE
SunSport’s Mark Irwin revealed that Arsenal are set to spend £100million this summer to sign key targets Thomas Partey, Gabriel Magalhaes and Dani Ceballos.
But they will need to sell at least three of their current squad and offload a couple more to fund the spending spree.
That means Lucas Torreira, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Matteo Guendouzi and Shkodran Mustafi could all be joining Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Mohamed Elneny at the departure gate.
With the free-transfer signing of Chelsea winger Willian almost in the bag, Mikel Arteta is now turning his attention to strengthening his midfield and defence.
Atletico Madrid’s Ghana star Partey has been top of Arsenal’s shopping list for months and is keen to move to the Premier League after nine years in the Spanish capital.
The central midfielder, 27, has a £45m release clause in his contract and Atletico are adamant that Arsenal will have to pay the full asking price to get their man.
Arteta is also keen on Lille’s Brazilian centre-half Gabriel, who was targeted by former boss Unai Emery last season before the club signed William Saliba.
QAT OUT THE BAG
Arsenal hero Santi Cazorla has arrived at Al-Sadd, after extending his playing career by signing for the Qatari champions.
In making the switch, Cazorla has reunited with former Spain team-mate Xavi, who manages the Doha side.
Alongside each other as players, the pair tasted World Cup and European Championships glory with La Roja.
And Cazorla, 35, will be hoping to add a few final medals to his impressive collection before eventually calling time on his playing career.
He told the club’s official website upon arrival: “It’s a great honour to be with the biggest club in Qatar.
“Xavi helped me a lot in my decision to come to Qatar.
“He was a role model for me when I was a player and he is sure to set an example to me as a coach.
“My goal is to win everything with Al-Sadd, you have to strive to win everything.
“I want to thank everyone for their encouragement and continued support to the team and I will strive to help the team every day to reap the victories.”
BRAZIL NUTS
Frank Lampard discussed whether Willian’s impending exit will leave a big hole at the club.
He said: “He’s been here for seven seasons. When I came in and we had issues with younger players, a transitional element, we relied on him for experience and quality. He has his own decision to make.
“Eden Hazard left last year, the club continues and tries to work forward. As we have done this season.
“Player has a freedom to player whenever they want when out of contract. We have to accept that and move on.”
TOR BLIMEY
Lucas Torreira says ‘if I have to leave Arsenal it will be for the best’ with the Gunners ‘open to transfer’ amid AC Milan interest.
He told Radio Sport890: “Last season, I played with continuity.
“This one, less so. This year was more difficult. I lost rhythm and confidence. I don’t like it. At my age, I need to play to be called up to the national team. Transfer rumours? There’s nothing at the moment.
“I need to rest because it has been a very long season, I got injured and then there was the Coronavirus.
“I have a contract with Arsenal, but if I were to change in the future, it would be a decision taken for my own good. Any player looks for a team in which he feels important. We’ll see what happens in the future”.
©News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. “The Sun”, “Sun”, “Sun Online” are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers’ Limited’s Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. View our online Press Pack. For other inquiries, Contact Us. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO)
Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click here.