Arsenal are hoping to make five big signings, with a French striker valued at £64m. now in the spotlight, Manchester United are chasing a 16-goal Aston Villa star, while Saturday’s Transfer Gossip reveals talks between Man City and Bayern Munich over a move away. star.
GUNNERS LOOK TO SECURE RICE AND HAVERTZ THIS WEEK
Arsenal are hoping to complete two signings this week as their attempts to sign both Declan Rice and Kai Havertz gather pace.
The Gunners are looking to quickly strengthen their squad this summer after coming close to the title last season. Topping the table for most of the campaign, they were ultimately worn down by a relentless Manchester City.
However, plans are taking shape to ensure Arsenal will be in the mix for trophy success again. And with the club back in the Champions League for the first time since 2017, the Gunners are ready to splash the cash in earnest.
First up – and their No. 1 target for the summer – is Rice. The Gunners’ initial bid of around £90m has been rejected by West Ham, who know a bid auction could follow with City and Manchester United also keen.
However, they hope another offer – this time worth £100m – will do the trick. According to The sunHowever, questions will be raised about how Arsenal will finance the deal.
Beside him, Arsenal is now also at the front of the queue for Romeo Lavia. The player has been cleared to leave Southampton following relegation and the 19-year-old will reportedly cost around £45million. Liverpool and Chelsea are also among his suitors, but both are reportedly chasing other targets instead.
The Gunners are also hoping to end a busy week by completing a deal for Havertz.
Their first offer has been rejected by Chelsea, but with the player keen on the move, there is a belief that a deal could soon be reached.
Arsenal are pushing to sign Moussa Diaby
Arsenal are also reportedly ready to make a permanent move for Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby this week.
The 23-year-old striker boasts incredible statistics for the Bundesliga side, having scored 49 times and added 43 assists from 172 appearances. This corresponds to a goal contribution for every 1.8 appearances.
The former PSG man, who was capped 10 times by France, is in high demand this summer with Newcastle among those keen.
However, The team claim that Arsenal, led by Edu’s express desire to sign the star, have now ‘taken the lead’ for his signature over the past few weeks.
Able to play from either wing, he would provide the cover for Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli that Mikel Arteta is looking for.
Bayer, for their part, are reportedly open to his sale, but are only considering offers of around £64m. (€75 million).
Edu will be hoping for a swift closure on all four of those targets for Arsenal this summer.
However, the Gunners could well kick-start their summer business with the shrewd signing of Timothy Castagne.
The Belgian has been cleared to leave Leicester, with Fulham, Crystal Palace and Juventus also keen.
But it’s the Gunners in the driver’s seat, with the 27-year-old seemingly open to a move.
“I want to see what happens in the future,” Castagne said at a news conference.
“A decision will be made. Of course it’s delicate. You could wait for a top club to come, but what if it doesn’t come? I’m not thinking about that yet.”
READ MORE: Kai Havertz is a marginal gain for Arsenal when they need giant leaps forward
BAYERN MUNICH GOAL SIGNING OF KYLE WALKER
Bayern Munich are discussing a potential bid to Manchester City for Kyle Walker.
The Bundesliga champions are drawing up a list of potential successors to Benjamin Pavard, who has been cleared to leave.
And according to Daily mailThomas Tuchel has made England star Walker his No.1 target.
The 33-year-old has one year left Manchester City contract and talks about a move are gaining momentum. Indeed, his hometown club Sheffield United, as well as clubs in Saudi Arabia, are among those considering a move.
And after not starting as often for City as he would have liked, it seems a separation is on the cards. And after starting on the bench in the Champions League final, Walker now reportedly feels the time has come to leave.
After winning the Champions League, Walker said: “The boys dug deep. I got a silver medal last time, so to have a gold medal is great.
“I’m living the dream. My mum and dad were in the stands. Where I come from in Sheffield, it’s not easy for them to be here. I remember when mum didn’t have a pound for the ice cream van. I’m so grateful.
“I am over the moon and very rarely speechless, but my dream has just come true. To achieve this with this club, after everything they’ve done for all of us over the years, to win the Treble is incredible.”
However, a move to Bayern now looks most likely. That Mail claim that the two clubs are now in talks over the deal but are yet to agree a fee.
Walker has won 12 trophies, including five Premier League titles, since arriving from Tottenham in 2016.
READ MORE: Man City ‘working hard’ on record deal for Bundesliga giants; interviews scheduled ‘next week’
MAN UTD KEEN AT ASTON VILLA STAR
Manchester United are now looking at a possible raid on Aston Villa for Ollie Watkins, according to a report.
The Red Devils are desperate to add more firepower this summer as they bid for Premier League glory.
Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen are too difficult and expensive to sign. As a result, Manchester United are looking at a number of other forwards, with Randal Kolo Muani and Goncalo Ramos among their options.
However, Athletics claims United could look a little closer to home, with Villa striker Watkins now an option.
Watkins has two years left on his deal at Aston Villa and negotiations for an extension have been ongoing for some time.
And with a deal not signed, United are reportedly looking to swoop in.
However, any deal will not be easy with Villa without financial pressure and not looking to sell the player. But if United make a firm approach, and if Watkins pushes to make the move, a deal could happen. The striker has an asking price of £60m.
Watkins has been in sparkling form for Villa, scoring 16 goals and adding six assists in the season just concluded.
READ MORE: Man Utd man asked to ditch Ten Hag for Postecoglou project and show ‘incredible’ talent at Tottenham
The article Transfer Gossip: Arsenal plot five superb signings as Edu ‘takes lead’ for £64m France star; Man Utd are planning an incredible £60m raid on Aston Villa appeared first on Teamtalk.com.