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It"s been a drawn-out affair but according to the Daily Telegraph Arsenal will this week complete the signing of Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi, and boy do the Gunners need their back four bolstered after their shambolic 4-3 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday.
Citing Sky Sports Germany as their source, the Telegraph says that the German international has "agreed to sign a five-year deal at the Emirates stadium, and is currently awaiting permission to undergo a medical". It"s believed that the 24-year-old will set the Gunners back 28m, and the deal has been agreed following the arrival in London over the weekend of Valencia owner Peter Lim.
Meanwhile the Telegraph - with a nod to Italian outlet Calciomercato - also says that Arsenal are interested in Juventus midfielder Mario Lemina. Apparently the Gunners" opening offer of 13.3m for the 22-year-old was rebuffed by the Italian champions, who have since informed Arsenal that they will sell only for offers in excess of 17.3m.
Still with all things Italian and the Daily Star claims that Inter Milan are "weighing up an audacious approach for Alexis Sanchez". It"s not the first time that the Chilean frontman has been linked with a move from north London but the Star, taking its cue from Spanish outlet Fichajes, says that new Inter gaffer Frank de Boer has set his sights on Sanchez. But the Star warns de Boer that Sanchez won"t come cheap with the paper alleging that he will only consider a move if "Inter made him the highest-paid player in Italy with a mammoth salary of 7m-a-year".
Arsenal, for their part, would want "around 69m for their star man". But could an exchange be an alternative option? The Star says that Inter striker Mauro Icardi has sent his wife - also his agent - to London "for discussions with the Gunners". The 23-year-old has been linked with the Gunners for a while but the Star also suggests that Mrs Icardi may also "hold talks" with Chelsea, who may look to sign the striker and give Inter Diego Costa in return.
Arsenal transfer news: Deals for Mustafi and Mahrez "close"12 August
Arsenal"s attempts to sign Shkodran Mustafi were the subject of intense speculation on Thursday with claim and denial doing the rounds on social media and in the global press.
As Metro explains the drama began in the morning when Ali Bulut, Mustafi"s agent, told German outlet Spox "that there was an agreement between the defender and Arsenal". He soon backtracked, however, telling German magazine Kicker that he had been misquoted. "There are discussions, but there is no agreement neither between Arsenal and Mustafi let alone between Valencia and Arsenal."
The sticking point is the transfer fee, believes Talksport, with the Spanish club demanding 30m for the player who was a member of the Germany squad that reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016. The 24-year-old Mustafi is well travelled. The German began his career at Everton before moving on to Sampdoria in Italy and then, in 2014, Valencia for around 7m.
The Guardian reports that while a deal was not "imminent" there was nonetheless "a quiet confidence at Arsenal that they will be able to get the deal for Mustafi over the line", although it won"t be in time to include the defender in their squad for the season-opener at home to Liverpool on Sunday.
Confusion also abounds as far as Riyad Mahrez is concerned with Talksport reporting the words of Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri. Asked if the Algerian winger was poised to leave the Foxes for the Gunners, the Italian replied: "Riyad stays with us."
Not so, says the Daily Express, which says that the Gunners have increased their second offer of 35m (their first was 30m) to one of 40m. The news comes courtesy of French sports daily L"Equipe with the paper alleging that Arsenal are confident it will be third time lucky for Mahrez.
The Sun for its part has unearthed a conclusive piece of evidence that points to Mahrez"s imminent arrival at the Emirates - he"s started following Yaya Sanogo on twitter. Why anyone would want to follow the French flop of an Arsenal frontman anywhere will be a matter for future football historians to debate, but the Sun believes that the fact, which "may seem trivial... is sure to get tongue"s wagging."
Arsenal transfer news: 42.5m Shkodran Mustafi deal close11 August
Arsenal have stepped up their pursuit of defender Shkodran Mustafi, with the Daily Star reporting that the Gunners are "in talks with Valencia over a deal".
The German international has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates and earlier this week was left out of Valencia"s matchday squad ahead of a friendly with the Nigerian All-Stars. Reports on Wednesday suggesting Chelsea were looking to make a late move for Mustafi appear to have spurred Arsenal into action as Arsene Wenger looks to sign defensive cover for the crocked pair of Per Mertesacker and Gabriel.
The Star says the Gunners "are in negotiations to secure Mustafi"s services" and are ready to pay the 42.5m release clause in the 24-year-old"s Valencia contract. However, time is of the essence if Arsenal want to include the German World Cup winner in the squad for this weekend"s Premier League opener against Liverpool, with Wenger needing to ensure he is registered by 11am on Friday in order to make the match.
Meanwhile Talksport reports that Serge Gnabry "is a target for Hertha Berlin". Taking its cue from German rag Bild, the broadcaster claims that the Stuttgart-born winger, who was at West Brom on loan last season, is seen by the German club as a star of the future. The 21-year-old wide man, whose last game for the Gunners was March 2014, "could be available for as little as 1.5m during this window".
Arsenal transfer news: Desperate Wenger wants Wilfried Bony10 August
They"ve been blown out by most strikers in the world this summer so it"s not that surprising to learn that Arsenal have resorted to wooing a Manchester City reject in an attempt to strengthen their frontline ahead of next Sunday"s Premier League opener against Liverpool.
According to the Daily Star Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is "set to launch a 30m bid for unwanted Manchester City striker Wilfried Bony".
Described by the paper as an "Ivorian outcast", the 27-year-old Bony was a notable absentee when the Sky Blues lost 3-2 to Arsenal on Sunday in a pre-season friendly in Gothenburg. City Pep Guardiola hinted that the former Swansea sharpshooter was likely to leave by describing him as a Sky Blue "at the moment", and the Star claims that Arsenal are closing in on Bony.
Wenger will make the final decision this week whether to table an official bid for a player who scored 34 goals in 56 starts for Swansea before flopping at City following his 25m move from Wales in January 2015.
Meanwhile there is more speculation in the Daily Express concerning Leicester winger Riyad Mahrez with the paper claiming the Algerian ace has "told Leicester he wants a move to Arsenal". Such rumours have been doing the rounds for weeks but the Express quotes sources in France saying that Mahrez is flattered by the Gunners interest in him and "has now informed Leicester of his decision"
Arsenal transfer news: Brozovic battle and 20m for Mustafi09 August
There is a "transfer tussle" brewing between Arsenal and Liverpool, claims the Daily Star, with Inter Milan"s Marcelo Brozovic the reason for the contretemps.
According to the paper the Premier League pair "both fancy" the Inter Milan playmaker and their dreams could become a reality following recent events at the San Siro. Former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini parted ways with the club at the weekend and the departure of the Inter coach could have ramifications for Brozovic.
The Star says that the Croatian midfielder, who arrived at Inter in January 2015, could be sold "in order to finance spending on other parts of the squad". The 23-year-old comes with a 25m price tag and Italian media reports suggest that Arsenal are in pole position to sign Brozovic although Liverpool are believed to be "monitoring" the situation.
Meanwhile, the Gunners are still hoping to sign a defender. Despite the fact that the transfer window has been open for two months and in that time Arsenal have failed to bolster their back line, the Daily Telegraph claims that Arsene Wenger is "desperate" to land a blocker by Friday.
Their main target remains Shkodran Mustafi, and with centre-back Gabriel out injured they need to land him quickly. "Wenger is now prioritising signing a new defender ahead of his long-running striker search and a bid in the region of 20m for Mustafi is expected to be placed inside 48 hours in the hope a deal could be rushed through," says the paper.
"Arsenal are also interested in Jonny Evans, but West Bromwich Albion are insistent that it would take far more that the 15 million the Gunners are believed to be prepared to pay to tempt them to sell the former Manchester United man."
Arsenal transfer news: Olivier Giroud offered in 35m Mauro Icardi swap8 August
With less than a week to go until the start of the Premier League season, Arsenal fans are increasingly twitchy as another summer passes with no sign of a new frontman at the Emirates.
However, the Gunners are still being linked with plenty of forwards, including Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette.
Arsene Wenger has already had one offer for the player rejected but, despite claims he only wants to move if Real Madrid are interested, have kept him on the radar.
Until now, it seems.
The Daily Telegraph says the Gunners "will have to end their pursuit of Alexandre Lacazette after the 25-year-old appeared to have sustained a hip injury during [Lyon"s] 4-1 defeat to PSG last night in the Trophee des Champions".
How serious the injury is remains to be seen, but some might say being injured would only make him more at home at the Emirates.
Perhaps a more realistic target is Argentina forwards Mauro Icardi. Football Italiacarries the claim that Arsenal are prepared to offer 35m (29.7m) plus Olivier Giroud for the Inter Milan man. However, the Italian club are determined not to sell and are set to offer Icardi a new deal worth 5m (4.25m) a year.
Could a former Manchester United star ride to the rescue? The Daily Star says Wenger could make a move for Javier Hernandez, who scored 17 goals in 28 games for Bayer Leverkusen.
"Lacazette has been top of Wenger"s list in recent weeks but Hernandez appears to be emerging as a serious target," says the paper.
Charlton prospect Ademola Lookman is another option, reports the Daily Mirror. He "is back on the radar of a host of Premier League clubs" after he was watched by scouts at the European Under-19 Championships. The Gunners could face competition for his services from Spurs, Liverpool and Southampton.
"Charlton protected their asset by tying Lookman, 18, to a first long-term deal earlier this year," says the paper. "But it wont deter the clubs who are willing to pay upwards of 2m to poach Lookman before the transfer window closes.
Things look pretty dire for Arsenal at the back too, after an injury to Gabriel has left him sidelined along with Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny. But Goal.com reports "Arsenal are considering a bid for RB Leipzig centre-back Lukas Klostermann", a 20-year-old centre-back currently in Brazil with the German Olympic squad.
"Arsene Wenger has been in search of a new defender ahead of the new season, with a move for Valencia"s Shkodran Mustafi so far failing to materialise," says the website.
Arsenal transfer news: AC Milan join Shkodran Mustafi fight05 August
Just hours after Arsenal confirmed the signing of 18-year-old Nigerian starlet Kelechi Nwakali comes news that will dampen the spirit of Gooners. According to Talksport AC Milan "have joined Arsenal in the race for Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi".
Earlier in the week the north London club were widely expected to capture the blocker in their bid to cover the long term absence of Per Mertesacker, but Arsenal tend not to fare so well in transfer tussles and suddenly they have competition.
It"s believed that the Spanish club will sell for around 20m but Talksport, conveying a report from newspaper Plaza Deportiva, says that AC Milan are now tailing the centre-back too after their attempt to sign Villarreal defender Mateo Musacchio collapsed.
The Sun says that Milan"s interest has led to an intensification of Arsenal"s efforts to snare Mustafi with the paper claiming the club "will hold talks with Valencia" in an effort to finalise a deal. Apparently Arsene Wenger has made the signing of the 24-year-old German international "a priority" before the Gunners open their league campaign on Sunday week against Liverpool.
Finally, the official Arsenal website confirmed on Thursday evening that Wojciech Szczesny has re-joined AS Roma on loan for the coming season. The Polish gloveman, who appeared for his country at the Euros in June, made 34 league appearances for Roma last season and though there were rumours earlier in the summer that the Italian club wanted to make the deal permanent, Arsenal have desisted from agreeing to their request.
Arsenal transfer news: Julian Draxler demands Wolfsburg exit04 August
It"s been a long time coming but could Arsenal be about to land forward Julian Draxler?
According to Talksport, the Gunners have been given the green light to make a move after the 22-year-old Germany international announced that he "wants to leave Wolfsburg this summer".
Arsenal have long been linked with the midfielder and are now set to pounce after he "revealed his frustration" with the Bundesliga club and requested a transfer.
Draxler only arrived at Wolfsburg 12 months ago in a deal from Schalke 04, but relations have deteriorated in recent weeks with Draxler allegedly unhappy "with comments coming out of the club about his future".
In a conversation with German paper Bild, the playmaker expressed his disquiet with the way things have worked out and said: "It was clear that Wolfsburg had good prospects, but also that they were a springboard for me. It was always clear to everybody that I would like to join a top club in Europe, if I were to get the chance."
That chance appears to have come and Arsenal are readying themselves for a bid that is likely to be in the region of 30m.
However, the Daily Express reports that Wolfsburg were swift to react to Draxler"s comments, and made it clear they will not play ball with the Gunners and denied that they had agreed to let him leave.
"Wolfsburg will not be selling Julian Draxler during the course of the current transfer period." said the club. "In joint discussions with Julian Draxler, VfL Wolfsburg again made it clear that they would not be granting the player"s wish to make a move."
Meanwhile, the Express also reports that Arsenal have "beaten Manchester United to the signing of Kelechi Nwakali". The Nigeria Under-20 international was first linked to the Gunners in January and while a move looked set, United suddenly snuck into the reckoning. But the Express says that the 18-year-old midfielder and his agent have now "arrived in London to complete the deal".
Finally, Arsenal"s defender of the day is Torino"s Bruno Peres. He"s got a 17m price tag and according to the Daily Star is "keen to secure a move to the Gunners so he can fulfil his Premier League and Champions League ambitions". The Italian club are prepared to sell the Brazilian just so long as Arsene Wenger doesn"t try and haggle them down a few quid.
Source: http://www.theweek.co.uk/arsenal-transfer-news/69162/arsenal-transfer-news-shkodran-mustafi-close-alexis-sanchez-swap-deal
