Arsenal dealt blow in Lookman pursuit
Ademola Lookman is expected to stay at Atalanta According to TuttoAtalanta.
He has reportedly held a positive meeting with Atalanta about his future.
The two parties have found a middle ground to continue together so it appears the former Everton wide player is set to remain in Serie A beyond the summer.
A new deal could be agreed in the coming days, putting Arsenal back to the drawing board with just eight days in the window remaining.
Arteta told to sign former Chelsea star
Emmanuel Petit believes Arsenal should withdraw their interest in £30m target Mikel Merino and launch an audacious move for former Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante.
He told Safest Casino Sites: “If Arsenal want to bring a player who will be great competition for the midfielders, I don’t think it should be Mikel Merino or Frenkie de Jong because they’re primarily number eights.
“I think Arsenal should bring back N’Golo Kante to the Premier League. I want him to play for Arsenal, he would be so important to the side in terms of rotation.
“Kante’s spirit, reading of the game and breaking the opposition lines is still top quality. He can play as a holding midfielder and as a number eight.
“When you look at Arsenal’s squad, they’re all humble, that fits Kante perfectly and Arteta would love him.”
Teen features in senior training
Teenager Ayden Heaven, 17, took part in first-team training this week.
The youngster has attracted transfer interest from Borussia Dortmund and featured in pre-season for the Gunners.
Mikel Arteta has never shied away from calling up youngsters to first-team training with Ethan Nwaneri even making his debut for the club at 15 years of age.
Arsenal receive Merino transfer boost
Mikel Merino is training away from the Real Sociedad squad as he closes in on a move to Arsenal.
The Gunners and Sociedad have been locked in talks this week over a deal for Merino, with the Spanish club holding out for a fee of around £34million.
Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay is said to have flown to London for negotiations and there is optimism that an agreement can be reached.
Merino, who was in the Spain squad that won Euro 2024, wants to join Arsenal and was left out of the Sociedad squad for their opening game of the La Liga season on Sunday.
Vieira showers Gooner with praise
Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira has revealed why his is such a big fan of Declan Rice.
He said of the midfielder: “I like him because he’s a team player and I think, when you play in that position, you have to be the one who sacrifices yourself for the team.
“You have to win the ball and you have to give it to the players who can make the difference.
“It’s a really difficult position because you work hard for the team but you may not get a lot of credit like the guys who score those goals.”
Toney to Arsenal ‘makes sense’
Arsenal could make a move for Ivan Toney in the last week of the window, according to former striker Dimitar Berbatov.
He said: “Toney to Arsenal? Why not? I think he made the most of his playing time at the Euros and gave everything and the best that he could with such a limited amount of playing time.
“The way he plays the game. The way he moves, scoring goals, taking penalties and taking responsibility means it’s time for the next step but which direction that is we will have to wait and see.”
