Arsenal's perfect Morgan Rogers response as Berta plots to derail City's transfer plans

By Danong 

Arsenal have missed out on their top summer target, Morgan Rogers.

Reports suggest Aston Villa stood firm on their demands, and Arsenal were unwilling to meet the hefty asking price slapped on their attacker. Chelsea, however, saw an opportunity to show their appetite to spend and did just that, giving the Villans what they wanted: £117 million for Rogers.

While the attacker could have snubbed the Blues and picked Arsenal instead, forcing Villa to negotiate with the Gunners, he chose not to. In fact, it is suggested that he preferred Stamford Bridge over the Emirates.

Had the transfer gone through, Rogers would have come in as a left winger. Arsenal have, of course, already secured a left winger in Christos Tzolis, but the Greek is seen as more of a backup to the marquee left-winger signing the English champions still intend to make.

With Rogers no longer an option, Fabrizio Romano has now suggested Arsenal may turn to Yan Diomande to satisfy their left-winger need. 

The Italian transfer guru says, "Arsenal, over the last few days, made some checks with the agents of Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig to understand if there was still a chance to enter the deal. Arsenal made some calls to understand the situation."

The Ivorian international is one of the deadliest wingers out there. Explosive and two-footed, he combines electrifying pace with elite one-v-one dribbling skill that sees him easily create goalscoring chances for himself or his teammates.

He too will not come cheap, and inexperienced as he is, it remains to be seen whether the Gunners would offer £100 million plus for his services, the fee Borussia Dortmund want to sanction a sale.

Beyond the winger search, Arsenal must also address William Saliba's fitness, with the Frenchman potentially sidelined for months. He has spent the past few months playing through pain because of a back issue he has been managing.

John Stones and Ezri Konsa have already been touted as transfer solutions, but a new option has now emerged: as per Ben Jacobs, the Gunners are among the clubs interested in Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix.

In pursuing the Frenchman, though, they may be setting themselves up for a transfer battle with Chelsea, who are already in talks with Crystal Palace.

A battle with Chelsea will not be the only one the English champions face, either. According to L'Equipe, Arsenal are set to press hard for Ayyoub Bouaddi, and in doing so will go head-to-head with Manchester City for the World Cup standout.

Stones transfer opportunity too good to ignore as Morgan Rogers bid set to open talks

By Danong 

After letting Leandro Trossard leave, Arsenal have moved quickly to sign Greek winger sensation Christos Tzolis.

For only £33.9 million, Tzolis, who scored 22 goals and provided 29 assists in 52 games for Club Brugge last season, arrives to replace the goals Trossard used to deliver.

But interestingly, alongside Tzolis, Arsenal are also set to expedite a move for Morgan Rogers, certainly the Gunners' first-choice left-winger target.

Arsenal now feel motivated to submit their first bid. Whether it proves a winning bid remains to be seen, but it will clearly bring both sides to the table, where they can reach a compromise.

If Rogers arrives then Arsenal will theoretically have three options for the left wing, Tzolis, Martinelli and Rogers. It looks as though Rogers will also be utilised as a left sided midfielder, a versatility that Arteta values a lot.

Beyond Rogers, Arsenal are still pressing for Julian Alvarez. Atletico Madrid are willing to do business, but the ball sits in the forward's court, and he is said to want a move to Barcelona instead. Unfortunately for him, Atletico Madrid are not ready to sell to a direct rival. So, should the Argentine agree to a move to the Emirates, Arsenal can probably strike a deal.

But we shouldn't count out the possibility of Alvarez staying put!

That said, some frustrating news has emerged. It has been revealed that William Saliba may to undergo surgery to treat his chronic back pain and if so Arsenal expect the France international centre-back to be out of action for four to five months. That should certainly impact the Gunners' transfer plans.

While Christian Mosquera can step up, Arsenal would be wise to add another defensive option to fill the gap Saliba leaves behind.

We have already covered reports of Arsenal pursuing Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa as cover for Saliba; whether they go through with that deal remains to be seen.

But what if, instead of Konsa, they turn to free agent John Stones? Stones ranks among the most decorated English players of all time. 

Elite in possession and now available on a free transfer, he represents a no-brainer move for Andrea Berta. He could suit Mikel Arteta's game plan perfectly and provide ideal defensive cover for Arsenal.

Arsenal offer to Brugge imminent as personal terms with Tzolis revealed

By 1970s Gooner 

Christos Tzolis has agreed personal terms with Arsenal on a contract running until 2031, according to Italian journalist Nicolò Schira. 

The Greek winger is now one step closer to joining the English champions. He has agreed to a five-year deal worth €3 million per year. 

Arsenal are now preparing to submit an official offer to Club Brugge for his transfer. 

The Gunners have reportedly been scouting Tzolis several times since February after he enjoyed an outstanding season in Belgium, recording 19 goals and 24 assists in all competitions. 

The transfer fee is expected to exceed €40 million. 

Tzolis puts another offer on hold to wait for Arsenal and Atletico set their terms

 By Danong 

According to Florian Plettenberg, Besiktas have done everything in their power to secure the green light for Leandro Trossard. A tempting contract proposal is on the table, ready for the Arsenal forward to sign.

A club-to-club €20m agreement is already in place, meaning all that is left is Trossard's final decision. A decision is expected very soon, and although the German journalist confirms Trossard has several options on the table, Besiktas are waiting for his final answer.

The hope is that Trossard greenlights a move to Besiktas, as the Gunners are ready to strike a deal for Greek winger Christos Tzolis as his replacement.

The Club Brugge winger, who scored 22 goals and provided 29 assists in 52 games last term, is tipped for a big move.

Fabrizio Romano now says that Tzolis wants the move and has put another proposal on hold to wait for Arsenal.

That said this blog"s 1970s Gooner is dead against this move as he considers Trossard an excellent and reliable winger who has greatly contributed to Arsenal's triumph last season.

According to The Independent's Miguel Delaney, Arsenal are attempting to complete a deal for Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez before pre-season.

PSG have cooled their interest in the forward, while Atletico do not wish to sell to domestic rivals. The Gunners are keen and pushing and have been told it will take more than £100 million to strike a deal.

Interestingly, Delaney suggests that, in addition to Alvarez, Arsenal will also look to sign Morgan Rogers, with Mikel Arteta wanting both players next season. However, both deals currently hinge on the players' involvement at the World Cup.

Berta much closer to Guimaraes and two other signings

By Danong and 1970s Gooner 

Apparently Arsenal have been told that the only way to get the Morgan Rogers deal done this summer is to meet Aston Villa’s full valuation.

The Midlands club demand £130 million even to consider opening talks with the Gunners over their talisman, so it remains to be seen whether the English champions will break their transfer record.

It appears that Villa have set a mammoth valuation on Rogers so that they can get to their dream transfer fee of around 100m.

Manchester City's purchase of Anderson for 116m has unfortunately set the bar at an inflationary level. The sooner City are told of the panel's decision on the 115+ charges the better....

Meanwhile, with Leandro Trossard expected to join Besiktas, Arsenal appear to have already lined up his replacement. The Gunners are now close to completing an agreement with Club Brugge to sign Christos Tzolis for a fee in the region of £35 million.

It looks an exciting capture, given the winger’s impressive tally of 22 goals and 29 assists in just 52 appearances last season. But 35m implies that he will not be a nailed on starter. Rogers may be that...

Elsewhere in a major development on the Bruno Guimaraes front, the Brazilian has asked Newcastle United to let him join Arsenal. Transfer guru Ben Jacobs has revealed that Guimaraes has already verbally agreed terms with the Gunners.

Newcastle still insist their captain is not for sale and deny any direct negotiations so far, but Arsenal are expected to lodge a formal bid shortly. This is definitely one to watch. And what a midfield we will be able to field the coming season.

With the player keen and Arsenal ready to commit, the Magpies may have little choice but to give in, given their captain’s head has been turned.

That said, Arsenal have signed another goalkeeper. The Gunners have brought in Illan Meslier, their ninth keeper arrival since Mikel Arteta took charge. With Kepa Arrizabalaga set to leave, the former Leeds man will arrive as the club’s second-choice goalkeeper.

Besiktas announce agreement with Arsenal for Trossard

By 1970s Gooner 

Arsenal did not include Leandro Trossard in their plans for next season and have agreed to transfer him to Besiktas. 

The Belgian international forward is under contract until the summer of 2027, but Arsenal informed his agent last month that he was available for transfer. 

Although Trossard had offers from clubs in Saudi Arabia, Besiktas reached an agreement with the English champions after making a €25 million (£21.4m) offer for the player. According to the report, Arsenal confirmed the agreement. 

The 31-year-old joined Arsenal from Brighton in January 2023. Last season, he scored 8 goals and provided 11 assists in 50 appearances across all competitions.

Trossard has reportedly agreed to a three-year contract with Besiktas, worth €7 million per year (£6.0m).

Rayan creeps into Arsenal's transfer plans, Trossard deal agreed and truth of £34m Odegaard exit

By Danong 

Rayan is a man on the rise. Having joined AFC Bournemouth in the winter, he played so well that the club barely felt Antoine Semenyo's absence.

In 15 games, he racked up seven goal contributions for the Cherries. Unsurprisingly, his bright form has also earned him a key role in Brazil's World Cup campaign.

Now fully unleashed to the world, the versatile attacker is attracting plenty of interest, and Arsenal have reportedly entered the race to prise him away from the Vitality Stadium.

Interestingly, Rayan is not the only target on Arsenal's radar at Bournemouth; the Gunners are also actively pursuing Alex Scott.

Meanwhile, Ayyoub Bouaddi may have dropped off Arsenal's list of midfield targets. As Caught Offside explains, "Lille's desire to keep the Morocco international for one more season does not suit Arsenal, and, from what the outlet understands, no deal exists to loan him back there or sign him in 2027."

That said, Trossard seems to have played his last game for Arsenal. He turned into some player for the Gunners, racking up 36 goals and 34 assists in 174 appearances.

The Belgian winger is set to join Besiktas after the Turkish side agreed a €20 million deal to sign the 31-year-old.

Given that his contract in North London was set to expire next summer, this represents a great deal for Arsenal. Hopefully, Trossard's departure has now opened the door to a signing of Morgan Rogers or Bradley Barcola.

Like Trossard, Martin Odegaard has also been linked with an Arsenal exit, with some suggesting that everything has been agreed for him to join Galatasaray.

Worrying as that seemed for some Gooners, though, those claims have now been rubbished.

GOAL has labelled the claims "completely false", insisting that the playmaker will not be joining the Turkish giants on a £34.3 million deal.

City hijack Monga deal, Konsa eyed as Saliba cover, plus £60m Guimaraes bid

 By Danong 

Jeremy Monga to Arsenal is off the table. The Gunners thought they had won the race for the young winger's signature, but Leicester's asking price didn't sit well with the English champions. As the two clubs struggled to agree a fee, the door opened for a hijack, and Manchester City have duly obliged.

The Cityzens have convinced Monga to join them, agreeing to meet the Foxes' asking price. According to The Athletic, Arsenal could have tried to compete by matching the offer, but they chose not to.

That said, Arsenal now have a clear idea of who they will target if they do make a defensive signing. William Saliba may need back surgery, and if he does, Mikel Arteta, according to the Telegraph, is pushing the club to sign Ezri Konsa.

The Gunners are warming to the idea of landing the Aston Villa star, though the move could end up affecting their pursuit of Morgan Rogers.

Meanwhile, two major sales at Newcastle- Anthony Gordon to Barcelona and Sandro Tonali to Tottenham Hotspur- may spell doom for Arsenal's chase of Bruno Guimaraes.

With Newcastle's finances in the healthiest state they've ever been, the Magpies may no longer need to sell.

Still, according to Simon Jordan, there is a belief that a deal for Guimaraes can be struck. Behind the scenes, talks continue, with the Premier League champions convinced they can get a deal done for around £60 million.

On top of that, Kepa Arrizabalaga has asked to leave Arsenal, and his wish may soon be granted.

The leading name under consideration to replace him is free agent Illan Meslier. Should the former Leeds man accept a role as understudy, Arsenal could capture him to deputise for David Raya.