Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Mbappe ‘willing to join Gunners’, Chelsea ‘in battle for Williams’, Neto updates
KYLIAN MBAPPE is reportedly “willing” to sign for Arsenal in a blockbuster move so he can follow in the footsteps of his hero Thierry Henry.
Elsewhere, the Gunners are reportedly eyeing up a summer move for Wolves winger Pedro Neto.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are reportedly monitoring Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams ahead of a potential summer transfer.
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Supercomputer predicts Prem table
Arsenal will lift the Premier League title in May according to a supercomputer.
The artificial intelligence has Arsenal first, followed closely by Liverpool in second and last season's champions Manchester City slumping to third.
Aston Villa round out the top four, despite this weekend's loss to Champions League rivals Manchester United.
The data was crunched by BettingExpert's algorithm named BETSiE, which simulates the Premier League season 100,0000 times.
The data also takes into account results from last season, pre-season results, the current season and xG throughout the year.
Arteta BLOCKING Juventus transfer
Juventus have been trying 'for years' to sign Arsenal midfielder Jorginho, but Mikel Arteta is blocking the way.
According to Calciomecato, the Italian club have been on Jorginho's trail 'for years' and could make their move this summer when his contract at Arsenal runs out.
Arteta appears to back Jorginho and it looks unlikely the Gunners will let a player of his quality slip away.
Credit: Getty
Mbappe 'willing' to sign for Arsenal
Kylian Mbappe is allegedly “willing” to sign for Arsenal in a blockbuster move so he can follow in the footsteps of his hero Thierry Henry.
Real Madrid are still courting Mbappe relentlessly and the transfer chase is set to go into overdrive now he has entered the final six months of his contract.
While the La Liga giants have looked to be his likely destination for several years, a number of claims have emerged that the hotshot is open to offers from elsewhere.
Premier League leaders Liverpool have been linked, but now The Independent is stating that Arsenal are an English club that Mbappe would “willingly join”.
He is believed to be enticed at the chance to follow the Gunners’ all-time top goalscorer Henry’s journey.
Neto set to leave Wolves
Wolves will finance Gary O'Neil's summer transfer moves by selling one of their A-list stars.
And it seems certain Portuguese wing-king Pedro Neto will be the next cab off the Molineux rank.
Arsenal are long-term admirers of the winger, while Liverpool were ready to test the waters with a bid in 2021.
Manchester United have also reportedly held talks about the ex-Braga star.
Meanwhile, Ange Postecoglu is expected to compete with Arsenal to try and lure Neto to Tottenham.
Credit: Getty On this day...
On this day in 2007 Queen Elizabeth became the first monarch to host a football team at Buckingham Palace as Arsenal visited.
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Huge VAR change proposed
Some Prem clubs feel too many "subjective" decisions are being changed by VAR - and want an even lighter touch to be introduced.
Club chiefs accept "factual" calls on offsides and determining whether offences took place inside or outside the box, just as they are happy with the goalline decision technology.
They are also confident that limb-tracking semi-automated offside technology will speed up the process - although it is increasingly unlikely the system will be brought in for next season.
But a series of controversial calls by officials and the VAR teams in Stockley Park has begun a debate around the Prem boardroom table over where the balance on changing calls should lie.
A number of clubs are now arguing that all “subjective” on-pitch decisions should be unchallenged unless there is absolute evidence to overturn them. This one will rumble.
Barcelona 'follow' Martinelli
Barcelona are allegedly set to launch a sensational transfer swoop for Gabriel Martinelli as they “closely follow” the ace.
The Brazilian has scored 20 goals and produced seven assists since the start of last season and is one of Mikel Arteta’s key men.
He remains under contract until 2027 but that is not stopping interest from mounting in him.
Mundo Deportivo claims that Barcelona see it as “necessary to sign a wing attacker for the left” during the summer transfer.
And Martinelli is on a three-man shortlist of potential targets that they are plotting a move for.
Brighton’s Kaouru Mitoma and Napoli’s Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are also on the list.
Credit: Reuters
Gunner hurt
Harry Kane's chances of winning a maiden trophy took another huge dent last night.
After losing 3-0 to Bayer Leverkusen at the weekend and dropping five points behind the Bundesliga leaders, his Bayern Munich side suffered a 1-0 defeat to Lazio in their opening Champions League knockout stage.
That leaves them with a huge mountain to climb in the second leg.
While Kane's chances of winning a first team trophy have been left hanging in the balance, the striker is likely to collect another individual accolade.
He has been on fire in Germany, scoring 24 goals in just 21 Bundesliga appearances.
The former Tottenham star is seven goals clear of second-placed Serhou Guirassy and looks to set to add another golden boot to the three he won in the Premier League and one at the 2018 Fifa World Cup.
However, some eagle-eyed observers have noticed that the Bundesliga's top scorer trophy appears to resemble a cannon much like the Arsenal - his former rivals - badge, to Gunners fans' glee.
Credit: Reuters Seaman on Declan Rice
Arsenal legend David Seaman found it "strange" that Declan Rice declined to celebrate his wonder goal against former club West Ham.
Seaman told his Parimatch-sponsored podcast:
What a goal it was not to celebrate! To see him not celebrate was strange for me, because it was just such a good goal and the icing on the cake on an incredible day for him and the club.
I was so happy for Declan because he was getting a lot of stick from West Ham fans.
He got a lot of stick at the Emirates recently when they beat Arsenal, so I was so happy for him for turning it around on Sunday.
David SeamanEmile Smith Rowe injury
Arsenal ace Emile Smith Rowe has been injured during training.
According to The Times, Smith Rowe was crocked trying to leap over a slide tackle in training.
The playmaker is said to have suffered bruising and swelling after landing uncomfortably.
It's claimed the England international wanted to try to play through the pain but the Gunners refused to take any risks.
Arsenal target Mitoma
Arsenal have been linked with Brighton star Kaoru Mitoma ahead of the summer transfer window.
However, the Gunners are facing immense competition from Premier League rivals who are also keeping tabs on Mitoma.
Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea are thought to be amongst the winger's biggest admirers.
And reports in Spain claim the Seagulls might be prepared to consider offers for the 26-year-old at the end of the season.
Credit: Getty Arsenal to 'miss out' on Osimhen
Arsenal hero William Gallas expects Chelsea to win the transfer war for Napoli superstar Victor Osimhen, who has been linked with the Gunners.
Gallas told Genting Casino:
I think they will sign Osimhen in the summer. I don’t know Victor that well but he’s similar to [Didier] Drogba.
Didier was so strong but with Osimhen, he is also very quick.
I’m sure he’ll do a lot of damage in the Premier League.
William GallasFerdinand on Saka
Rio Ferdinand insists Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is not "world class" despite becoming the youngest player in more than 40 years to reach 50 goals for the club.
Not yet. Listen. I think Saka's been unreal. I actually think he needs a bit of a rest, so many games for a young kid.
But I think, it's almost like what is world-class? He hasn't done it in the Champions League, has he?
I'm talking in the nitty-gritty stages. Saka's top, don't get me wrong. He's not world-class yet.
Rio Ferdinand
Why Klopp is leaving
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry claims Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp decided to leave Anfield because he "has to take care of himself".
Good for you. Pep was at Barcelona, took a sabbatical year. Klopp is at Liverpool, is stopping. Xavi is at Barcelona, he is also stopping. Three great clubs.
That’s a dream job normally and they are stopping. That tells you a story. The pressure, everybody has a voice, social media and whatnot.
It is tough to be a manager and no one cares about you. You’re going to have to take care of yourself at one point.
I understand that it’s very nice for fans and everybody involved, journalists, but do not think only about yourself and thinking that the Premier League will miss Klopp, that Liverpool will miss Klopp.
We know that, we know that is true. But he was missing his family, he was missing his own time, he was missing his sanity. So good for him. When I got the news, I was like: ‘Good for you'.”
Thierry HenryJuve lost him
Juventus have been trying 'for years' to sign Arsenal star Jorginho but manager Mikel Arteta is blocking the way.
According to Calciomecato, Juve have been on the midfielder's trail 'for years'.
And the Bianconeri could make their move this summer, when his contract at the Emirates runs out.
Arteta appears to back the Italy international and it looks unlikely the North Londoners will let a player of his quality slip away.
Credit: Getty Neto transfer latest
Wolves could be open to hear summer offers for Arsenal transfer target Pedro Neto.
Manager Gary O'Neil might have to sell an A-lister to fund his own transfer plans.
And Neto is rated the main contender, with Manchester United, Tottenham and Liverpool also keen.
O'Neil wants a new striker, centre-half and winger - but has to do so within strict Profit and Sustainability Rules.
Nico Williams transfer war
Arsenal and Chelsea sent scouts to watch Athletic Bilbao star Nico Williams amid an impressive season.
According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, the Gunners and the Blues have sent representatives "multiple times" to follow the Spain international's progress.
However, there is nothing advanced between the winger and any of the Premier League rivals at this stage.
The bidding war is "completely open" meaning more suitors could swoop in for Williams and create competition for Arsenal as well as Chelsea.
Emmanuel Petit prediction
Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit is confident his former club will easily beat Porto next week in the Champions League.
Petit told Betway:
I think Arsenal will win away from home. I think it will be 1-0 or 2-1.
It will be a close game as it’s two legged, but Arsenal are fresher than I’ve ever seen them.
The break in Dubai really helped them.
Emmanuel PetitMbappe keen to join Arsenal
Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe is reportedly "willing” to sign for Arsenal in the summer.
Mbappe also appears keen to follow in the footsteps of his hero Thierry Henry.
According to The Independent, however, PSG chiefs still expect the star striker to join Real Madrid in the summer.
But It is believed Real's proposal was lower than what they put on the table two years ago for the France international, who is still sitting on the fence about the move.
Credit: Getty
Boss plays down De Ligt to Arsenal
Bayern Munich sporting director Christoph Freund has moved to quell rumours surrounding Manchester United and Arsenal target Matthijs de Ligt's future at the club.
Speaking to the press, Bayern's sporting director Freund has admitted that De Ligt was 'disappointed' after being dropped by Tuchel for Saturday's clash with Leverkusen, but insisted that the club are keen to keep hold of the player.
"Of course it was a disappointment for him, but we are happy to have him with us. We have a lot of competition. Matthijs knows that, he's handling it professionally and is a top professional."
Takehiro Tomiyasu signs new deal
Takehiro Tomiyasu has signed a new Arsenal contract and hopes to be available to face Burnley on Saturday, according to Arsenal Informer.
The defender has been missing for several weeks but could make the matchday squad this weekend, before Arsenal return to Champions League action next week.
Seaman comments on Rice goal
David Seaman found it strange that Declan Rice did not celebrate his goal against West Ham.
He said on his podcast Seaman Says: “What a goal it was not to celebrate!
“To see him not celebrate was strange for me, because it was just such a good goal and the icing on the cake on an incredible day for him and the club."
Tottenham eye former Arsenal target
Tottenham have just submitted a bid to sign Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona – a player who once said he wants to play for Arsenal.
That is according to Gerard Romero, who claims
Spurs have made an offer worth £51million for the Netherlands international.
The reliable Spanish journalist added on Twitch that Tottenham have offered De Jong a four-year contract which gives him the chance to match his salary at Barcelona if he triggers specific objectives.