Arsenal Transfer News Today: Gunners chase 'NEW NEYMAR' and Rafa Leao TEAMS UP with Declan Rice
Cameron Smith
- 14 Jul 2023 08:19 BST
- 6 min read
Arsenal’s recruitment team are keeping an eye on Santos striker Marcos Leonardo, who some are calling ‘the next Neymar.’
FootballTransfers are told that the Gunners, who already have a number of Brazilians at the club who they plucked from South America, have had scouts out watching the 20-year-old.
Arsenal have a habit of hunting down top young Brazilian talent and bringing them to the Emirates, such as Gabriel Martinelli and Marquinhos, and they are weighing up whether to do the same here.
MORE: Premier League 2023/24 summer transfers: All the Done Deals
At this point, we are told that a fee of around £20m could be enough to prise the youngster away and have him link up with compatriots Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Magalhaes among others.
The Brazilian Under-19 international, whose contract runs out in 2026, has scored 11 goals and four assists in 27 appearances in 2023.
Rice trains with Leao to send Arsenal fans CRAZY
Rafael Leao has been pictured in pre-season training alongside Declan Rice, Joao Cancelo and Bruno Fernandes, sending Arsenal fans into a frenzy on the Twittersphere.
Rice is about to complete a £105 million move to Arsenal from West Ham, but has been training with the Portugal international trio in their home country in order to arrive at the Emirates in peak physical condition.
While Fernandes is entrenched at Manchester United and looks like their captain-in-waiting with Harry Maguire made available for transfer, Leao and Cancelo have both previously been linked with a move to Arsenal - and some Gunners fans have already dubbed Declan as 'Agent Rice.'
Jorginho speaks out about Rice transfer
With Rice out training in Portugal, many Arsenal fans have begun to worry why he hasn't officially joined the club yet, and Gunners midfielder Jorginho has revealed that he does not know either when an announcement will finally be made.
The Italian replied with "Good question. No idea," and laughing emojis when confronted with the question "When are Rice and Timber joining?" This response may fuel some fears, but there is no reason to worry, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The transfer expert spoke about the delay on his YouTube channel on Wednesday and assured Gunners fans that the deals are still very much in place and that an announcement is only a matter of time.
Milan in for Balogun
AC Milan are weighing up whether or not to make a move for Arsenal's Folarin Balogun, according to Italian media.
The newly-minted United States men's national team star is one of the hottest properties in the Premier League this summer. He's coming off an exceptional season with Stade Reims in Ligue 1, scoring 21 goals in 37 outings.
His price, however, is believed to be a bit too steep for most teams in Europe. The Gunners are said to want at least €40-50 million, a fee most clubs aren't prepared to shell out on a player who only has one full season's worth of top-level experience under his belt.
Nevertheless, there are interested parties, but they might try to lowball Arsenal.
Arteta updates on Balogun and window priorities for Arsenal
On the subject of Balogun, coach Mikel Arteta has updated on the situation regarding the striker.
Arteta said: "He’s just staying here with us at the moment and we will see what happens."
Af for the wider window for the Gunners, he added: "There’s still a lot of things to do. Things develop all the time in the last few things as well. We need to be really on it and alert".
Besiktas bid for Holding
Besiktas have submitted a €2.5 million offer for Arsenal defender Rob Holding, but the bid is set to be rejected by the Gunners, according to the Athletic.
Arsenal are set to sign Jurrien Timber from Ajax to bolster their backline, but Mikel Arteta reportedly does not want to let Holding leave for that modest fee.
MORE: Out Of Contract in 2023: Best players available on a free transfer
