Arsenal Transfer News Today: Calafiori KEEN, Big Striker OFFER, Romano drops Arteta BOMB

Robin Bairner

Updated: 3 Jul 2024 20:19 BST
5 min read

The latest Arsenal football transfer news updates, with the hottest updates on all the potential new signings and sales at the Emirates, with the Gunners closing in on a deal for Riccardo Calafiori, Mikel Arteta’s new contract and renewed hope of a deal for Victor Osimhen.

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Arsenal leading Calafiori race

All the signs are pointing to Arsenal winning the race for Riccardo Calafiori, with reports in Italy suggesting that the Gunners are closing in on an agreement with Bologna for the centre-back, who starred for Italy at Euro 2024.

Di Marzio reports that the Emirates side are getting ‘closer and closer’ to a deal.

It is also stated that PSG, Chelsea and Bayer Leverkusen have all been in contact with Leverkusen but Arsenal are said to have presented the “most intriguing” project for both the player and the Serie A outfit.

According to the Corriere dello Sport, Arsenal have lodged a €47m bid for the Bologna defender, which meets the club’s asking price.

Fabrizio Romano has also chimed in, confirming that Calafiori is open to a switch to the Emirates. However, he insists that Chelsea remain in the firmly in the race and that the Blues are the only serious challengers for the Gunners.

Current ETV

Riccardo Calafiori

D (C)

Bologna

Riccardo Calafiori

D (C)

Bologna

ETV Range

€12.9M - €21.5M

Arteta close to new deal – Romano

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is closing in on a new deal with the club, having led the Gunners to second place in the Premier League in successive seasons.

“The negotiation between Arsenal and the agents of Mikel Arteta are going very well. The contract extension of Arteta at Arsenal is getting closer. There is confidence that it will get done very soon. He wants to continue at Arsenal, Arsenal want to continue with him. His mission is to continue at the club with a new contract,” Romano said.

READ MORE: Latest Arsenal transfer rumours

New Obi-Martin offer

Speaking of new contracts, Romano has also revealed that Arsenal have made an improved contract offer for Chido Obi-Martin, with the youngster still refusing to commit his future to the Gunners.

The 16-year-old sharpshooter, coming off a 32-goal season with the U18s, is being courted by Bayern and Dortmund. FootballTransfers exclusively reported last month that his family is pushing for a move to the Bundesliga.

Osimhen discount opens door to Arsenal

Arsenal will not have to pay Victor Osimhen’s release clause in full if they want to sign him from Napoli, but the Emirates club have been warned that the Serie A giants have a figure in mind they will not dip below.

SportMediaSet (via SpazioNapoli) reports that there are four match players in the transfer race for Osimhen, with the Gunners facing competition from Manchester United, Chelsea and PSG for the Nigeria international hitman.

Osimhen will be allowed to depart – but not for a sum below €100m.

It remains to be seen whether this is cheap enough to tempt Arteta and Edu into a move.

Current ETV

Victor Osimhen

F (C)

Napoli

Victor Osimhen

F (C)

Napoli

ETV Range

€53.3M - €88.9M

Nico Williams transfer blow

Chelsea and Arsenal are both willing to trigger the release clause of Athletic Club winger Nico Williams, who is presently starring with Spain at Euro 2024. The Stamford Bridge club hold the edge over the Gunners in this particular race, however.

According to AS, Todd Boehly’s side are willing to offer the winger wages worth €15m per season.

Some doubt should be cast on this figure, though. While Chelsea have been spending big in the market, they have been thrifty in terms of the wages of their new additions, preferring to offer the security of a long deal as opposed to the attraction of large wages in the short term.

Arsenal’s hope in this race is, therefore, not dead.

Current ETV

Nico Williams

M (L)

Athletic

Nico Williams

M (L)

Athletic

ETV Range

€34.2M - €57M

Kounde deal in the balance

Arsenal’s prospects of landing Jules Kounde from Barcelona hinge on Manchester United.

According to Sport, Arsenal have already made contact with Barcelona over the possible transfer of Kounde, who can play either at right-back or in the centre of defence.

In return, Barca have asked the Gunners for time to make a response. It is encouraging for Mikel Arteta’s side that it has not been a flat ‘no’ and suggests that a deal is possible.

The move, however, hinges on centre-back Ronald Araujo, who has been linked with a move to Manchester United.