Arsenal Transfer News Today: Arteta REACTION to Smith Rowe exit, Chiesa DISCUSSIONS, Merino CLOSE

Cameron Smith

Updated: 2 Aug 2024 19:49 BST
5 min read

Mikel Arteta, Emile Smith Rowe, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

FootballTransfers runs through the latest Arsenal football transfer news updates, including the latest on Emile Smith Rowe, Adrien Rabiot, Federico Chiesa and Mikel Merino.

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Arteta reacts to Smith Rowe sale

Fulham have confirmed the signing of Emile Smith Rowe from Arsenal in a club-record £34 million deal.

The Cottagers will pay £27m to the Gunners, with £7m following in bonuses.

“Emile’s commitment, attitude and energy every day was first class, always stepping up when the team needed him,” said Mikel Arteta.

“He came into the first team and was instrumental during a difficult moment for us. He created an important impression, with his strong performances making our supporters proud.

“I’m sad that Emile is leaving us, but excited for him to take this new opportunity at this stage of his career, when he needs to be starting matches and playing regularly.

“Emile is loved by everyone at the club and leaves us with our gratitude, absolute respect and best wishes. We all wish Emile and his family well at Fulham.”

Current ETV

Emile Smith Rowe

M (C)

Arsenal

Emile Smith Rowe

M (C)

Arsenal

ETV Range

€9.1M - €15.1M

Federico Chiesa latest

Arsenal are in contact with Federico Chiesa's agent, Fali Ramadani, according to Italian outlet La Stampa (via Tutto Juve).

The Italy international, 26, has just one year left on his current contract at Juventus and he has been heavily linked with a summer transfer.

Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Manchester United are also reportedly in negotiations with Ramadani as they eye a possible move for the Juventus winger.

Chiesa reportedly wants to leave Juve after being sent a message on his wedding day by director Beppe Marotta.

Current ETV

Federico Chiesa

F (C)

Juventus

Federico Chiesa

F (C)

Juventus

ETV Range

€20.7M - €34.5M

Adrien Rabiot wanted

Arsenal are currently in ‘pole position’ to sign former Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot, according to reports in Italy.

The France international is now a free agent after leaving the Old Lady upon the expiration of his contract at the end of June, and multiple top European clubs are interested in signing him.

Manchester United have been linked with a move for Rabiot for several seasons, but the Red Devils are trailing Arsenal in the race to sign him this summer, as per Gazzetta dello Sport.

The Italian outlet claims that Mikel Arteta’s side are one of three frontrunners in the race to sign Rabiot, along with LaLiga pair Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.

READ MORE: Arsenal Transfer News LIVE

Current ETV

Adrien Rabiot

M (C)

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Adrien Rabiot

M (C)

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ETV Range

€20.8M - €34.6M

Mikel Merino “really close”

Arsenal are on the verge of finalising a deal for Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino.

That is according to Fabrizio Romano, who told CaughtOffside: “Let me say that Arsenal are really closing in on the deal for Mikel Merino and let me clarify that the package is going to be something around €30m.

“We’ll understand the structure of the deal in the next [few] days, but the agreement between Arsenal and Real Sociedad is really, really close. Everything is proceeding to the final stages.”

Mikel Arteta on Riccardo Calafiori

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta believes the club “should be really proud” of the signing of Riccardo Calafiori.

The 22-year-old was heavily linked with both Juventus and Chelsea earlier this summer, but he opted to join the north London side for €45 million instead.

Speaking while on Arsenal’s pre-season tour of the USA, Arteta admitted: “I spoke to him one or two times and I knew the other things [teams being interested].

“I wasn’t really sure if we could do it or not, but he was adamant: ‘Let me know when you’re ready, my bags are ready and I just want to come to Arsenal’.

© IMAGO - Riccardo Calafiori has joined Arsenal

“Those were his words and when you have that feeling, someone with that willingness to join us and make us better and that determination, it’s something really powerful and as a club, we should be really proud of that.”