Arsenal Transfer News Today: Calafiori on the BRINK, Guehi PLAN, Jesus NOT FOR SALE, Chelsea HIJACK

Robin Bairner

22 Jul 2024 19:14 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 Stadium, including Riccardo Calafiori and Marc Guehi as well as a potential hijack from Chelsea.

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Calafiori dropped by Bologna for pre-season training camp

Arsenal have received the biggest indication yet that Riccardo Calafiori is on his way to the Emirates Stadium, with the Italy international defender being left out of Bologna’s squad for pre-season training.

Previously, Fabrizio Romano had confirmed that a deal is close to being struck, with the issue out of Arsenal’s hands.

READ MORE: Latest Arsenal transfer rumours

“As soon as Bologna and Basel agree on the sell-on clause structure, I will be able to tell you here we go! It could be at any moment. Arsenal are waiting, they’ve got the agreement with the player and Bologna, so they’re working on the final steps,” he confirmed.

Meanwhile, Calafiori’s transfer case could end up in court because of a dispute between FC Basel and Roma.

Current ETV

R. Calafiori

D (CL)

Bologna

R. Calafiori

D (CL)

Bologna

ETV Range

€12.9M - €21.5M

Bonucci ‘sorry’ to see Calafiori make Arsenal move

Italy legend Leonardo Bonucci admits that he is disappointed to see Calafiori snubbing Juventus to move to Arsenal.

“Calafiori? I'm sorry about his transfer. I would have liked to see him at Juventus,” he told Sky Sport Italia.

“He's a defender who's a little different to what we're used to seeing. He plays, has personality and fits in. We're exporting' a great player who will be a point of reference for the national team for the next 15 years.”

Jesus going nowhere

Club sources have told FootballTransfers that Gabriel Jesus has returned from his summer break 'fitter than ever' after crunch talks with Mikel Arteta and Edu over his repeated injury problems.

Despite fresh Saudi links, Arsenal's stance remains that the Brazilian is not for sale, especially in light of his evident commitment to the cause.

Arsenal’s plan to beat Liverpool to Guehi

Arsenal are ready to use Eddie Nketiah as their secret weapon to beat Liverpool to the signing of Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi, according to Sunday Sport (via Metro).

Palace want around £70m for the England international, who impressed at Euro 2024, but the Gunners are seeking a discount on this price by throwing Nketiah into the deal.

The striker was peripheral to Mikel Arteta’s plans last summer and is someone they would willingly sacrifice to bolster their central defensive options.

Current ETV

Marc Guéhi

D (C)

C. Palace

Marc Guéhi

D (C)

C. Palace

ETV Range

€27.4M - €45.7M

Chelsea hijack threat

Arsenal are eyeing Mikel Merino as their second signing of the summer following the completion of the Calafiori deal, according to Sport.

RadioMarca, however, indicates that Chelsea are pushing to sign the Real Sociedad star.

Merino would slot into a defensive midfield role, which is a position that Arsenal have been known to be targeting this summer, although Martin Zubimendi has been widely seen as the priority for that role.

Current ETV

Mikel Merino

M (C)

Real Sociedad

Mikel Merino

M (C)

Real Sociedad

ETV Range

€15.9M - €26.5M

Smith Rowe travels for US tour

Emile Smith Rowe has been linked to a number of Premier League clubs after growing frustrated with his lack of playing time at Arsenal last season.

However, the young playmaker has travelled with the Gunners on their pre-season tour of the USA.

Fulham are still expected to return with an improved bid after having one offer knocked back.

Our stateside Gunners 🤩 pic.twitter.com/nxbajTz3M2
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 21, 2024

Man Utd to land Arsenal academy star

Romano says the Red Devils are close to securing a deal for Arsenal’s youth star Chido Obi-Martin in what would be considered a major coup.

“Man Utd are very confident on Chido Obi-Martin. They’re convinced they can make it happen,” he says.

“Chido will decide soon. It’s a matter of hours. He’s visited clubs in England and Germany. He rejected a contract at Arsenal, which was a big contract in terms of money. Now Man Utd are pushing for him and want to make it happen.”