Arsenal ‘must sign Umtiti to get Depay’, Gabriel Jesus transfer EXCLUSIVE, new kit LAUNCHED – latest updates
ARSENAL have made an enquiry to sign Barcelona forward Memphis Depay this summer, according to reports.
The Dutchman could be the perfect replacement for Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette who are both set to leave the club in June.
But Barcelona are reportedly insisting the Gunners also sign France World Cup winner Samuel Umtiti as part of the deal.
Reports in Spain says Umtiti is looking for a coach who could offer him minutes and their confidence, with Mikel Arteta being seen as fitting the bill perfectly..
And Gabriel Jesus could still be open to a move to North London despite the club set to miss out on Champions League football.
In the midfield, the Gunners could be ready to sign Jesus' Man City team-mate Ilkay Gundogan.
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Keep up to date with all of the latest updates from the Emirates in our live blog...
Gunners set for Mav windfall
Arsenal are set to make a small profit from on-loan defender Konstantinos Mavropanos after Stuttgart avoided relegation in the Bundesliga.
The Germans had an obligation to buy the 24-year-old if they stayed in the top-flight, which they did courtesy of a dramatic stoppage time winner on Saturday.
Mavropanos has spent the last two years with Stuttgart on a loan deal, making 54 appearances for the club.
And while there was an obligation to buy the defender if they stayed up, The Athletic claim Stuttgart had told Arsenal they wished to sign him regardless of whether they survived the drop.
The Gunners will receive £3million for the centre-back, plus another £1.5m in bonuses.
It means Arsenal will earn just under £3m in profit on a player they signed for £1.8m in January 2018 from Greek side PAS Giannina.
Arteta in for Barca's Umtiti
Mikel Arteta remains interested in bringing Samuel Umtiti to Arsenal after it emerged that Barcelona were willing to sell the defender.
that the Arsenal boss is considering a swoop for the 28-year-old this summer despite missing out on a loan move for the player back in January.
The French international is supposedly surplus to requirements at the Nou Camp, and has now been told he can leave the LaLiga giants.
The news comes in the same week that Gunners centre-back Gabriel was linked with a transfer to Juventus.
Should the Brazilian exit the Emirates, Arteta may well decide to replace him with the experienced Umtiti.
However, many Arsenal supporters are hoping to see William Saliba in the first team next season after the 21-year-old's successful season on loan at Marseille.
Good morning Arsenal fans
Gary Neville has branded Granit Xhaka a “disgrace” after the Arsenal star blamed teammates for their defeat at Newcastle.
Neville said: “I think I heard him say, ‘Stay at home if you haven’t got the balls’. So he’s obviously having a go at people in his dressing room.
“I don’t know who he’s having a go at, I hope he wasn’t having a go at the younger players…him?
“I tell you what he’s been a disgrace at times over the last four or five years, getting sent off recklessly. He’s left it up in the air there, that was nothing there.”
Meanwhile, Gabriel Jesus’ agents are in “no hurry” to sort the player’s future after Arsenal’s Monday night collapse.
SunSport understands Jesus’ agents are not going to rush into a decision and are keen for their player to end on a high with Man City before deciding on his next move.
It has also been made clear to SunSport by Jesus’ team that although the Champions League is a major attraction, they have not completely ruled out a move to the Emirates.
Elsewhere, Arsenal are keen on a £21million deal for Bologna defender Aaron Hickey.
But they face competition from Newcastle and Napoli.
However, the Mail claims Brentford are leading the race for the Scot, who wants regular minutes should he make a move.
Finally, Mikel Arteta will have the support of Arsenal’s board irrespective of how Arsenal’s season finishes.
The Gunners’ Champions League hopes hang by a thread after they lost to Newcastle.
But Arteta will be handed a huge cheque to spend even if the Gunners don’t qualify for the elite European competition, according to The Telegraph.
Arteta's war chest
Mikel Arteta will have the support of Arsenal's board irrespective of how Arsenal's season finishes.
The Gunners' Champions League hopes hang by a thread after they lost to Newcastle.
But Arteta will be handed a huge cheque to spend even if the Gunners don't qualify for the elite European competition, according to The Telegraph.
Merson's verdict on Iwobi
Paul Merson isn't impressed by Arsenal ace Alex Iwobi.
Merson told Sky Sports: "I’m not his biggest fan, if I am being honest. I think he flatters to deceive.
"But I think he has turned up. He has done well and worked from a base. And his work for the team.
“What he does well is he takes the team up the pitch. When you are in a team that aren’t great, Iwobi will get you up the pitch.
“He should get more goals. And he should get more assists.”
Champions League hopes over
Arsenal won’t be in the Champions League next season as Spurs will take the final European spot, according to Jamie Carragher.
He said: “Spurs aren’t losing from that position, they’ll know right now, the players sat on the pitch, the scenes, the fans in the away end, there isn’t anybody in world football who believes Arsenal will have Champions League football next season.
"Absolutely no chance.”
Player of the Year list thoughts
Rio Ferdinand thinks Cristiano Ronaldo should be on the Player of the Year list ahead of Bukayo Saka.
Speaking on the list. Ferdinand fumed: "Saka’s in the Player of the Year nominees?.
"I wouldn’t have had Saka in there yet, as well as he’s done.
"I wouldn’t have had him over Ronaldo, no, not this season. Ronaldo should be in ahead of three of four of those guys in there.
"‘He probably doesn’t win it but in terms of nominees, it’s laughable. He’ll take it as a disrespect but these are the things that fuel him, he’ll be thinking, 'how dare you?'"
Arsenal set for small windfall
Arsenal are set to make a small profit from on-loan defender Konstantinos Mavropanos after Stuttgart avoided relegation in the Bundesliga.
The Germans had an obligation to buy the 24-year-old if they stayed in the top-flight, which they did courtesy of a 92nd minute winner on Saturday.
Mavropanos has spent the last two-years with Stuttgart on a loan deal, making 54 appearances for the club.
And while there was an obligation to buy the defender if they stayed up, claim Stuttgart had told Arsenal they wished to sign him regardless of whether they survived the drop.
The Gunners will receive £3million for the centre-back, plus another £1.5m in bonuses.
It means Arsenal will earn just under £3m in profit on a player they signed for £1.8m in January 2018 from Greek side PAS Giannina.
Shearer goads Ian Wright
Alan Shearer couldn't resist goading Ian Wright after Arsenal lost to Newcastle.
After the game, the Toon legend said to Wright: "Do you want a hug? Do you want a hug? Do you want a cuddle?"
Wright didn't seem to be amused and replied: "No. Why are you being so..."
But before Wright could finish, Shearer interjected: 'I'm not. I love you really."
Spurs keeper on Arsenal loss
Tottenham star Hugo Lloris revealed that Spurs were watching Arsenal's loss to Newcastle intently.
But he claimed the result wouldn't affect the LilyWhites' preparation for their final game of the season against Norwich.
Lloris said before the Arsenal game yesterday: “We’re going to have a look on Monday night, obviously, but that won’t change the way we’re going to prepare for our game at Norwich.
"We must be ready to take an opportunity. That was the message today.”
Shearer on Arsenal's gameplan
Alan Shearer was miffed by Arsenal's gameplan against Newcastle that resulted in a 2-0 loss for the Gunners.
He said to Premier League Productions: "I think what surprised me with the Arsenal team was on the back of such a poor performance against Tottenham, and what you want and need is a game straight away to say okay we need to get that one out of our system.
"Now we all knew what the atmosphere was going to be like at St. James Park tonight.
"So those players should have known and Mikel Arteta will have known, so I was really surprised to see that it almost caught them by surprise."
Gabriel Jesus transfer latest
Gabriel Jesus agents are in “no hurry” to sort the player’s future after Arsenal’s Monday night collapse.
Arsenal were seen as favourites to snap up the 25-year-old – who only has one year left on his current deal – having already initiated positive talks for a £40m-£50m move.
But SunSport understands Jesus’ agents are not going to rush into a decision and are keen for their player to end on a high with City before deciding on his next move.
Jesus’ agents have already admitted to being fans of the project Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has built, as well as suggesting the Premier League is the “NBA of football”.
Trippier has cheeky Arsenal pop
Ex-Spurs star Kieran Trippier had a cheeky pop at Arsenal after they slipped in the race for a top-four Prem finish.
The right-back posted an Instagram message to Tottenham fans after his current side Newcastle beat the Gunners on Monday.
Trippier was an unused sub but that did not stop him enjoying the result with fans at Tottenham, where he played between 2015-2019.
The England star, 31, posted an image of himself on the touchline, and added a message which said: "Excellent by the lads tonight, once again showing what we are capable of at Newcastle.
"I hope you enjoyed that one tonight Spurs fans 😂."
Newcastle fans taunt Arsenal
Newcastle taunted Arsenal as their team delivered a near-fatal blow to the Gunners' Champions League hopes.
As their side dominated the Gunners, fans chanted: "Champions League, you're having a laugh."
They repeated the taunt over and over again.
United fans beg for Nkunku
Man United fans have begged the Red Devils to sign RB Leipzig star Christopher Nkunku after he was named Bundesliga’s Player of the Season.
Nkunku’s impact has wowed United’s faithful who flocked to Twitter to voice their desire for him to be in a Red Devils shirt next season.
One fan reckoned Nkunku’s switch to United is a foregone conclusion and : “United player soon.”
United have had an indifferent season and currently languish in sixth spot in the Premier League with just one game left to play.
And one supporter who believes Nkunku will provide a solution to the club’s problems next season, : “@ManUtd here is our man.”
While a third Red Devils loyalist : “Think he’d be perfect for us.”
Arsenal have also been linked with the midfield star.
Arsenal face Hickey transfer competition
Arsenal are keen on a £21million deal for Bologna defender Aaron Hickey.
But they face competition from Newcastle and Napoli.
However, the Mail claims Brentford are leading the race for the Scot, who wants regular minutes should he make a move.
Jesus taking time over move
Gabriel Jesus’ agents are in “no hurry” to sort the player’s future after Arsenal’s Monday night collapse.
SunSport understands Jesus’ agents are not going to rush into a decision and are keen for their player to end on a high with Man City before deciding on his next move.
It has also been made clear to SunSport by Jesus’ team that although the Champions League is a major attraction, they have not completely ruled out a move to the Emirates.
Van Persie Jr signs deal
Robin van Persie's son Shaqueel could follow the striker's footsteps to Arsenal or Manchester United - after signing a first contract with Feyenoord.
Shaqueel said: "I've been at Feyenoord since I was ten, so this is a special day. The club is like a second home for me.
"The fans and the stadium are great. My dream is to eventually play at De Kuip, and to be a success."
Feyenoord academy head Rini Coolen added: "We as a club are very pleased with Shaqueel's development.
"He is strong with an outstanding winner's mentality, scores goals for fun and shows his leadership qualities. Signing his first professional contract is a fitting reward for him."
Neville slams Xhaka over criticism
Gary Neville has branded Granit Xhaka a “disgrace” after the Arsenal star blamed teammates for their defeat at Newcastle.
Neville said: "I think I heard him say, ‘Stay at home if you haven’t got the balls'. So he’s obviously having a go at people in his dressing room.
“I don’t know who he’s having a go at, I hope he wasn’t having a go at the younger players…him?
"I tell you what he's been a disgrace at times over the last four or five years, getting sent off recklessly. He’s left it up in the air there, that was nothing there.”
Arsenal’s defeat to Newcastle uncovered
Arsenal were dominated at St James’ Park as their top four hopes went up in smoke.
Desperate Mikel Arteta watched on helplessly as his game-plan was undone.
But what exactly went wrong with Arsenal’s tactics on the night?
Arsenal transfer hopes take hit
Arsenal’s Champions League dream is in chaos after a 2-0 defeat at Newcastle.
Spurs are now in pole position to secure fourth spot.
And Arsenal could miss out on a host of top signings as a result.
Prem Teams of the Year
Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher have revealed their Premier League Teams of the Year.
Unsurprisingly, the XIs are dominated by Man City and Liverpool players.
But there isn’t one single Arsenal player in the entire side.
Did Bukayo Saka or Martin Odegaard deserve a look-in?
Carragher doubts Arsenal’s elite credentials
Jamie Carragher admits he worries about Arsenal and Mikel Arteta’s future.
He said: "I thought they were awful. I think [Europa League] is a huge problem for Mikel Arteta and this Arsenal team going forward.
“I think they have had their opportunity this season - a big one - having no European football. That was a big advantage for them.
"I think it is going to be tough for him. I think this will be a game that will be looked back on when he eventually leaves the club.
"I really fear for him next season and if Arsenal are seventh or eighth at Christmas time with them in the Europa League there is going to massive pressure on his job."
Xhaka tears into Arsenal flop
Granit Xhaka delivered a scathing verdict of Arsenal’s top four collapse at Newcastle.
He moaned: “From the first minute to the 90th we didn’t deserve to be on the pitch.
“With a performance like that you don’t deserve to play Champions League or Europa League.
“I don’t know why we aren’t doing what the coach is asking. If someone isn’t ready then stay at home.
“If you’re nervous and not ready, stay on the bench and don’t come here. It was not acceptable.
“Everything was in our hands - it’s a totally different game now.”
Tomiyasu faces fresh injury hell
Arsenal are sweating over the fitness of Japanese right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu.
The defender was forced off injured during last night’s 2-0 defeat at Newcastle.
Tomiyasu had only just returned to the side after a lengthy absence.
And he is likely to miss the season’s final game against Everton.
