Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta could sign a once-£137 million forward for Mikel Arteta this summer, with talks recently held and a weekend twist boosting the possibility of a potential switch to north London.
Arsenal endure regrettable week after PSG and Bournemouth defeats
Wednesday's all-important semi-final second leg against PSG in the Champions League will define Arteta's campaign, but Arsenal haven't exactly warmed up for it in the desired fashion.
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The Gunners have conducted extensive background work on a forward, who may now be leaning towards a move to north London.
Their narrow first-leg defeat to the Ligue 1 champions last week was followed up by a surprise 2-1 loss at home to Andoni Iraola's Bournemouth, with goals from rumoured Arsenal target Dean Huijsen and Brazilian striker Evanilson cancelling out Declan Rice's early opener.
The hosts had numerous chances to extend their lead and put the game out of sight, but Arteta's side were ultimately wasteful and allowed Bournemouth to rescue three points in dramatic style.
Arsenal's final Premier League games Date
Liverpool (away) May 11th
Newcastle United (home) May 18th
Southampton (away) May 25th
"We started and we did the most difficult one to score the goal," said Arteta on Arsenal's 2-1 loss to Bournemouth.
"I think after that we had four or five very open situations to score the second one. We didn't kill it and after that, on top of that, you defend the box really poorly, the way we've done it in the two set-pieces that we have conceded again. So they're going to punish you and a team like Bournemouth, they're going to punish you. And after that the game becomes rushed, very chaotic. That's why they want big spaces. They have more legs than us, especially with sets and plays that were struggling in the final minutes. And we weren't able to get the result that we wanted, so we're very disappointed."
The manager will be hoping for much more inspired finishing against a high-flying PSG side, as Arsenal look to claw back their hopes of winning a first ever Champions League title and ending their season on a high.
Berta, meanwhile, is already preparing for his debut summer window as the club's head transfer chief.
Arsenal could still sign Leroy Sane after contract twist
The Italian and Arsenal's recruitment team have been looking at signing Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sane, with his contract due to expire this summer as things stand.
The 29-year-old, who was once valued at £137 million during his time at Man City, was thought to be closing in on a new deal at the Allianz Arena, despite Arsenal recently holding talks with Sane in April.
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That was according to Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg, who has now shared another fresh update on his situation in what could be considered a boost for Arsenal.
Plettenberg writes that Sane's old team were very close to finalising fresh terms to stay at Bayern, but in a late twist, the winger informed their sporting director, Max Eberl, that he's now changed representatives.
The German has employed super-agent Pini Zahavi, and Sane informed Eberl of this on Sunday night. This has thrown a spanner in the works, as it is "questionable" that Bayern would agree to any new terms proposed by Zahavi at this stage.
Plettenberg adds that Arsenal are still contending for Sane in the background, so the prospect of a switch to the Emirates remains very much alive.
Since joining the Bavarians, Sane has bagged 61 goals and 54 assists in all competitions, so his quality is in no doubt, but Arsenal won't be keen on paying his £245,000-per-week wages.