Arsenal are now in pole position to sign a 'superstar' forward ahead of Man United after face-to-face Andrea Berta talks with his camp, according to a new report.
Arsenal preparing for blockbuster North London Derby
Sunday's North London Derby could not arrive at a more uncomfortable moment for Mikel Arteta.
Mikel Arteta manager of Arsenal applauds the fans
Arsenal go to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium tomorrow as Premier League leaders, but the surrounding air smells of uncertainty after a tepid run of form.
Nine points clear just a fortnight ago, the Gunners have since allowed Man City to potentially close the gap to two, depending on the Sky Blues' face-off against Newcastle this evening.
Two successive draws — against Brentford and then a calamitous 2-2 at rock-bottom Wolves, where they led 2-0 going into the final quarter — have rattled supporters and raised uncomfortable questions about Arsenal's ability to see out a title race.
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Tottenham, meanwhile, are a club in freefall of their own.
They arrive for Igor Tudor's debut in charge having gone eight games without a Premier League win, sitting just five points above the drop zone.
Tudor, the former Juventus manager, was handed the reins after Thomas Frank was dismissed earlier this month. With captain Cristian Romero suspended and a lengthy injury list stripping him of several key players, this is as daunting a first assignment as any new manager could inherit.
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That being said, Tudor has won his opening game at each of his last five clubs, and the Tottenham crowd will be desperate to provide a spark.
For Arsenal, three points tomorrow would go a long way to restoring confidence and widening the gap. Anything less and the pressure will really begin to build.
Saka, fresh from signing a new long-term deal and in fine individual form, is expected to lead the line. Leandro Trossard is also set to be available despite fears of concussion protocol, while both Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz could both return as well.
Odegaard-Arsenal
Away from the pitch, the north Londoners stacked their attacking options last summer in a near-£270 million spending spree, but Berta isn't done there and could back Arteta with more firepower next window.
Arsenal in pole position to sign AC Milan star Rafael Leao after Berta talks
According to Football Transfers, Arsenal have already opened dialogue with the representatives of AC Milan winger Rafael Leao, with Berta having held face-to-face talks in what is described as an early but concrete pursuit.
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Leao, 26, has been on Arsenal's radar for years, but the interest has now shifted into a higher gear.
The Portugal international 'superstar', as described by the report, has racked up 11 goal contributions in 20 appearances this season for Milan and remains one of the most explosive wide forwards in European football.
He will enter the final two years of his contract at the San Siro this summer — a fact that has prompted Milan to green-light a sale if the right offer arrives. The figure they are asking for is in the region of £65-70 million.
Football Transfers also report that Man United are firmly in the picture for Leao's signature, though Arsenal are currently leading the race.
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Arteta's side are understood to see him as their top attacking target for the summer, with the left flank identified as an area in need of reinforcement beyond what Martinelli and Trossard can currently provide.
Leao himself has not yet been directly approached about a specific move to Arsenal, but has instructed his camp to engage with the ongoing negotiations — a clear signal of intent from a player who knows his future almost certainly lies elsewhere.
Tomorrow's derby will consume everything. But quietly, Arteta and his backroom team are already building their plans for next season.
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