ARSENAL are looking ahead to what is expected to be a HUGE summer transfer window for the club - and finally have a new sporting director in place!
A new striker is at the very top of the transfer wishlist - and they have now reportedly narrowed it down to four names.
Andrea Berta has now started in his new role and has narrowed down his list of potential candidates.
Sporting superstar Viktor Gyokeres is the latest name to be added to that Arsenal striker shortlist.
Newcastle's Alexander Isak has been a longer-term target, but it has been reported that the Swede's preferred next club would be Liverpool.
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Follow ALL of the latest news, rumours and transfer updates from the Emirates below...
Arsenal 'in talks' with Liam Delap
The young English striker could be ready to leave Ipswich in the summer.
Delap has no doubt taken to the Premier League well, scoring 10 goals in 28 matches for a struggling Ipswich side.
The former Manchester City academy graduate could join the likes of Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers in a list of players the Citizens regret letting go.
Delap is one of a number of options on the list for Arsenal, with Alexander Isak, Benjamin Sesko, Viktor Gyokeres, Ollie Watkins and Diogo Jota all among the names linked to The Emirates.
The Ipswich man may offer a slight financial advantage, with his signature potentially available at a cut price if Kieran McKenna's side face the drop come May.
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A first north London derby outside the UK
Arsenal and Spurs will meet in pre-season.
But, the sides will make history, as it is the first time they will play OUTSIDE of the UK.
In July, the sides will play at the 50,000-seater Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong.
The fixture is scheduled to take place on July 31.
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Arsenal keen on Gyokeres
Andrea Berta is a long-time admirer of Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres.
According to reports from David Ornstein, the Gunners are interested in bringing him to The Emirates in the summer.
The striker has long been linked with a return to former boss Ruben Amorim at Manchester United.
Sporting CP may look to offload Gyokeres for the right price this summer, with a lot of interest around Europe.
Arsenal are also looking at Alexander Isak, but a move for him may be tough with Newcastle's success this season.
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Law of averages
Sticking with the stats ahead of tomorrow's London derby with Fulham, here is how Arsenal shape up this season.
It looks as though Mikel Arteta will have to settle for second place in the Premier League for a third year running - this time to Liverpool.
But will they have regrets over these figures?
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Stat attack
Kai Havertz remains Arsenal's top scorer this season despite being sidelined for the rest of the campaign.
And long-term absentee Bukayo Saka has still provided the most assists for the Gunners in the Premier League this season.
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Four-midable list
Arsenal are eyeing up Eintracht Frankfurt hitman Hugo Ekitike as an alternative to £150m-rated Newcastle star Alexander Isak.
The Swede, 25, remains contracted to Newcastle until 2028 with no release clause in his current deal.
But the Toon have no intention of selling Isak and want to build a team around him.
Ekitike has caught the eye of a number of Prem clubs, with the Gunners at the head of the queue.
Frankfurt are expected to demand around £60m for the striker, who boasts 19 goals this season.
The Gunners have also been linked with Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig and Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres.
Slovenian international Sesko has a £59m release clause in his contract, while Gyokeres remains one of Europe's hottest properties.
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Gunner go big
New sporting director Andrea Berta has compiled a four-man striker wishlist ahead of a huge summer rebuild.
The former Atletico Madrid chief will help bring "major trophies" to the Emirates.
Berta, 53, replaces Edu following his resignation last November.
He is expected to attend the Gunners’ Premier League clash at home to Fulham on Tuesday.
The Italian, who left his role at Atletico in January, will be tasked with bringing in an elite No 9.
There's a crucial summer ahead for Mikel Arteta’s men as Arsenal try to win a first Prem title since 2003-04.
But who is on the shortlist?
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Return to action
After what seems an eternity, Arsenal will be back in action on Tuesday night.
They host Fulham, who will want to get back to winning ways after seeing their FA Cup dreams go up in smoke.
It is then Everton away before Real Madrid head to the Emirates...
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Not very Keane
Pundit pals Roy Keane and Ian Wright were on top form at Bournemouth earlier on.
And Keane delivered a brilliant side-eye and shake of the head towards the Arsenal hero.
The former United captain was giving his thoughts on the game for ITV during the warm-ups on the South Coast.
The 53-year-old was in full flow as colleague Wrighty spotted a ball rolling towards the panel.
Wright rushed over to kick it back, only to give Keane a sharp nudge from behind in the process.
Keane shot Wright a long stare as the ex-England striker burst into hysterical laughter.
The Irishman composed himself and joked: "He's done my ankle!"
A laughing Wrighty hit back: "You didn't even flinch!"
Credit: ITV
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Could be Cunh-ing to Arsenal?
Could Andrea Berta's first signing as Arsenal sporting director be Matheus Cunha?
The Gunners are among a host of clubs interested in the Wolves forward, who signed a new four-and-a-half-year contract last month to protect his £62.5m release clause.
But Cunha has now gone on the record to say he wants to leave for a new challenge.
Cunha told the Guardian: "I had a lot of offers (to leave in January) but I wouldn't feel well if I had done it.
"Some things you can't control but I couldn't leave the club in the middle of the season, in a difficult situation, in the relegation zone.
"Now, we're close to achieving our goal [of staying up].
"But I've made it clear that I need to take the next step. I want to fight for titles, for big things. I have potential."
Credit: Reuters
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Wonder Women
Arsenal Women produced a 3-0 win that will be remembered for many years to dump Real Madrid out of the Women's Champions League on Wednesday.
They went one better today, stuffing Crystal Palace 4-0.
Alessia Russo and an Allyson Swaby own goal were sandwiched by Beth Mead's double.
Credit: Reuters
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Remembering Campbell
Arsenal head to Everton next Saturday for the lunchtime kick-off.
And Toffees fans are planning a tribute to Kevin Campbell in the ninth minute as two of his former sides mark the final clash between the pair at Goodison Park.
Supporters are being encouraged to chant "Super Kevin Campbell" in unison in what will be a classy gesture for the former striker who died last June.
Credit: PA
Credit: Getty
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'Cauldron of fire'
But Arsenal fans delighted in seeing his aggressive side.
One wrote on X: "Finally we have a fighter like Arteta in key decision making position."
A second said: "Berta doesn’t seat in the director’s box, he sits in the technical area. Love it! 😂😂."
A third added: "I love this. No nonsense. Arsenal through and through."
Another replied: "This is exactly what we need. The Emirates must be a cauldron of fire for opposing teams."
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Berta the battler
Berta has proven he is a tough negotiator.
But he has also proven he is tough, full stop.
Back in 2022, Berta got into a pitchside scrap with Man City doctor Max Sala after the ill-tempered Champions League quarter-final.
The fiery Italian shoved Sala in the face as tensions boiled over.
Credit: X
Credit: X
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Some good, some could be Berta
Here are some of the biggest and best deals Andrea Berta has overseen in the past.
And it is clear to see some have been really successful, others less so...
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Berta hailed by Kroenke
Gunners co-owner Josh Kroenke has heaped praise on incoming Sporting Director Andrea Berta.
He said: “Anyone who knows football knows Andrea is an impressive figure. He has vast knowledge of the game, a great track record, a strong network and an insatiable desire to build winning teams.
“Andrea will be a great addition to our club.
"He understands our values and what we stand for and we have no doubt he will help us push on and take the next steps in our bid to win major trophies.
“We undertook a thorough recruitment process and we were hugely impressed with the level of all the other candidates, but it was Andrea’s experience and the success he has enjoyed that stood out.
“We are really looking forward to working together and welcoming him into the Arsenal family.”
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Berta background
Arsenal fans have been crying out for an experienced, ready-made figure to lead the club to major trophies and continental domination.
That elite striker still eludes them, but for now, they have the next best thing: a man with a proven record of getting those sorts of players through the door for instant success.
Meet Andrea Berta - the 53-year-old Italian businessman turned transfer guru who has been tasked with just that in his new role of sporting director at the Emirates.
He has big shoes to fill. His predecessor Edu worked tirelessly with manager Mikel Arteta to transform the Gunners into Prem title challengers through astute recruitment during his two-year spell in the role, having initially arrived as technical director in July 2019.
The next step is clear: to build on that progress and deliver the Holy Grail of English football back to North London, ending their 21-year wait for a league title.
And in Berta, Arsenal have - on paper - the ideal man for the job.
His 12-year affiliation with Atletico Madrid alongside Diego Simeone was littered with overachievement and success on and off the pitch, his dealings in the transfer market the envy of the European heavyweights, developing a reputation as one of the most football-savy operators on the continent before being appointed sporting director in 2017.
In the eight years that followed, Atletico won La Liga in 2021, as well as the Europa League and Uefa Super Cup in 2018, having also reached two Champions League finals in 2014 and 2016.
During that time, Simeone would often hail Berta as one of his most trusted and influential advisors, inviting him on occasion into the dressing room for big games.
Following three weeks of talks, it was also Berta that convinced Simeone not to leave the club in 2016 after a gut-wrenching Champions League final defeat on penalties to rivals Real Madrid, urging the Argentine to rebuild and go again.
Berta has been around the block to develop that sort of aura, starting in the financial sector for one of Italy’s largest banks, balancing his day job with a passion for football.
Credit: AFP
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New Sporting Director unveiled
Arsenal have unveiled Andrea Berta as their new sporting director.
And the Italian has vowed to “shape a successful future with a great team” at the Gunners.
Berta, 53, replaces former sporting director Edu following his resignation last November, with the Brazilian set to take up a new role in Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis’ multi-club model.
Ahead of a crucial summer for Mikel Arteta’s men, Berta is now tasked with bringing an elite No.9 to the Emirates, as well as negotiating contract renewals for key stars as Arsenal bid to win a first Prem title since 2004.
And Berta - who left a similar post at Atletico Madrid in January - said: “I am thrilled to be joining Arsenal in what is a hugely exciting period for the club.
“I have watched with great interest the way Arsenal has evolved in recent years and I have admired the hard work that has gone into reestablishing the club as a major force in European football with a passionate following around the world.
“The club has great values and a rich history, and I am looking forward to playing my part in shaping a successful future with a great team.
“I cannot wait to get started in my new role and I am really looking forward to experiencing my first game at Emirates Stadium together with our supporters.”
Credit: Getty
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Insider gives Zubimendi update
Arsenal are still on course to sign Martin Zubimendi for Real Sociedad.
That's according to The Athletic's David Ornstein, who said: "Arsenal are expecting Zubimendi to join them from Real Sociedad in the summer.
"I don’t know if that means it is completely done but for some time now they have been working on the basis that he’ll be coming in.
"A huge amount of work went into getting them to that point — while Edu was still sporting director and subsequently when Jason Ayto took over that job on an interim basis."
Credit: Rex
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Cut-price keeper deal eyed
Arsenal will swoop for Joan Garcia if Espanyol drop down to the second division of Spanish football.
Mikel Arteta is an admirer of the 23-year-old, who he views as the perfect back-up for David Raya.
And the Gunners, according to AS, are said to be hoping Espanyol drop down to the Segunda Division as his release clause will reduce.
Credit: Rex
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‘Best opportunities for Obi rest away from Arsenal’ – Cox
Nick Cox, the head of Manchester United’s academy, has talked about how the team managed to stave off fierce domestic and international competition to sign Chido Obi from Arsenal last summer.
Some of the best teams in Europe expressed interest in Obi, but he decided to depart despite Arsenal’s persistent attempts to keep him.
But in the competition to get the sensational goal scorer, United emerged as chosen suitors.
Cox sat down with Manchester Evening News and detailed how the swoop for Obi unfolded.
“Occasionally you get moments like this. Arsenal are a wonderful club. They deliver a great program and develop great players. For one reason or another, and it’s for Chido and his family to know why, they felt the best opportunities for him may rest away from Arsenal.”
“Because he holds a Danish passport, the whole of Europe was open to Chido. We quite simply became aware of the fact that Chido was about to make a move to Europe.
“He’d been to visit a club and identified the club where he was going to potentially end up. We thought if this player is available and is looking to leave, then we should make every effort we possibly can to sign him.”
“We had an opportunity to meet with Chido’s family and the important people to him. We had a number of conversations that allowed us the opportunity to be the club that he chose to join.”
“He’s in a good place at the moment. There have been opportunities to train with the first team and a few opportunities from off the bench. But let’s be honest, there’s been some injuries and some disruption to the squad.
“The art is to just keep regularly reviewing where a player is at. You saw Kobbie [Mainoo] bounce between teams before he finally got in and Alejandro was a little bit the same, so there’s always twists and turns.”
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'Arsenal will invest in the summer' - Keown
Arsenal legend Martin Keown is “sure” which areas the Gunners will improve this summer, and feels that needs to happen as “special players” can “finish things off”.
“Some people are lucky and the road to success is a straight line. Not for this Arsenal group,” Keown told talkSPORT.
“I’ve been in a similar situation. Three years on the bounce we finished behind Manchester United and you have to ask yourself the questions. You have to have a strong group and I think Arsenal have got that. The foundations are there.
“And then of course it’s the calibre of the players. There will be purchases in the summer. But it’s been tricky for the back end of the season where you’ve had four or five strikers that are not available. Then it looks like you should have bought one, which is kind of a hindsight situation.
“But looking back to last year, Arsenal were scoring buckets full of goals. So that seems to be the obvious areas, in the creative wide positions and down the middle, I’m sure that’s where Arsenal will invest in the summer.
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Kudus set to leave Hammers
Kudus, a player who has been linked to a host of teams in the past, is set to leave West Ham United, according to exclusive confirmation from TBR Football.
According to TBR Football, West Ham is already approaching PSR restrictions, thus sales are necessary to generate cash so that Graham Potter and the hiring staff may restructure the team.
According to TBR Football, Kudus is West Ham's most marketable commodity, while the Hammers have stated that Jarrod Bowen, a fellow star, is "unsellable."
One of West Ham's top players, Kudus, was previously considered by Arsenal and will be back in the agenda.
The 24-year-old Ghanaian international also has an £85 million release clause this summer and is open to a move.
Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle United and Aston Villa also held an interest in the attacker.
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City join Arsenal in race for Larsson
According to reports, Manchester City has joined Arsenal and Liverpool in their pursuit of Hugo Larsson, a midfielder for Eintracht Frankfurt.
Journalist Florian Plettenburg claims that the Citizens are currently making an attempt to sign the Sweden international.
Larsson is reportedly amenable to the idea of joining Pep Guardiola's team, and Frankfurt has been informed of their interest.
According to the transfer report, 'early conversations' have been held over a possible agreement to bring Larsson to the Etihad Stadium.
After joining Frankfurt from Swedish team Malmo in the summer of 2023, Larsson is currently in his second season.
Larsson made 21 league starts in his first season and has now equalled that total in his 25 games this season.
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Garcia boost
On the subject of goalkeepers...
If Espanyol gets demoted from Spain's top division this season, Joan Garcia, Arsenal's long-time keeper target, will be available for a discounted price, according to a Spanish newspaper.
Since their alleged approach for the 23-year-old was turned down at the end of the last summer transfer window, Arsenal has been keeping an eye on him. Garcia is reportedly still a top priority for the Gunners, who may finally land him this season.
According to AS, Garcia's release clause will reduce to just €15 million (£12.6 million) if Espanyol escapes La Liga's trap door. Even if the Catalan team escapes relegation, the talented shot-stopper may be acquired for €25 million (£20.9 million).
The newly promoted team is having a difficult season back in La Liga, despite Garcia's best efforts. Espanyol's survival is far from assured as they are now in 15th position, one point above the relegation zone with 11 games left in the season.
Garcia's price tag is reportedly going to increase by €5 million (£4.2 million) if he is called up to the senior Spain national squad, regardless of Espanyol's standing in the top division, according to a separate, independent source.
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