Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Gunners ‘discuss’ Ruiz, £42m Riccardo Calafiori ‘deal DONE’, Smith Rowe ‘to LEAVE for £37m’

Free agent Sergio on Arsenal radar

Barcelona legend Sergio Roberto is rated a surprise Arsenal target.

Spanish outlet Sport claim the Gunners have made an approach for the midfielder, 32, who is now a free agent.

An agreement to extend the one-club icon's Barca career fell through due to their financial problems.

That means the 11-cap Spaniard is now available for nothing.

Arsenal favourites to sign Gyokeres

Sporting Lisbon are braced for huge bids over Viktor Gyokeres.

And Arsenal are rated as the bookies' favourites to land Sporting Lisbon's Sweden striker.

The Portuguese giants want Gyokeres' £86million release clause.

But it's thought the Gunners are considering a bid closer to £55m-£60m for the 26-year-old.

Chelsea are also regarded as still keen on Gyokeres, who hit 43 goals last season.

The Gunners range from 2-1 to 3-1 in bookmakers' odd to sign him.

Chelsea PSG, and Atletico Madrid next in the running.

Liverpool and Tottenham are also generally at 10-1 or under.

Thiago blow puts Toney exit at risk

EXCLUSIVE: BRENTFORD have been left sweating over Igor Thiago’s knee injury which could complicate plans to sell Ivan Toney, writes TOM BARCLAY.

Striker Thiago, 23, joined for £30million this month from Club Brugge with a view to being Toney’s replacement.

But the record signing hurt his meniscus during the Bees’ 5-2 win over Wimbledon on Saturday, despite scoring twice.

Brazilian Thiago will have further scans next week to determine the extent of the damage.

Meniscus injuries can vary in severity with relatively minor ones leaving a player sidelined for four to eight weeks.

But a bad tear can be four to six months.

Should scans reveal it to be the worst-case scenario, that could have an impact on Toney.

The Three Lions forward, 28, has less than a year left on his Bees contract and would like to leave to play at a higher-profile club.

Brentford were looking to cash in during this window rather than lose him for nothing in June.

Arsenal poach Man City

Mikel Arteta has had no problem poaching players from his former employer Man City and convincing them to jump ship to Arsenal since taking over at the Emirates.

The Gunners boss already convinced Gabriel Jesus and Olkesandr Zinchenko to make the switch and now he is going after City's backroom staff.

According to The Athletic, Man City's elite development squad analyst Darren Rogerson is leaving the Etihad outfit to join the setup at Arsenal.

Rogerson is due to start work in the coming months and is highly thought of in Manchester.

The analyst is said to have been particularly impressive in delveloping relationships with the players.

Calafiori medical

Riccardo Calafiori is set to complete his medical in London ahead of completing his move to Arsenal.

The Bologna defender looks almost certain to join the Gunners in the coming days.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Calafiori will soon travel to London to complete the first part of his medical before heading to the US for final checks.

Arsenal are currently undergoing their pre-season tour of the US.

Calafiori is expected to pen a five-year deal at the Emirates.

Barnes: Calafiori better than Guehi

John Barnes has claimed that Riccardo Calafiori is a better signing for Arsenal than Marc Guehi.

The Gunners are closing in on a deal for Calafiori after being linked with a switch for Guehi, making it unlikely that the North Londoners would sign the Crystal Palace centre-back as well.

But Barnes has suggested that they've chosen a better match for their squad in Calafiori.

Speaking to bonuscodebets.co.uk, he said: "He [Calafiori] can play left-back and I think that Arsenal have really looked in that position and played a few people there.

"But I don’t think they necessarily got someone there that’s reliable.I think that will be a great signing.

"And now they could play three centre backs. So he’s very versatile.

"So, I think that would be probably even a better signing than Marc Guehi if you understand what I mean?”'

Arsenal reject Vieira approaches

Arsenal have reportedly knocked back a number of approaches for Fabio Vieira this summer.

The Portuguese playmaker struggled for minuted under Mikel Arteta last season, but has started the new campaign on a high - scoring a stunner in Arsenal's opening pre-season friendly against Bournemouth.

And according to TBR Football, Vieira will be part of Arteta's plans going forward as they have turned down several approaches for the attacking midfielder.

They report that clubs in Germany, Spain, Italy and Saudi Arabia have all made approaches for Vieira.

Sesko reveals reason for Arsenal snub

Benjamin Sesko has opened up about why he turned down the opportunity to sign for Arsenal this summer.

The RB Leipzig striker was linked with a switch to the Emirates, but ultimately decided to stay with the German club and pen a new deal.

I thought it through very well. I believe I made the right decision. I wanted to gain more experience, learn more, and not rush things.

Leipzig is an excellent club that can provide what I need for the next step. Leipzig’s vision is clear; everything is geared towards growth, progress, and high goals. I felt it was right to decide this way.

I can’t deny such things [the rumours] don’t get into your subconscious, it’s probably quite normal, human.

Still, I remained calm despite everything. I got through that turbulent period and approached the Euros fully focused.

Benjamin SeskoNogomania

White considering England return

Ben White is reportedly considering a shock return to the England national team following Gareth Southgate's departure.

The Arsenal star ruled himself out of selection in March and hasn't featured for the Three Lions since 2022.

But, according to the Daily Star, White is now considering a return to the fold following the departures of Southgate and his assistant Steve Holland. 

BEN YOUR BACK

White 'considering shock England U-turn' after Gareth Southgate stepped down

Nelson updates

Reiss Nelson is one of the Arsenal stars who looks likely to head for the exit doors this summer.

The Gunners winger has been linked with a move to two Premier League rivals.

Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Leicester City are keen to secure a loan for Nelson with an obligation to buy.

The Foxes are understood to be confident of getting a deal over the line with Nelson having worked with new boss Steve Cooper before during his time in the England youth setup.

While other reports have linked the Hale End graduate with a move to London rivals West Ham.

However, it's claimed that the 24-year-old could be too expensive for the Hammers as things stand, although they may revisit the deal in the future.

More from Arteta

Mikel Arteta also had the chance to discuss where he would like to see Arsenal improve and grow next season.

The Gunners boss explained that improvement would be needed in "a lot" of different areas.

He said: "In a lot of [areas], we want to improve in every area in the attacking and defending metrics, restarts, set-pieces with the amount of minutes that we shared around the team.

"I think that’s an area that we can still improve [in], and having a bit more variability and versatility in certain moments with players that we have."

Arteta on exits

Mikel Arteta was quizzed on the future of Hale End duo Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah in the US last night.

The pair have both been linked with an exit from Arsenal this summer and Arteta didn't give fans too much to go off with his update surrounding their futures in north London.

A lot of players have been linked with potential moves; one way or the other, it’s normal. We are in that moment in the market.

What I really like are the players that we have, with the level that they are showing and especially the commitment that you can see in those two, just the way they have performed.

Mikel ArtetaArsenal.com

Arsenal 1-1 Bournemouth

Arsenal's pre-season tour of the US is underway.

The Gunners played their first friendly clash of their all-american tour in the early hours of this morning against fellow Premier League side Bournemouth.

Mikel Arteta's side got some valuable minutes in the tank as they played out a 1-1 draw with the Cherries.

Read our match report below...

ARSENAL 1 B'MOUTH 1

Vieira nets wondergoal as he shines in new role while team-mate to exit