Arsenal transfer round-up: Edu flies out for talks as Gunners learn Kylian Mbappe decision today
Arsenal are pressing on with their move for top target Declan Rice, even as West Ham become frustrated over the slow progress of the deal.
But the Gunners are also working on other potential options as Mikel Arteta bids to reinforce his squad. Arsenal boss Arteta is keen to once again challenge Manchester City for the Premier League title, but he knows he needs recruits in several areas.
While his squad are in Germany for a training camp, sporting director Edu is travelling the globe to get deals done. Here, Mirror Football rounds up all the latest Arsenal transfer rumours.
Edu jets out for Bitello talks
Arsenal sporting director Edu is pushing to sign Brazilian star Bitello, jetting out to South America for transfer talks with his club Gremio. The 23-year-old has starred in Brazil’s Serie A, with the Gunners keen to add him to their Brazilian contingent.
According to Correio do Povo, Arsenal have sent representatives to Porto Alegre to make an official bid for the midfielder. That offer is expected to be received in the coming days, with the Gunners’ representatives set to take in Gremio’s clash with Bahia in the Copa do Brasil.
It is expected that Arsenal’s bid will match Gremio’s asking price, with the Brazilian club keen to bring in funds for their own transfer plans. Arsenal will hope to wrap up a deal quickly, if they do submit an offer.
Arsenal have been warned that Kai Havertz has still not proved himself to be a difference maker in the Premier League. The Gunners have made Havertz their highest-paid player after buying him from Chelsea.
The German struggled for form at Stamford Bridge after arriving from Bayer Leverkusen in 2020. And Premier League icon Harry Redknapp has now sent a warning to Gunners boss Mikel Arteta.
He told talkSPORT: “I think he’ll (Rice) be a great signing for them. I think they’ve made a couple – him and Havertz. We haven’t seen the best of him. He’s got to be better than what he has shown at Chelsea. I think they are two big signings for Arsenal.”
The Gunners had surprisingly been floated as a possible destination for the France captain. But former Aston Villa star Alan Hutton believes they have no hope of signing the World Cup winner.
He told Football Insider: “It’s nothing against Arsenal , but it is well known that Madrid is the club he wants to be at. I can’t see it being Arsenal, and that is not a downside for them, Mbappe is still 24, so if there is anyone you can imagine in a Real Madrid strip, it would be him.”
