Transfer News: Arsenal near impressive double swoop as Arteta finds upgrades; second Atletico star eyes Man Utd move

Arsenal are readying a double deal that will not cost the earth and give Mikel Arteta two decent player upgrades, Liverpool have missed out on a top midfield target, Atletico Madrid star is open to a move to Manchester United.

• Manchester City are considering a move for Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos on a two-year contract, according to reports.
• Australian Jarred Gillett is among five EFL referees being interviewed for promotion to the Premier League this summer.
• AC Milan are closing in on signing Fikayo Tomori on a permanent deal from Chelsea following his impressive loan spell at the club, according to reports.
• Jose Mourinho is set to extend an olive branch to Henrikh Mkhitaryan by offering him a new deal to extend his stay at Roma.
• Gareth Southgate will shatter the dreams of seven Euro hopefuls on Tuesday with Trent Alexander-Arnold among those in danger of the axe.
• A swap shop summer is on the cards, with a number of Premier League clubs seeking alternative ways of freshening up their squads amid a backdrop of financial uncertainty.
• Wolves winger Adama Traore has reportedly emerged as a target for Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel following the club’s Champions League success.
• Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham return is in doubt after PSG declared themselves ‘very happy’ with the Argentine.
• Tammy Abraham is ‘resigned’ to leaving Chelsea this summer, with Leicester and West Ham reportedly interested.
• Southampton are set to launch a £15m bid for Blackburn hotshot Adam Armstrong after his brilliant 2020-21 campaign for Tony Mowbray’s charges.
• Manchester City are offering Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus to Tottenham in a bid to land Harry Kane.
• Liverpool have offered midfield star Naby Keita to Atletico Madrid, according to reports.
• Tottenham are interested in signing Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger, according to reports.
• AC Milan are hoping to seal a permanent deal for Chelsea forward Olivier Giroud.
• Arsenal have been forced to scrap plans to sign Brentford goalkeeper David Raya.
• Gareth Southgate admits he did not want the England job – because of the pressure of picking squads.
• Eden Hazard has ruled out a sensational return to Chelsea.
• Sergio Aguero has said that he would be “very proud” to play with Lionel Messi at Barcelona, expressing confidence that his Argentina team-mate will remain at the club.
• Manchester United youngster Hannibal Mejbri received an eye-catching unveiling following his first international call-up for Tunisia.
• Harry Kane would not be convinced to remain at Tottenham Hotspur this summer even if attempts to reappoint Mauricio Pochettino as manager are successful.
• Gareth Southgate will today dash the European Championship ambitions of seven players, with the Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse among those set to be omitted from England’s final 26-man squad.
• Celtic are plotting a swoop to snatch Shaun Maloney from Belgium after this summer’s Euros as part of the rebuild which will be fronted up by Aussie boss Ange Postecoglou.
• Steve Clarke is in the frame for a new Scotland contract as SFA boss Ian Maxwell insists talks will take place soon.
• Youssouf Mulumbu last night opened his heart on his decision to walk out on Kilmarnock days before their play-off relegation – and claimed Tommy Wright threw him under the bus.
• Ange Postecoglou is closing in on the Celtic job – with the club holding no fears over his coaching qualifications.

Lokonga, Calhanoglu tipped for Arsenal 

Arsenal have been given the green light to sign Anderlecht midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga this summer.

The 21-year-old midfielder has risen through the ranks at the Belgian club and is one of his nation’s outstanding young talents.

Lokonga has just been called into the senior Belgium squad, though is on their standby list for Euro 2020.

A tigerish midfielder, he has been valued at around €15m – €20m by Anderlecht, according to Het Nieuwsblad.

His deal runs until 2023 and appears unlikely to sign an extension.

And with his profile rising, Anderlecht see this summer as the perfect chance to cash in.

The Gunners have tracked his progress for some time and are now intensfying their hunt. The asking price is not likely to dissuade them either.

Indeed, Mikel Arteta wants to sign Lokonga and cash in on Granit Xhaka. The Swiss midfielder is a target for Roma.

And if Lokonga proves to be as good as expected, that would represent a bargain signing for Arsenal.

The Gunners are also being tipped to sign Hakan Calhanoglu on a free transfer.

The Turkish playmaker will depart AC Milan this summer after failing to agree terms on a new deal, reports Tuttosport.

And it seems Arteta sees the 27-year-old as an obvious replacement for Martin Odegaard, who will return to Real Madrid.

The Gunners can sign him, but the €60m asking fee is too steep.

Odegaard claimed one goal and two assists from his 14 Premier League appearances with Arsenal.

But Calhanoglu’s stats are stronger. He scored four goals and assisted nine more from 33 appearances in Serie A.

Manchester United are also reportedly keen on Calhanoglu.

Jan Oblak open to Man Utd move

Jan Oblak insists he’s happy at Atletico Madrid but refuses to rule out an exit amid links to Manchester United. (Marca)

Liverpool target Florian Neuhaus has agreed to join Bayern Munich for €40m in summer 2022. (Bild)

Tottenham have rejected a €15m bid from Ajax for Steven Bergwijn, with Daniel Levy holding out for €25m. (De Telegraaf)

Thomas Tuchel is pushing Chelsea hard over a summer deal to sign Bayern Munich’s Niklas Sule this summer. (Bild)

Everton are looking to appoint Nuno Espirito Santo amid claims Carlo Ancelotti is wanted back at Real Madrid. (AS)

Arsenal also want Calhanglu

• Jan Oblak insists he’s happy at Atletico Madrid but refuses to rule out an exit amid links to Manchester United. (Marca)
• Liverpool target Florian Neuhaus has agreed to join Bayern Munich for €40m in summer 2022. (Bild)
• Tottenham have rejected a €15m bid from Ajax for Steven Bergwijn, with Daniel Levy holding out for €25m. (De Telegraaf)
• Thomas Tuchel is pushing Chelsea hard over a summer deal to sign Bayern Munich’s Niklas Sule this summer. (Bild)
• Everton are looking to appoint Nuno Espirito Santo amid claims Carlo Ancelotti is wanted back at Real Madrid. (AS)

Chelsea want Hakimi and Traore

• Chelsea want to sign Inter full-back Acharf Hakimi and Wolves winger Adama Traore. (Fabrizio Romano)
• Man City are considering a surprise approach to sign Sergi Roberto – and the versatile Barcelona star is open to the move. (Sport)
• Chelsea defender Thiago Silva is on the brink of signing a new one-year deal, having impressed Thomas Tuchel. (UOL)
• Granit Xhaka is hoping he can stay at Arsenal, although admits interest from Roma manager Jose Mourinho is flattering. (Blick)
• Manchester United are expected to finally launch a bid – worth £85m – to sign Jadon Sancho on Tuesday. (various)

Lazio line up Maurizio Sarri

• Maurizio Sarri is holding talks with Lazio sporting director Igli Tare over replacing Inter-bound Simone Inzaghi. (Sky Italia)
• Barcelona are on the verge of triggering their €9m buy-back option on Real Betis defender Emerson next month. (Marca)
• Nuno Mendes insists his full focus is with Sporting CP amid rumours linking him with Chelsea and both Manchester clubs. (RTP3)
• Arsenal will have to pay Real Madrid €60m if they want to make Martin Odegaard’s loan deal into a permanent signing. (Defensa Central)

• Real Betis have agreed a deal to sign defender Juan Miranda from Barcelona, who will sign on a two-year loan. (Marca)
• Paulo Dybala is set for fresh contract talks at Juventus, with new manager Massimiliano Allegri keen for him to stay. (Calciomercato)
• Allegri is also keen to keep veteran defenders Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci at the club. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
• Sergio Ramos has emerged as a surprise target for Manchester City as he approaches the end of his Real Madrid contract. (ESPN)
• Joao Mario is close to returning to Sporting CP on a permanent €8m deal from Inter. (Calciomercato)