Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Nketiah £25m bid by Premier League club REJECTED, Merino latest as Gunners close in on deal

Jeff Stelling questions Ramsdale transfer

Jeff Stelling has questioned why Arsenal want to let Aaron Ramsdale leave for Wolves.

He said on talkSPORT: “He has done nothing wrong. He is a good goalkeeper and we all accept that.

“He deserves and he is good enough to be playing in the Premier League for a decent side.

“He has been linked with Wolves, I get that completely. The question for Arsenal is you can’t go into a season just having a number one goalkeeper, you need a quality back-up as well.

“Have they got that now? I honestly don’t know.”

Neville keeping eye on defender

Gary Neville has picked Jurrien Timber as his player to watch this season.

He said of the defender: “Yeah, just last season, I was looking forward to him coming to Arsenal and sort of adding defensive stability to the squad.

“They did that anyway without him. I think the fact that he has been out for so long, will just be interesting to see. Arsenal obviously haven’t made a lot of additions to their squad this year, so he feels like a new addition. I would just like to see him play and see how he fits in.”

More on Merino transfer situation

Real Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay has confirmed that talks are underway with the Gunners and a deal is possible.

Per Chris Wheatley, he said: “Unfortunately, one of the teams we didn’t want to show up showed up [Arsenal].

“When we consider that the offer is good, we will say yes.

“We know what Merino’s wishes are, so we decided not to call him up [to the squad].”

Romano offers Merino transfer update

Arsenal have been chasing midfielder Mikel Merino for several weeks but it appears they are set to get their man.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano offered an updated on the situation, saying: ““Let me tell you here guys. Do not worry Arsenal fans, Merino is coming and he is coming very soon.

“They are sorting the final details of the deal, but Merino is fully expected to become an Arsenal player in the final 10 or 11 days of the summer transfer window.”

Toney’s agent wants Arsenal move

Ivan Toney’s agent wants the in-demand Brentford striker to sign for Arsenal this summer, according to former Premier League manager Alan Pardew.

He told talkSPORT: “Let me tell you. I know Toney’s agent personally, and I think he would like the boy to go to Arsenal. There you go, there’s a bit of insight.

“I know that he thought that might be a good fit for the boy when I had a discussion.”

Deeney praises Arsenal talisman

Troy Deeney was full of praise for Bukayo Saka in his first BBC Team of the Week of the season.

He said of he winger: “I worked on Arsenal’s win against Wolves for Talksport and Saka was immense.

“He ran them ragged. They couldn’t live with him. He scored a great goal and his assist for Kai Havertz was perfect as well. Great cross, assist and goal.”

Neville predicts Gunners title charge

Arsenal narrowly missed out on the title once again last season but Neville believes they will finally beat Manchester City to the league this year.

He told Sky Sports: “They’re just getting better, they’re getting nearer, and I don’t know, I feel they’ll do it.

“I feel they’ll do it at a certain point. And look, you can never be 100 per cent because of what Pep Guardiola does. He wins all the time.

“But I feel Arsenal getting so close, and they’re so consistent that this could be the year.”

Carragher tips Arsenal to break record

Jamie Carragher believes Arsenal will set a record this season by becoming the first team to improve their points tally five years in a row.

Arsenal finished with 89 points last season, five better than their total in 2023.

In 2022 they collected 69 points while finishing in fifth place.

And in 2021 Arsenal came eighth with 61 points.

Interestingly, in 2020 Arsenal finished eighth again, but with a lower points total of 56.

Carragher said: “Something that’s interesting about Arsenal, no team in Premier League history has improved their position five years in a row.

“Arsenal have done it four years in a row, and to go beyond where they did last year is going to be tough.”

Gunners target Olympic gold medallist

Arsenal could sign Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia if Aaron Ramsdale leaves, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Ramsdale lost his place to David Raya last season and is subject to a loan bid from Wolves which could be made into a permanent transfer.

The Gunners reportedly have a verbal agreement in place with Garcia, who was part of Spain’s Olympic-winning squad.

He has a buyout clause of £25million.

Arsenal told to sign Toney

Arsenal have been urged to sign Ivan Toney by former Premier League manager Alan Pardew.

The ex-Newcastle boss told talkSPORT: “Let me tell you, I know Ivan Toney’s agent personally & I think he would like the boy to go to Arsenal.

“There you go, there’s a bit of insight. I know that he thought that might be a good fit for the boy.”

Toney move

Brentford are keen to sell Ivan Toney before the weekend and are likely to accept £45million for the wantaway striker.

SunSport also understands that Chelsea could be tempted into a late swoop for the England international.

Toney was left out of the matchday squad for the Bees’ opening weekend win over Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Brentford had valued him at around £70million at the start of the summer as he entered the final year of his contract.

Arsenal had been amongst the clubs to be linked with a move for Toney earlier in the window.

Arsenal reject Nketiah bid

In case you missed it, Arsenal have rejected a £25million bid for Eddie Nketiah from Nottingham Forest.

According to The Athletic, talks are continuing between the two clubs.

Nketiah is valued at between £30million and £35million by the Gunners and is Forest’s top striker target.

Crystal Palace are also said to be interested but no talks have been held with Arsenal.

Arsenal’s next five

Party update

Thomas Partey is “not expected” to leave Arsenal this summer, according to CaughtOffside.

The Gunners were open to allowing the midfielder leave but they have not received any offers deemed suitable.

There are reports the Ghana international have received interest from Saudi Arabia but nothing have been finalised as of yet.

Arsenal told to sign Toney

Arsenal have been urged to sign Ivan Toney by former Premier League manager Alan Pardew.

The ex-Newcastle boss told talkSPORT: “Let me tell you, I know Ivan Toney’s agent personally & I think he would like the boy to go to Arsenal.

“There you go, there’s a bit of insight. I know that he thought that might be a good fit for the boy.”

Arsenal 24/25 fixtures

Toney move

Brentford are keen to sell Ivan Toney before the weekend and are likely to accept £45million for the wantaway striker.

SunSport also understands that Chelsea could be tempted into a late swoop for the England international.

Toney was left out of the matchday squad for the Bees’ opening weekend win over Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Brentford had valued him at around £70million at the start of the summer as he entered the final year of his contract.

Arsenal had been amongst the clubs to be linked with a move for Toney earlier in the window.

BREAKING: Arsenal reject Nketiah bid

Arsenal have rejected a £25million bid for Eddie Nketiah from Nottingham Forest.

According to The Athletic, talks are continuing between the two clubs.

Nketiah is valued at between £30million and £35million by the Gunners and is Forest’s top striker target.

Crystal Palace are also said to be interested but no talks have been held with Arsenal.

More on Merino

Real Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay has given an update on Arsenal’s pursuit of Mikel Merino.

He told reporters: “We will talk to Arsenal and defend the interests of Real Sociedad.

“When we consider that the offer is good, we will say yes. We know what Merino’s wishes are, so we decided not to call him up.”

Merino ‘irreplaceable’

Real Sociedad manager Imanol Alguacil has claimed Mikel Merino is “irreplaceable”.

The Arsenal target was left out of his side’s 2-1 loss to Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.

After the match, Alguacil explained: “There are no two players like Merino & Le Normand, but they are not here.

“I can’t even say Zubimendi will not leave at the last minute. They are irreplaceable players for us. We cannot look for excuses when these players are not here.”

Nketiah’s goal celebration

Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah likes to celebrate every goal with a phone call.

Revealing the meaning behind his goal jubilation Eddie, 25, told Arsenal:

“It’s just a little phone call! In pre-season Arsenal Media came up with a little thing ‘call me if you need a goal’ so I have kind of just stuck with it.

“A lot of my friends like it so they are eager for me to dial them up if I get on the scoresheet so I try to enjoy each goal, whether that is youth level, in the park, anywhere I always try to celebrate and enjoy it and it is always a blessing to score.”

Kiwior to return to Italy

Jakub Kiwior could return to Italy amid reports on the defenders future at Arsenal.

Fabrizio Romano has revealed there is “a serious possibility for Jakub Kiwior to leave.”

He added that there “are no concrete talks with any particular club.”

The transfer reporter claimed the Poland international is interested in returning the Italy after leaving Serie B side Spezia last season to sign for the Gunners.

Henry QUITS as France U21 coach

Thierry Henry has left his role as France U21s coach due to personal reasons.

The Arsenal legend, 47, also took charge of his country’s men’s team at their home Olympic Games and led them to a silver medal, losing 5-3 to Spain in the gold medal match.

Henry confirmed the news in a statement made by the French Football Federation.

The former Barcelona striker said: “I would like to thank the FFF and the president Philippe Diallo who offered me this incredible opportunity.

“Winning the silver medal at the Olympic Games for my country will remain one of the greatest prides of my life.

“I am incredibly grateful to the federation, the players, the staff and the supporters who allowed me to live a magical experience.”

Party update

Thomas Partey is “not expected” to leave Arsenal this summer, according to CaughtOffside.

The Gunners were open to allowing the midfielder leave but they have not received any offers deemed suitable.

There are reports the Ghana international have received interest from Saudi Arabia but nothing have been finalised as of yet.

Merino deal

Arsenal are on course to complete the signing of Mikel Merino within the next 24 hours.

GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed the club are closing in on a deal for the Real Sociedad midfielder.

A medical will be booked once the final terms of the deal are settled.