The Hard Tackle takes a look at the latest transfer news surrounding Premier League giants Arsenal as they brace themselves for a mass exodus.
Amid all the excitement surrounding UEFA Euro 2020 and Copa America, the transfer wheel in the market is well and truly running. This is, after all, going to be an exciting yet cautious and steady summer for football, as the majority of the European clubs look to recover from the financial blow they received in the aftermath of the pandemic.
Arsenal prepared to loan out William Saliba to Newcastle United
The transfer roundup starts with Newcastle United’s interest in William Saliba. As reported by Football Insider, it appears the Magpies are determined to sign a couple of Arsenal players, as Steve Bruce looks ahead to improve his ranks after surviving the wrath of relegation and one of the players the former Hull City manager is looking for is William Saliba.
NUFC have already been linked with a swoop for Joe Willock, following his successful loan spell at St. James’ Park. And according to the report, they have received a major boost in their pursuit of Saliba, with Arsenal ready to sanction a loan deal for the Frenchman, once they get their hands on Ben White.
Recent reports suggest that the Gunners are preparing a £45 million bid to secure the services of the Brighton & Hove Albion defender, even though the Seagulls value him at £50 million.
Nevertheless, the potential addition could indeed add some much-needed quality to the Arsenal backline, allowing them to sanction the loan deal for Saliba, who will welcome game-time in English football by joining Newcastle United.
Granit Xhaka keen on AS Roma switch
Arsenal are preparing for a mass exodus in the midfield department this summer, with Granit Xhaka likely to be their most eye-catching transfer away from Emirates. Much has been made over his reported move to AS Roma. And now, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has weighed in on the situation, suggesting that Roma are working on a deal to complete the transfer.
Xhaka himself is desperate to join the Giallorossi, where he can partner with former Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese tactician actually rates the Swiss midfielders highly, with many suggesting that he might play the role of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg at Roma, even though the playing style of the two midfielders differ highly.
As for Arsenal, the potential departure of Xhaka should open up yet another slot in the midfield unit. It ultimately allows more freedom for Mikel Arteta to explore his options in the market. One of the players the Spaniard is considering right now is Houssem Aouar, whose disappointing 2020/21 campaign could reportedly force Olympique Lyon to cash in on him for just £20 million this summer.
Lazio eyeing Sead Kolasinac
More news regarding Arsenal’s potential departures come from Football.London, which has shed light on the future of Sead Kolasinac. It appears Lazio have joined Fenerbahce in the race to sign the Arsenal outcast, who spent the second half of the 2020/21 campaign on loan at his former club FC Schalke.
Kolasinac didn’t have much success with the Royal Blues, notably getting relegated from the Bundesliga. He doesn’t have any future at Arsenal either, with Mikel Arteta actively scouring the market for a new left-back. Rangers’ star Borna Barisic has been among the players being linked with a move to Emirates in the summer, with the club keen on adding a reliable backup for Kieran Tierney.
As for Kolasinac, we might witness a potential transfer duel between Lazio and Fenerbahce for the pursuit of the Bosnian international. However, Arsenal are unlikely to receive any major compensation for the services of the left-back, as his contract at Emirates expires at the end of next season.
Lucas Torreira on the verge of joining Lazio
If Kolasinac wasn’t enough, Lazio are eyeing a swoop for yet another Arsenal outcast in Lucas Torreira, reports journalist Pedro Almeida. The negotiations over a potential transfer are, in fact, in advanced stages and the club is in a position of announcing the deal soon, for the capture of Torreira and Napoli’s Elseid Hysaj.
Since joining Arsenal after the 2018 World Cup, Torreira has found life difficult not only in England but also in Spain. A return to Italy, therefore, makes sense as the Uruguayan international hopes to revive his career in Serie A.
It remains to be seen how much Arsenal demand, for the services of their midfielder. However, there has been some noise regarding the potential involvement of Joaquin Correa in the deal, with the Lazio attacker possibly joining Emirates in the summer.
Arsenal set to make loan offer for Philippe Coutinho
Our final Arsenal news is about a potential arrival. According to Fichajes, the Gunners are open to signing Philippe Coutinho on loan from FC Barcelona with a mandatory buy option embedded in the contract. They are holding out just one condition that they get to thoroughly check the player’s fitness and in particular, his knee problem in order to ensure he remains fit throughout the upcoming campaign.
A former success with Liverpool in the Premier League, Coutinho has fallen behind the pecking order at Barcelona. He is not even included in Ronald Koeman’s plans for the upcoming season, especially after the arrival of Memphis Depay. It has left newly elected club president Joan Laporta desperate for a suitor for Coutinho, whose wage demands have put off many interested clubs in the past.
Premier League Transfer Roundup: Coutinho to Arsenal or Everton, Sancho part-exchange deal and more
The Brazilian has mostly recently linked with a shock move to Leicester City. Arsenal, however, are in a better position to afford his wages. He is also better fitted to Mikel Arteta’s positional play rather than the highly versatile nature of Brendon Rodger’s tactical setup, although it will be interesting to see how the prospect of no European football affects the player’s decision.
