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Arsenal transfer news LIVE: First signing close after deal agreed, Celtic swap deal
ARSENAL transfer news live - All the latest rumours and gossip coming out of the Emirates as Unai Emery looks to spend.
Man Utd set to launch £70m bid for Aubameyang claims pundit
Arsenal transfer news LIVE
- Arsenal are closing in on Saint-Etienne centre-back William Saliba
- The Gunners are willing to agree to a swap deal to land Celtic defender Kieran Tierney
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has liked an Instagram post criticising Unai Emery amid links to Man Utd
Ozil tipped to stay
Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil is going nowhere despite Unai Emery being happy to sell the former Germany international.
That is the opinion of former Gunners star Lauren, who said: “Mesut Ozil will stay at Arsenal next season but he needs to start fulfilling his potential.
“Whether you are Arsenal, Real Madrid or Barcelona, you need your best players to perform on the big stage and Ozil failed to do that on multiple occasions last year.
“In the biggest games last season, the quarter-final, semi-final and final of the Europa League, Ozil was not relevant, so there is something very wrong there.
“Mesut Ozil has a lot of potential and no doubt Emery will be working to bring that to the forefront this season.”
Carrasco suspended
Arsenal target Yannick Carrasco has been suspended by Chinese club Dalian Yifang.
And the Daily Star say that could open the door to a potential transfer.
Unai Emery is keen on the Belgium international, with the Spaniard eyeing a winger this summer.
But Carrasco’s future is now up in the air, which could help Arsenal in their pursuit of the former Atletico Madrid ace.
Dalian suspended Carrasco after he missed their game against Hebei Fortune because he had returned late from international duty.
Emery stance on Torreira
Arsenal boss Unai Emery is refusing to sell Lucas Torreira this summer.
The Evening Standard claim Emery sees the former Sampdoria midfielder as an integral part of his side.
However, it’s claimed Arsenal would be forced to consider a significant bid for the 22-year-old.
Napoli and AC Milan are chasing the midfielder this summer.
Arsenal change transfer plans
Arsenal are reassessing their transfer plans as deals for Yannick Carrasco and Ryan Fraser stall.
The Evening Standard claim the Gunners’ transfer budget is an issue.
Arsenal have around £40-45m to spend this summer - and Carrasco and Fraser could cost over £60m.
Unai Emery is desperate to sign a new winger this summer.
Man Utd comparison
Arsenal hero Charlie Nicholas has hit out at owner Stan Kroenke as Man Utd close in on Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
“We’re being slow again in the market,” Nicholas said. “The manager has identified plenty of options.
“Defensively is the key area. I just hope we don't delay these deals.
"Arsenal need to get into the market. We need three defenders to come in which will cost £60-£70m.
“We can’t afford someone like Aaron Wan-Bissaka but we need a whole new defence really.”
Celtic swap deal
Arsenal have upped their interest in Celtic defender Kieran Tierney.
Express Sport understands the Gunners view the Scotland international as an ideal long-term replacement for Nacho Monreal.
Celtic want around £25million for Tierney this summer - a large chunk of Arsenal’s budget.
However, the Gunners could offer a fringe player like Carl Jenkinson in a player-plus-cash deal.
Defender deal close
Arsenal are closing in on Saint-Etienne centre-back William Saliba.
French outlet Le10 Sport claim the Gunners have agreed terms with the player over his contract.
However, Arsenal are yet to make a formal bid for the defender, 18.
The Gunners are expected to pay around £27m (€30m) for Saliba.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hint?
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has liked an Instagram post criticising Arsenal boss Unai Emery and the club’s transfer strategy amid reports linking him with Man Utd.
Arsenal fans’ fears over Aubameyang’s future will not have been helped by his latest action on social media.
The striker liked a post from the Gunners’ fan TV channel AFTV.
The post was a video of two AFTV regulars Claude and Ty discussing Arsenal’s summer transfer plans.
The caption of the video called head coach Emery a “puppet” and Claude was critical of the type of player Arsenal have been linked with in the transfer window.