Arsenal and Tottenham will ‘battle’ for 39-capped German international as Gunners set to ‘hold talks’

The first international break of 2023 is almost here as clubs across English football take their first extended break since returning from the FIFA World Cup finals last year.

Arsenal have a double header of home fixtures before that, first against Sporting in the Europa League tomorrow night and then against Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday. Meanwhile, there are still plenty of transfer news stories being reported behind the scenes as the rumour mill continues to turn.

The Gunners are reportedly set to battle North London rivals for the signing of a highly-rated attacking midfielder in the summer and are also said to be considering the future of a current striker who is currently out on loan. Here are the latest Arsenal transfer news stories on Wednesday, March 15:

Arsenal and Tottenham to ‘battle’ for midfielder signing this summer

Per a report from Sport Witness, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal continue to be named as Julian Brandt’s suitors from the Premier League. The attacking midfielder has been in impressive form for Borussia Dortmund this season with nine goals and five assists from 32 matches - and that apparently hasn’t gone unnoticed in English football’s top flight.

However, it is also claimed that the Bundesliga club will make ‘great efforts’ to keep the former Bayern Leverkusen player at the club beyond this summer. Brandt, who has been capped 39 times by the German men’s national side, is under contract at Dortmund until the summer of 2024.

Arsenal will ‘hold talks’ with striker once loan spell ends

Arsenal will hold talks with Folarin Balogun regarding his future once his loan at Reims comes to an end, according to 90min. Importantly, the report states that the Gunners have ‘no plans’ to sell the forward who has scored 16 goals in 26 games so far this season.

It is claimed in the article that Balogun and his representatives have been contacted by various clubs to express an interest. However, his progress at the Ligue 1 club has been noted by the Gunners who are under no pressure to sell the 21-year old.