Arsenal 'hours away' from striking deal as 'personal terms agreed' and Tottenham circle

Arsenal are now stepping up their summer preparations with their Stateside tour. The Gunners face Bournemouth in their first US tour fixture on Wednesday night US time and the early hours of Thursday morning UK time, although a number of players will be absent.

The Euro 2024 and Copa América players won’t be present just yet, and many of them won’t travel to the US at all. In the meantime, work on new recruits continues, and with that in mind, we have rounded up all the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding the Emirates Stadium.

Nketiah claim

Marseille are said to be pushing ahead with their bid to land Gunners forward Eddie Nketiah, who will be available this summer. The forward looks set to be offloaded as Arteta looks to continue adding to his squad this summer.

Nketiah has struggled for regular starts, and there is said to be interest from the Premier League. But according to reports in France, Marseille are pushing ahead with their efforts to land the one-time England international. It’s claimed a loan deal with an obligation could be agreed, while Marseille are also willing to include a sell-on fee. It’s claimed Nketiah has already agreed personal terms, but no deal has been agreed between the clubs just yet.

Calafiori deal ‘close’

Arsenal are still pushing to agree a deal with Bologna star Riccardo Calafiori. The defender is said to be the Gunners’ prime target this summer, but while there has been no issues in convincing the player, the two clubs have not been able to agree a fee.

But TuttoMercatoWeb have reported that a move will be completed in the ‘next few hours’. That will be music to the ears of Arsenal fans who will have been concerned about the club’s inability to strike a deal and the amount of time it was taking to agree a fee. However long it takes, it looks likely the Italy international will be playing his football at the Emirates Stadium next season.

Neto concern

Tottenham are being tipped to make a move to sign long-term Arsenal target Pedro Neto. The Wolves wide man has regularly been linked with a move to the Gunners, but it’s unclear whether he will be a target this summer as Arteta looks to add a new winger.

“From Tottenham’s point of view they want to add some sort of wide attacker, winger or playmaker. Ange Postecoglou likes players who are versatile,” journalist Ben Jacobs told Forest Fan TV: “At the moment, their focused on the likes of Eberechi Eze and Pedro Neto at Wolves. Eze is difficult because of his complicated release clause like Michael Olise.

“With Pedro Neto it’s very possible that they put an offer down roughly similar to what they paid for James Maddison £40/45m, but then with £5/10/15m in add-ons contingent on appearances because that way if he stays fit you’re happy to pay the higher price, but if he doesn’t stay fit you get him for less.”