Arsenal make ‘contact’ with West Ham player, Nottingham Forest ‘ask’ about Gunners star

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and transfer chief Edu will already be hard at work preparing for next season.

The Gunners came up just short in their bid to return to the Champions League last time around, but they have secured the sizeable consolation of Europa League football.

A summer rebuild of sorts is widely expected in north London, but with so much speculation doing the rounds, it can be hard to keep track of all the latest developments.

With that in mind, here are Sunday’s Arsenal transfer rumours...

Gunners in Asensio talks

Arsenal have opened talks to sign Real Madrid midfielder Marco Asensio, according to reports.

As per the Sunday Mirror, Mikel Arteta’s side are one of a number of clubs monitoring the 26-year-old’s situation in the Spanish capital, with Tottenham and Manchester United also linked.

Asensio is out of contract with Real next year, and while the European champions have tabled an offer of an extension, they would prefer to sell this summer than lose him for free in 12 months time.

It is claimed that the player’s future will be resolved in the next week, one way or the other.

Forest make Maitland-Niles contact

Nottingham Forest are interested in Ainsley Maitland-Niles, and have reportedly made contact with Arsenal over a potential deal.

According to the Daily Mail, the newly-promoted side have identified the 24-year-old as an option after missing out on a permanent transfer for Tottenham-bound Djed Spence.

Maitland-Niles spent the second-half of last season on loan at AS Roma, and is out of contract in north London next year.

Arsenal open Bowen talks

Arsenal have reportedly opened talks with the representatives of West Ham winger Jarrod Bowen ahead of a potential swoop this summer.

The wide man recently made his England debut following a hugely impressive campaign for David Moyes’ side, and it would appear that his efforts have caught the eye of transfer chiefs at the Emirates.

According to The Beautiful Game Podcast, the Gunners have made “contact” with Bowen’s agent, and the 25-year-old is on a longer list of potential targets, including Leeds United’s Raphinha.