Arsenal ‘prioritise’ bargain £25m midfielder transfer as defensive target ‘begs’ for exit

Arsenal are already preparing for the new season with pre-season training underway at London Colney.

Mikel Arteta will be looking to make the most of his time this summer to get his men prepared for a top four bid and a run in the Europa League.

The Spaniard is getting plenty of help this summer, with the club investing significantly in new signings, including marquee capture Gabriel Jesus.

The search for reinforcements continues, too, with Arteta keen to perfect his squad ahead of the new season.

And with that in mind, we have rounded up all the latest transfer news and rumours surrounding the Gunners.

Tielemans latest

Arsenal are being tipped to prioritise a deal for Youri Tielemans now that Jesus is all wrapped up.

The Leicester City midfielder could be available ahead of the new season, with his current contract set to expire next year.

According to Fabrizio Romano, via Que Golazo Podcast, Tielemans could be available for just £25million, and for that reason, the Gunners will chase a move for the Belgian.

Romano said: “I see some of these names mentioned. Milinkovic-Savic is always mentioned in the Italian press, but Lazio want €75-80mi (£68.7m) for Milinkovic-Savic, so it is a really complicated one.

“I am sure that Tielemans is a good opportunity because he is out of contract next summer.

“He is not extending his Leicester contract, so this is why Arsenal are exploring that possibility more than Milinkovic-Savic today.”

Milinkovic-Savic rumours

The latest reports concerning Sergej Milinkovic-Savic claim the Gunners have actually submitted a bid.

Il Messaggero claim Arsenal have bid around £47million in a bid to land the in-demand midfielder, but it seems that is significantly below Lazio’s valuation.

As detailed by Romano above, Lazio are believed to want around £69million for their star midfielder.

Martinez boost

Arsenal may have received in their reported bid to improve their back-line.

According to the Metro, the Gunners have already made two offers to Ajax for Lisandro Martinez, the second of which being worth £34m.

Ajax are said to want £45m, and the same Metro report claims the defender is now “begging” the Eredivisie giants to allow him to leave, with Manchester United also said to be interest.