Chelsea 'enter race' for Arsenal 'target' as Man Utd transfer list three players

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All the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding the Premier League as pre-season training continues.

The Premier League season is fast-approaching and clubs are working hard to get new deals over the line. There is a clear advantage to getting new signings in during pre-season to get players bedded in ahead of the big kick-off, and Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta admitted as much this week.

The Gunners have been slow with their business so far this summer, while Chelsea and Tottenham have already dusted off the cheque books and dived into summer business. Here we round up all the latest news and transfer rumours from around the Premier League.

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Chelsea enter Merino race

Chelsea are said to have joined the race to sign Arsenal ‘target’ Mikel Merino. The Euro 2024 winner is said to be available for around £20million this summer with his Real Sociedad contract entering its final year, while he is said to be open to a return to England.

According to Roberto Gomez on Radio MARCA, Chelsea are now interested in snapping up the experienced midfielder with Arsenal appearing to move slowly as they prioritise their signing of defender Riccardo Calafiori.

United transfer list three

Manchester United are said to be welcoming bids for a number of senior players as they prepare to make further signings this summer, already wrapping up deals for Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro.

ESPN say the Red Devils will now welcome offers for Victor Lindelof, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Christian Eriksen after spending a combined £88 million so far, while the fee agreed for the sale of Mason Greenwood is reportedly largely made up on performance-related add-ons. All three players transfer listed are in the final years of their contract, meaning United are better off bringing in transfer fees now rather than having to make contract offers or losing them for free down the line.

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Howe on Gordon future

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe says he is confident Anthony Gordon will stick around amid reported interest from Liverpool this summer. "I'm confident he is okay," Howe told reporters. "I think you can only judge Anthony on what he has given Newcastle on the pitch. He's given us everything. He's been committed.

"I'd welcome Anthony back with three arms if I had them. He's an integral part of what we're doing. We've had no conversations over the summer where it has been fractious or negative. He's always been the Anthony Gordon who has given absolutely everything to Newcastle and I want to make that clear to all our supporters.

"Anthony needs a bit of a break but by the time he comes back, he'll be ready to go. He's such an important player for us. We didn't want to lose anybody. Why would we want to lose our best players? We fought really hard to make the right decisions but in those last few weeks it was very, very difficult.

"The biggest danger is, if you bring players back too early, that can really damage their season. But we have a game looming very large against Southampton [the season opener on 17 August] that we have to get them ready for, so it's a very delicate balance."

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