Two clubs bid to hijack long-term Arsenal transfer target as La Liga giants consider midfielder

Arsenal are now just a matter of hours away from their Champions League quarter-final second leg with Real Madrid. The Gunners lead the tie by three goals heading into the second leg, but a comeback can never be ruled out in a Champions League game involving Real Madrid, and especially not at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Gunners will have to put on a strong performance to finish the job, and they showed just how capable of it they are in the first leg. As Mikel Arteta’s men look to book their spot in the final four, we have rounded up all the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding the Emirates Stadium.

Partey exit links

Thomas Partey still faces an uncertain future, out of contract at Arsenal at the end of this season. The Gunners could still move to offer him a short-term deal, with the midfielder having proved himself a useful asset this season, slotting in wherever Arteta has needed him.

Marca have reported that Atletico Madrid are interested in offer Partey a deal, reportedly hoping to take the midfielder back to the Spanish capital. Partey has spoken highly of his time with Atleti, and it’s reported he is one of their top targets ahead of this summer as they look to add to their midfield.

Garcia chase hots up

Arsenal could face competition for a goalkeeper they have been chasing for some time. The Gunners have had their eyes on Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia for at least a year, attempting to sign the promising stopper last summer, though he ultimately stayed to be number one and to keep playing regular football as he continues his development.

Garcia has been superb for a struggling Espanyol side this summer, producing some magical saves, including a La Liga save of the month award. But perhaps predictably, that form has led to increased interest, and La Grada Ràdio are now reporting that Manchester City and Real Madrid have also been eyeing Garcia, and they could rival Arsenal for a deal this summer. The 23-year-old has shown determination to play regularly, so it could come down to which club can offer him the quickest route to regular minutes if more than one do end up making a move.

Ferdinand prediction

Rio Ferdinand is backing Arsenal to progress against Real Madrid. Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel: “If Madrid score first and there’s around half an hour to play… rah! My bum’s gonna be speaking for you lot [Arsenal]! I think Arsenal go through, trust me. I do. I think it’s going to be too much. Listen, I think Arsenal will go through. I think they’ve got too much.

“I think this Madrid team looked a bit disjointed the other day, the balance of the team and the squad hasn’t been right and they’ve been conceding goals left, right and centre. [Bukayo] Saka coming back was the big thing and it changed everything for Arsenal.

“If Saka is not there, I don’t think they would have won 3-0. But it is that and I think Arsenal are going to go through. I’m backing Arsenal to go through. If my life’s on the line now, I’m going Arsenal to go through, not a problem. I’m just saying: that club Real Madrid is a mystic club. If Arsenal go behind it could be a different story. But I still think Arsenal will go through because they’re going to score.”