A round-up of the latest Arsenal news as the Gunners speak to a Premier League rival
and emerge as the front runners over Liverpool for Mikel Arteta’s top transfer target.
Arsenal lead Liverpool for Goncalo Inacio’s transfer from Sporting Lisbon
Sporting Lisbon now fear Goncalo Inacio could leave the Liga Portugal giants this month with Arsenal and Liverpool interested. A Bola claims that the Leoes fear losing a fundamental star in January. So, they hope to tempt the 22-year-old to stay until, at least, the end of the term.
Estadio Jose Alvalade chiefs have promised coach Ruben Amorim that Inacio will only go this month if a club pays his €60m (£52m) release clause. But Arsenal are emerging as the most likely side to seal Inacio’s transfer in January. He is also on Real Madrid’s radar for the future.
Inacio has been an essential part of Amorim’s plans and Sporting consider it ‘inevitable’ that he will leave in 2024. But Sporting will do everything they can to stop Arsenal, Liverpool et al from sealing a January transfer, at least without the guarantee Inacio stays until the summer.
Arsenal could test Sporting’s resolve, though, as Arteta has identified Inacio as his top target for defensive transfers. According to Dean Jones, the Spaniard believes Inacio is the centre-half who can improve his defence the most in January. He is also prioritising a new defender.
Read more about Arsenal’s interest in Inacio’s transfer from Sporting Lisbon, here.
Arsenal open talks with Everton over Amadou Onana’s transfer
Arsenal have opened talks with Premier League rivals Everton about a potential transfer for Amadou Onana this January. That is according to TEAMtalk, which reports that the Gunners have approached the Toffees. But the Blues will only sell the midfielder for around £70-90m.
Arteta is a huge admirer of Onana and wants to get the Belgian to partner Declan Rice in his engine room at Emirates Stadium. The Gunners may also table their first offer soon with the 22-year-old earning further interest from several sides. Arsenal are keen to beat their rivals.
Onana has previously expressed a desire to join a top club, so may be open to a transfer to Arsenal this month. But Everton are extremely reluctant to let him leave mid-season having started 15 of his 16 Premier League games. The 6 ft 4 brute has also scored one league goal.
Read more about Arsenal’s interest in Onana’s January transfer from Everton, here.
Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer shower Arsenal star William Saliba in praise
England legends Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer have showered Arsenal star William Saliba in praise. The pair even believe the centre-half is emerging as the best defender in the Premier League. He has been a rock at the back for Arteta once again this season over 20 matches.
Arteta has only started Saliba and Rice in each of the Gunners’ top-flight fixtures this season so far. He has also started the 22-year-old Frenchman in all six of their Champions League games to date. Saliba has only enjoyed a rest during the Gunners’ two Carabao Cup fixtures.
What impresses Lineker so much about Saliba is how easy on the eye the Arsenal ace is. The Match of the Day presenter also admires how effective the Bondy-born star is on and off the ball. Shearer, too, admires how precise Saliba can be whilst thwarting an opponent’s attack.
Lineker told the Rest is Football podcast: “He is just very graceful [and] easy on the eye. He glides across the grass [and is] really good on the ball and without it. He’s the sort of central defender you wouldn’t want to play against.”
To which, Shearer noted: “I agree with everything you said about him. He is just good on the eye. He’s a classy centre-half and times it to perfection. So, I’m not going to argue with that.”
Read more about what Lineker and Shearer have said about Arsenal’s Saliba, here.
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