A round-up of the latest Arsenal news as a Gunners star nears an agreement to leave and coach Mikel Arteta is told of an imminent dilemma he faces at Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal open talks with Paris Saint-Germain to sign Fabian Ruiz
Arsenal sporting director Edu has opened talks with Paris Saint-Germain to target a transfer for Euro 2024 winner Fabian Ruiz. That is according to Football Transfers, which reports the Gunners have sought to hold initial talks to sound out the potential of a loan-to-buy swoop.
Ruiz only moved to the Parc des Princes in 2022 from SSC Napoli but has struggled to merit a prominent role under Christophe Galtier and Luis Enrique. So, Arsenal hope PSG are happy to accept an initial loan move that carries an obligation to buy the 28-year-old next summer.
A deal to bring the Spain star to Emirates Stadium also hinges on Arsenal selling one of their midfielders. Mikel Arteta is keen to rebuild his engine room and thinks Ruiz would be a great signing after making the Euro 2024 Team of the Tournament with two goals and two assists.
Read more about Arsenal’s talks to sign Ruiz in a loan-to-buy deal from PSG, here.
Thomas Partey believes Mikel Arteta faces a good selection dilemma
Thomas Partey believes Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is facing a good selection dilemma for the new term with the Gunners’ competition for spots in their midfield. The 31-year-old finished last season with a regular starting role but accepts he is not guaranteed to keep a place now.
Arsenal largely had to make do without Partey last season as the Ghanaian missed 21 of the 38 Premier League games through injury. But his return to fitness during the run-in allowed Arteta to utilise Partey in a bid to add further steel beside Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.
Yet Jorginho is also pushing to regain a starting position in N5, where Arteta has also chased deals for several targets this summer. The extra competition does not worry Partey, though, as he believes it can only get the best out of Arsenal’s midfielders amid their quest for titles.
“We have a lot of players in the middle,” Partey told Hayters. “Jorginho is playing good, I am playing good, Dec is there [and] Martin, too.
“We also have other players who can come in and make a difference. We have to compete against each other and at the end of the day, it is Arteta who decides. With this kind of competition, we can get to the level that we want to be at.”
Read more about what Partey has said about Arsenal’s competition in midfield, here.
Marseille fear Arsenal do not want to sell Eddie Nketiah
Marseille are close to finalising an agreement with Eddie Nketiah as the Ligue 1 giant pushes to seal his transfer from Arsenal. But OM fear the Gunners are not committed to selling their academy product after failing to agree on the price with the teams’ valuations still far apart.
That is according to La Provence, which reports that Marseille are looking to sign Nketiah as a replacement for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The former Arsenal captain recently moved to Saudi Arabia with Al Qadsiah, leaving new OM boss Roberto De Zerbi without an attacker.
Marseille and Nketiah have had productive talks about his likely personal terms at the Stade Velodrome. But Arsenal continue to frustrate Marseille, who doubt how willing the Premier League giants are to selling but remain optimistic that they will eventually finalise the move.
Read more about Marseille’s move for the transfer of Arsenal striker Nketiah, here.
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