A round-up of the latest Arsenal news as Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe reveals the one reason stopping him from accepting a transfer to Emirates Stadium.
White ‘surprised’ Parlour by rejecting England
Highbury legend Ray Parlour admits he is ‘surprised’ Arsenal right-back Ben White rejected a call-up for England. Gareth Southgate went public on Thursday that the 26-year-old opted to make himself unavailable ahead of the Three Lions’ friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.
Gunners sporting director Edu told England technical director John McDermott that White is unavailable to Southgate ‘at this time’. He does not want to be considered for selection after the Three Lions coach overlooked him for England’s five teams since the World Cup in Qatar.
White returned from Qatar early after being an unused substitute in England’s first two ties. He has since emerged as one of the Premier League’s best right-backs, offering Mikel Arteta a consistent threat at both ends. But Parlour fears White will likely regret rejecting England.
“It’s a strange one because playing for your country is one of your proudest moments,” said Parlour on talkSPORT (15/3, 18:26): “It’s great playing for your club and being successful for your club.
“But to put on that England shirt, you know you are one of the best players in your country. So, [I am] surprised. But in this day and age, players make these big decisions.
“Will he regret it? Probably, if I am being honest, because when you finish your career, very proud to say I would have loved to get more caps for England. But I didn’t and, you know, he is [a] really, really top-class player. He has been brilliant for Arsenal.”
Read more about what Parlour has said about White rejecting an England call-up, here.
Arsenal ready to bid £85m for Gyokeres’ transfer
Arsenal have landed decisively on targeting Viktor Gyokeres’ transfer from Sporting CP this summer. That is according to Milan Live, which reports that the Gunners are ready to trigger the €100m (£85m) release clause in the striker’s contract for a true rival for Gabriel Jesus.
Gyokeres has impressed Arsenal after scoring 33 goals and penning 13 assists in 38 fixtures so far this season. He hit the ground running and has never looked back since arriving from Coventry City last July. While the Sweden striker’s output has also drawn AC Milan’s interest.
Arsenal would blow AC Milan out of the water in any transfer tussle by offering Sporting the full value of Gyokeres’ release clause. The Gunners like that he is a thoroughbred No9 as Arteta covets fresh firepower. Jesus during an injury-hit season has eight goals in 26 games.
Read more about Arsenal’s interest in Gyokeres’ potential transfer from Sporting, here.
Mbappe reveals the reason he will not join Arsenal
Paris Saint-Germain megastar Mbappe has told Arsenal fan Mikey Poulli that he will not join the Gunners in the summer transfer window as it is ‘too cold’ in north London. The 25-year-old is out of contract at the Parc des Princes this June and is widely predicted to leave PSG.
“Arsenal? There’s no way. There’s no way,” Mbappe replied to Poulli when asked if he would consider any summer transfer to Arteta’s Premier League title-chasers. “It’s too cold there!”
Guillem Balague reported for BBC Sport this February that Mbappe has informed Paris Saint-Germain he intends to leave as a free agent in the summer. Balague also claims Mbappe has agreed to join Real Madrid on a five-year contract worth a huge €15m a season (£247k-a/w).
Mbappe will even get a €150m (£128m) signing-on bonus that Real Madrid will spread over the course of five years. Los Blancos are likely to confirm the 2018 World Cup winner’s move once the Galacticos can not face PSG in their route to the 2023/24 Champions League final.
Read more about PSG megastar Mbappe’s response to a transfer to Arsenal, here.
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