A round-up of the latest Arsenal news as Jamie Carragher picks the moment that will ‘haunt’ the Gunners as the north London side hold talks with an £80m target’s camp.
Arsenal view Joao Neves as an alternative target to Martin Zubimendi
Arsenal have added SL Benfica talent Joao Neves to their transfer shortlist as Mikel Arteta targets a new midfielder. That is according to TBR Football, which reports the Gunners boss is keen to sign an anchor who can complement Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard next term.
Scouts working for the north London giants have even made three trips in the past month to see Neves. Arsenal are intensifying their scouting of the 19-year-old to check his suitability as an alternative to Arteta’s first-choice target, Real Sociedad’s anchor Martin Zubimendi.
Arteta is even working on convincing Zubimendi to switch Real Sociedad for Arsenal himself. But the Gunners’ transfer team are eager to have backup targets, and believe Neves has lots of potential. Despite his age, the five-cap Portugal international has played 74 senior games.
Read more about Arsenal’s interest in Neves’ transfer from Benfica, here.
Arsenal contact Bruno Guimaraes’ camp about his transfer from Newcastle United
Arsenal are rivalling Manchester City for the transfer of Bruno Guimaraes after both squads contacted the Newcastle United player’s camp. That is according to Ben Jacobs, who claims that Paris Saint-Germain also like the 26-year-old but are prioritising signing Bernardo Silva.
Guimaraes has played a pivotal role in the Toon’s season with six goals and six assists from 36 Premier League starts. He also has a £100m release clause, which is only active from late May to the end of June. But Newcastle will listen to £80m bids by Champions League sides.
Arsenal do not believe Guimaraes is worth £100m, so would want to negotiate down the fee for his transfer. Manchester City are also the favourites to sign the Brazilian this summer. Yet Newcastle are loath to sell a key cog in Eddie Howe’s engine room, so will fight to retain him.
Read more about Arsenal’s interest in Guimaraes’ transfer from Newcastle, here.
Jamie Carragher thinks Son Heung-Min will ‘haunt’ Arsenal
Jamie Carragher thinks Son Heung-Min will ‘haunt’ Arsenal after the Tottenham Hotspur star missed a pure chance to score against Manchester City. Spurs fell to a 2-0 defeat at home to the Citizens on Tuesday to give Pep Guardiola’s side control of the Premier League title race.
Arsenal have taken the title fight to the final day of the term but must beat Everton and also hope West Ham United draw against or win at Manchester City. Tottenham could have done the Gunners a favour on Tuesday but Son would not find a route to score past Stefan Ortega.
Guardiola had to replace Ederson with Ortega after the Brazilian took a heavy knock after a firm collision with Cristian Romero. But the Citizens’ No2 stepped up to twice thwart Dejan Kulusevski plus Son, who Carragher tips to haunt Arsenal given the impact on the title fight.
“When I think of me a few years ago as a Liverpool fan and watching Vincent Kompany put that shot in against Leicester, that is that moment now for Arsenal fans,” Carragher claimed on The Gary Neville Podcast.
“That Son chance is something Arsenal fans will remember in five, 10, 15 years time. Even if they win a Premier League title in the next five years, that chance will still haunt them.”
Read more about why Carragher believes Son’s miss will ‘haunt’ Arsenal, here.