Updates on the ongoing efforts of Premier League giants Arsenal to reinforce the club’s squad ahead of the 2022/23 campaign have been provided on Sunday.
The transfer team at the Emirates, of course, have been hard at work across the summer to date.
Evidently keen to build on their climb to 5th in the Premier League last time out, the Gunners have already secured a quartet of fresh faces, in the form of Matt Turner, Marquinhos, Fabio Vieira and Gabriel Jesus.
With the likes of Tottenham and Chelsea continuing to strengthen around them, though, Edu Gaspar and co. are understood to be pushing hard for yet further additions to Mikel Arteta’s squad.
A left-sided defender, central midfielder and attacker are all still on the wishlist of the powers that be on the red half of north London.
And now, as alluded to above, an insight into the latest on two such players tipped to take their talents to Arsenal before the summer is out has been provided.
The players in question? Edon Zhegrova and N’Golo Kante.
Lille winger Zhegrova has been widely reported as a backup target to reinforce the attacking ranks at the Emirates, on the back of the club’s failed pursuit of Leeds United standout Raphinha.
LILLE, FRANCE – MARCH 06: Edon Zhegrova in action during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Lille OSC and Clermont Foot at Stade Pierre Mauroy on March 6, 2022 in Lille, France. (Photo by Sylvain Lefevre/Getty Images)
Links with Chelsea mainstay Kante, meanwhile, first surfaced this weekend, amid the suggestion that Arsenal could look to take advantage of the Frenchman’s precarious contract situation.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, however, has moved to play down such links.
On Sunday, the Italian has revealed that, contrary to prior reports, the Gunners have not tabled an offer for Zhegrova, whilst negotiations, at present, are not taking place over Kante’s potential signing, either.
Arsenal have not submitted any proposal for Lille winger Edon Zhegrova and there are no negotiations ongoing to sign N’Golo Kanté from Chelsea, as things stand. ⚪️🔴 #AFC
An update on Arsenal’s striking plans for the rest of the 2022 summer transfer window has emerged on Sunday.
The Gunners’ main priority in the current window was, of course, to bring in some fresh legs up top.
This came with Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah both out of contract at the Emirates at the end of June.
Lacazette has since made the move to Lyon, whilst Nketiah, somewhat surprisingly, put pen to paper on a new contract.
So, with Nketiah expected to play back-up to whoever Arsenal signed, it did look as though Gabriel Jesus would be the Gunners’ only centre-forward edition this year.
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However, an update from transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on Sunday suggests that may not be the case.
Speaking to Caught Offside, Romano was discussing Arsenal’s interest in PSG-bound Gianluca Scamacca. The journalist stated that whilst Scamacca is no longer a priority following the signing of Jesus from Manchester City, Arsenal will now look for a different player that does not have a €50m price-tag:
“Arsenal are no longer in the race for Gianluca Scamacca after signing Gabriel Jesus – the Italy international was the second name on their list. The idea now is to look for a different player, not a €50m price tag central striker like Scamacca,” Romano said.
This suggests Arsenal could still bring in another striker this summer, though it is expected to be a fairly cheap option.
If this does prove to be the case, it is unlikely to please Nketiah, who had no doubt been promised a fair bit more game time than what he garnered in 2021/22.
Welcome to 101‘s daily round-up of the top transfer news and rumours for Sunday, July 10th.
Gossip
Southampton have completed the signing of Joe Aribo on a four-year deal [Sky Sports]
N’Golo Kante has been left out of Chelsea’s tour of the USA due to his vaccination status, rather than any potential transfer [Get French Football News]
However, Arsenal could make a shock move for the French midfielder this summer [The Sun]
Erik ten Hag is pressing Manchester United to up their offer for Antony, with their current bid thought to be £20m short of the Dutch sides valuation [The Times]
Fulham are in negotiations to sign Wolfsburg defender Kevin Mbabu [Kicker]
The deal will set them back a fee of 6m euros [Ronan Murphy]
PSV pair Ibrahim Sangare and Cody Gakpo are both very keen to stay this summer despite speculation linking them with moves away [Voetbal]
Raphinha’s move to Barcelona continues to hinge on whether or not Ousmane Dembele renews his contract at the Nou Camp [Mundo Deportivo]
Vinicius Jr has signed a new deal at Real Madrid, keeping him at the club until 2027. [Fabrizio Romano]
Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of Omar Richards from Bayern Munich [Nottingham Forest]
Lucas Paqueta has asked to leave Lyon, amid reported interest from Newcastle United and Arsenal. The French club will not stand in his way should a suitable bid come in [L’Equipe].
Ajax continue to hold out for over 50m euros for Lisandro Martinez [Fabrizio Romano]
Frenkie de Jong has his heart set on staying in Barcelona and will reject any move to Manchester United [Sport]
Surprise word stemming from the English media late on Saturday points towards Arsenal considering a shock move for a member of the midfield ranks of London rivals Chelsea.
The player in question? N’Golo Kante.
As per a report from the Daily Star, the powers that be at the Emirates remain keen to add to Mikel Arteta’s ranks in the middle of the park ahead of the new season.
To this point, Leicester City star Youri Tielemans, of course, has been widely tipped as the number one such target to add to the Gunners’ midfield options, albeit with an actual deal to take the Belgian international to north London remaining some way off completion.
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 24: Youri Tielemans celebrates after scoring during the Premier League match between Brentford and Leicester City at Brentford Community Stadium on October 24, 2021 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
And now, an insight into the potential reasoning behind Arsenal’s hesitance to push forward with a deal for Tielemans has been provided.
This comes with the transfer team at the Emirates, instead, understood to be focusing their attentions on the potential high-profile signing of the aforementioned Kante.
‘Mikel Arteta wants more world-class defensive talent in his midfield ranks as he looks to improve on Arsenal’s fifth-place finish last term. And with Kante’s contract running down, Arsenal are ready to sound out whether Chelsea will cash in now.’
It now remains to be seen whether Chelsea will be open to dealing with a direct Premier League rival, albeit with Kante’s wages also representing a potential stumbling block in any Arsenal swoop.
Manchester United, meanwhile, are too keeping a close eye on the situation.
Chelsea star Callum Hudson-Odoi has, on Saturday, provided an insight into the injury hell which he was forced to endure this past season.
Wide-man Hudson-Odoi, of course, endured another campaign to forget last time out.
This came as a combination of a fresh round of fitness concerns, and competition for places in the attacking third, culminated in the English international being afforded a paltry 11 Premier League starts.
Hudson-Odoi, in turn, has become something of a forgotten man in Chelsea’s setup, no doubt desperate for a bounce-back term next time out.
Speaking in an interview with the Blues’ official website, it therefore came as little surprise when the 21-year-old, this weekend, was drawn on his efforts to improve with a view to 2022/23.
And CHO went on to highlight a specific focus on strength training in pre-season, in explaining:
‘My main goal this summer and throughout the season is to be stronger. There were times in the season last year when I was running with the ball and feeling like I could get barged off it or I’m not as strong as I thought I was.
‘I’ve been putting more muscle on in training to make sure I’m getting bigger so when the opponents come, I know that I’m strong enough to hold them off, or that I won’t get barged and I can barge them instead.’
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 23: Callum Hudson-Odoi celebrates with Reece James after scoring during the UEFA Champions League group H match between Chelsea FC and Juventus at Stamford Bridge on November 23, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Perhaps even more interesting, though, was the talented attacker providing an insight into the exact nature of his most recent injury woes.
‘It was a weird one. It was a neurological thing where I had a tweaked nerve in my back and it stemmed all the way down through my body, so it then became difficult for me to retain muscle,’ Hudson-Odoi began. ‘There was no power really in my legs and everything was like ‘woah’. I was trying to pass the ball 10 yards but I had no power and I couldn’t even do it.
‘I think it was also a post-coronavirus thing from December, which I couldn’t believe because it had been such a long time before. The issue started with my Achilles and then I was trying to use other parts of my body to make up for it, so for example when I was running I wasn’t running on my toes as much because my Achilles power wasn’t that strong.
‘I was trying to find another way to run and then it started affecting my back but all of it is good now. My Achilles is strong again and my back is strong so everything is perfect. It’s one of those things but I’m glad to be back and to have all my power, strength and speed back is all that I can wish for.’
Hudson Odoi: “I’ve been putting more muscle on in training to make sure I’m getting bigger so when the opponents come, I know that I’m strong enough to hold them off, or that I won’t get barged and I can barge them instead.” [chelseafc] #cfchttps://t.co/VMp8lsOma1
As the new Premier League season continues to inch ever closer to getting underway, we at 101 have kicked into gear a new series, which takes a look at the finest the English top-flight has to offer, in each position across the pitch.
In this piece, we delve into the best of the best defensive midfielders, whittling the competition down to a final five.
Check out our picks below.
Fabinho
First up comes an undisputed inclusion on our shortlist of deep-lying Premier League midfielders, in the form of Fabinho.
Since making the move to Liverpool in the summer of 2018, Brazilian international Fabinho has gone about establishing himself as an absolutely integral member of the Reds’ ranks.
The 28-year-old is widely understood to be one of the first names on the teamsheet of boss Jurgen Klopp, with his importance to the cause at Anfield laid bare each and every time Fabinho is unavailable for selection.
Boasting both technical brilliance and a near unmatched ability to read the game, Fabinho is, without question, one of world football’s very best in his role.
MADRID, SPAIN – APRIL 06: Luka Modric competes for the ball with Fabinho Tavares during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final match between Real Madrid and Liverpool FC at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on April 06, 2021 in Madrid, Spain (Photo by Diego Souto/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
N’Golo Kante
Next up comes a player who was perhaps not at his best this past season.
The fact remains, though, that Chelsea star N’Golo Kante, on his day, remains essentially unplayable.
The 31-year-old, like Fabinho above, has tasted glory both domestically and on the European stage whilst on the books of his current employers, with his importance to the Blues’ cause absolutely unquestionable.
Kante has in some aspects redefined what it means to be a ‘defensive midfielder’, with his ability to patrol the length of the pitch whilst simultaneously providing protection to the defenders behind him a sight to behold.
Jorginho’s addition to Chelaea’s ranks means that the ex-Leicester City star is now generally utilised more as an ‘8’ than a traditional ‘6’, but the fact remains that, when all is said and done, Kante will be remembered in the eyes of most as one of the finest defensive midfielders to ever do it.
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 06: N’Golo Kante during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge on April 6, 2022 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Declan Rice
The first and sole Englishman on our list of the Premier League’s best holding midfield stars comes in the form of Declan Rice.
Despite not plying his trade for one of the division’s traditional top clubs, Rice has gone about proving time and time again over the course of the last couple of seasons that he is more than capable of holding his own against the very best English football has to offer.
What makes the 23-year-old so special is his ability to thrive not only on the defensive side of the ball – breaking up attacks at their source with athleticism, reading of the game and remarkable stamina levels – but too his capabilities when in possession.
Once viewed as little more than a defensive shield, Rice has added to his game in tremendous fashion over the last two years in particular, now more than comfortable spraying passes the length of the pitch, or breaking the lines of midfield courtesy of driving runs.
A move to one of the Premier League’s elite undoubtedly awaits, but for now, West Ham continue to reap the benefits of one of the nation’s true standout talents.
Declan Rice celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the UEFA Europa League quarter-final second-leg football match between Olympique Lyonnais and West Ham United at the Groupama stadium in Decines-Charpieu on April 14, 2022 (Photo by JEFF PACHOUD/AFP via Getty Images)
Thomas Partey
Our next inclusion may give rise to some form of debate, owing to questions over his exact position on the pitch.
Many would no doubt argue that Thomas Partey operates best as a box-to-box midfield presence, a role which allows him to make use of an all-round game featuring elite press resistance and line-breaking abilities.
Since making the move to Arsenal, though, the Ghanaian has, for the most part, operated in a two-man pivot alongside Granit Xhaka, with his knack for shutting down opposition attacks at key moments remaining integral in Mikel Arteta’s setup.
It came as no surprise to see the Gunners’ top-4 push essentially go up in smoke in the immediate aftermath of Partey’s latest injury blow this past season, a testament to the 29-year-old’s ever-increasing importance in north London.
Should Arsenal kick on to secure a return to the Champions League next time out, their midfield enforcer will no doubt prove central as to why.
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 13: Thomas Partey celebrates after scoring his side’s first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Leicester City at Emirates Stadium on March 13, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Rodri
The Premier League’s best defensive midfield presence? Based on last season’s evidence, it would be hard to argue otherwise.
Since swapping Madrid for Manchester three years ago, Spanish international Rodri has gone from strength to strength, now firmly in the conversation for the title of world football’s standout deep-lying engine room star.
The influence of Pep Guardiola has unquestionably proven key to such growth, with those of a Citizens fearful that Fernandinho was irreplaceable having seen such concerns put firmly to rest.
Tenacity, ball winning, composure, passing both short and long range, a thunderous strike and the ability to control the tempo of a match from deep, Rodri possesses each and every trait required to excel in the holding midfield role, in absolute abundance.
Not only that, but having just turned 26, the best is likely yet to come…
Manchester United’s Fred (left) and Manchester City’s Rodri (right) battle for the ball during a Premier League match at Old Trafford, Manchester. Picture date: Saturday November 6, 2021. (Photo by Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images)
Honourable mentions: Wilfred Ndidi, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Ruben Neves
Chelsea have been handed a major boost in their pursuit of defensive reinforcements, according to reports.
The Blues are in desperate need of some fresh legs at centre-back now Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen have departed for Spain.
And a whole host of names have already been tipped for a Stamford Bridge switch, including Sevilla’s Jules Kounde, Matthijs de Ligt of Juventus and former Chelsea star, Nathan Ake.
Elsewhere, Fabrizio Romano reported at the end of June that Napoli stopper Kalidou Koulibaly is also on the list of Chelsea targets, with it added that there have been conversations regarding the Senegalese star:
Kalidou Koulibaly, one more name in the list for Chelsea as they keep searching for two centre backs. He’s out of contract with Napoli in 2023. 🔵 #CFC
Been told there are conversations also on Koulibaly alongside de Ligt, Aké, Koundé. Focus on Raphinha, and then centre backs.
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Now, a fresh update on Chelsea’s pursuit of the stopper has emerged.
According to Corriere Dello Sport, Chelsea are preparing a plan to bring the defender to Stamford Bridge.
And whilst the west Londoners were set to face competition from Juventus, the report has claimed that the 62-time capped international is not interested in a move to the Italian club, meaning Chelsea could have a free run to sign the 31-year-old.
No potential transfer fee is mentioned in the report.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has, on Friday evening, provided an insight into the wellbeing of star defender Kieran Tierney.
Scottish international Tierney, of course, set alarm bells ringing across the red half of north London earlier today.
This came after the 25-year-old, afforded his first appearance in Arsenal colours since picking up an injury all the way back in March, departed the club’s friendly meeting with German outfit Nurnberg with just half an hour on the clock.
Concern, in turn, inevitably began to spread, with Tierney’s ongoing inability to maintain fitness having proven a major source of frustration for all at the Emirates since his arrival back in the summer of 2019.
Any such fears of a fresh setback for the Scot, though, have this evening been put to bed.
Speaking to the media on the back of his side’s 2nd pre-season outing, Mikel Arteta was asked for an update on Tierney’s wellbeing.
And Arsenal’s boss went on to assure that his defensive star is ‘really good’, with his premature exit from the action on Friday having been agreed upon ahead of kick-off:
“He’s really good,” Arteta began.
“He’s been training really good. Obviously he’s been out for over three months now so we wanted to give him a proper warm-up, play the first half an hour and then get him out.
“So he was in good condition and there’s no issues there.”
🗞 The boss has provided a fitness update on Kieran Tierney 👇
Turning attentions back towards the action itself at the Max-Morlock-Stadion, despite falling into an early two-goal deficit, Arsenal ultimately emerged on the right side of an eight-goal thriller with Nurnberg.
Summer signing Gabriel Jesus proved the star of the show, notching a brace whilst causing havoc in the heart of the hosts’ defence after being introduced off the bench at the interval, en route to an eventual 5-3 Gunners triumph.
Spanish international Marco Asensio looks set to depart Spanish champions Real Madrid this summer, and potential Premier League upstarts Newcastle could be a destination for the 26-year-old midfielder.
Reports in Mail Online have linked Newcastle with throwing their financial muscle into the conversation to land Asensio according to Faaez Samadi, but they will be made to compete with a cadre of European giants to prise him away from the Spanish capital.
Newcastle ‘set to enter the race to sign wantaway Real Madrid star Marco Asensio’ https://t.co/W1DWL4bKih
Newcastle would potentially have to go head to head with Liverpool, Arsenal, and AC Milan for Asensio, with all three clubs levying their own interest in the Palma-native who has just one year remaining on his current deal in Madrid.
Though the Magpies are now one of the wealthiest clubs in Europe, boss Eddie Howe lacks real star power across the first-team squad apart from Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimarães and England international Kieran Trippier, both of whom came into the fold last season.
Completed deals for Dutch international defender Sven Botman and England international goalkeeper Nick Pope signaled the club’s intent this summer to mold a long-term core that Eddie Howe can utilize in a push for the European places moving forward, and a player of Asensio’s pedigree and profile could be just the tonic.
With reports suggesting that Newcastle would only have to part with somewhere in the region of £21 million-£26 million – a move, if completed, which would take the club’s summer spending to around the £90 million mark – the price would surely be no issue, but rather, convincing Asensio to make the move to Tyneside over some of the other possible destinations could prove more difficult.
Supporters of Premier League outfit Arsenal have taken to social media in numbers on Friday, to reveal their concern with one member of the club’s first-team squad.
The player in question? Matt Turner.
Shot-stopper Turner of course arrived as one of four additions to the setup on the red half of north London thus far this summer, primed to act as backup to Aaron Ramsdale over the course of the season ahead.
The 28-year-old, in turn, was afforded his first appearance in Gunners colours this evening, as Mikel Arteta’s troops stepped up their preparations courtesy of a friendly meeting with German outfit Nurnberg.
With just 45 minutes on the clock, though, those of an Arsenal persuasion were already calling into question the talents of the club’s new no.2
This came as Nurnberg raced out into a two-goal advantage, the first of which, in particular, left a lot to be desired on Turner’s part:
Such footage comes after the United States international too came under scrutiny owing to a training ground video, which saw Turner beaten by another summer arrival at he Emirates, Gabriel Jesus:
Gabriel Jesus showing his class in training. Link up, turn, run, bang. 💥
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