A sneak peek at the latest arsenal transfer news!
Rafinha’s £55 million transfer to Chelsea and Leeds United has surprised Arsenal in the race to sign the Brazilian winger. The Gunners had wanted to add the 26-year-old star to their assault before the 2022–23 season after last week’s conclusion of a deal to bring his countryman Gabriel Jesus to the Emirates. To beat its London rivals to a significant signing, Chelsea reportedly moved quickly, according to The Telegraph.
The sum has been agreed upon by the Blues and Leeds, and it is now hoped that the parties will also agree on specific details. Rafinha was rumored to favor a move to Stamford Bridge as it became evident that Barcelona wouldn’t be able to fund a move to Camp Nou. The former Rennes star was the subject of an offer from Arsenal last week, but Leeds flatly rejected it because it was so dramatically undervalued. Rafinha, who is represented by former Blues player Deco, is now predicted to partner with Raheem Sterling in Thomas Tuchel’s redesigned attack.
Thomas Tuchel’s squad is in need of fresh attackers after Romelu Lukaku returned to Inter Milan, and new Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is eager to make some significant transfers in his first summer in charge at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea wants to sign more than just one aggressive player, but Raheem Sterling’s £50 million transfer to Manchester City has already started. Similarly linked players Richarlison of Everton and Ousmane Dembele of Barcelona are both having trouble finding contracts because the former still wants to play at the Nou Camp and the latter is being pursued by Tottenham.
Last week, Leeds rejected a deal for the Brazilian from the Gunners that was said to be around £40 million since they valued their star player at roughly £65 million. However, Mikel Arteta’s team is set to come back with a better offer. Although a move for Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez is also in the works, it is uncertain whether Arsenal will have the resources to match Leeds’ asking price after spending heavily on fellow Brazil striker Gabriel Jesus from City and Porto midfielder Fabio Vieira.
Raphinha, who scored 11 goals and contributed three assists last season as Leeds came close to being relegated, had planned to move to Barcelona this summer, but the La Liga club’s financial woes have dashed those ambitions.
Kieran Tierney will stay at Arsenal this summer despite rumors that Premier League champion Manchester City is interested in signing him. Tierney has impressed since moving from Celtic to Arsenal for £25 million in 2019, making 87 appearances across all competitions despite sporadic injury difficulties. The 25-year-old Scotland international is now being spoken about joining Pep Guardiola’s squad, but it does not appear likely to happen anytime soon. Football Scotland reports that no bids have been made, and that “the player’s camp is in agreement that he will stay [at Arsenal].”
Gabriel Jesus must undergo testing with Arsenal on Tuesday before leaving Manchester City for £45 million. Mikel Arteta has named the Brazilian international one of the Gunners’ top targets during the summer transfer window in order to improve his offensive options for the upcoming season.
Jesus wants to leave City with just one year remaining on his contract in order to get more playing time before Brazil’s World Cup campaign later this year. The presence of Erling Haaland at City would have also had an impact on Jesus’ choice to break relations with Pep Guardiola.
Fabrizio Romano reports that Jesus is already in London for his physical with the Gunners after Arsenal and City agreed on a £45 million deal last week.
The 25-year-old is willing to sign a five-year deal with Arteta’s group.
Mikel Arteta and Gabriel Jesus worked together at Manchester City. Jesus and Arteta were coworkers at City, and the Spaniard played a significant role in convincing the forward to switch to north London. Jesus will become Arsenal’s fourth addition this summer, after players like Fabio Vieira, Marquinhos, and Matt Turner.