MIKEL ARTETA COULD BLOCK JULIAN ALVAREZ TO ARSENAL TRANSFER AS GUNNERS EYE £130M SWOOP

Julian Alvarez continues to be linked with a blockbuster move to Arsenal (Image: Getty Images)

Arsenal are reportedly willing to spend £130million on the signing of Julian Alvarez, but Mikel Arteta will insist on guarantees that he is genuinely keen on joining the Gunners. The forward is desperate to leave Atletico Madrid ahead of next week's deadline, having initially been eager to join Barcelona before their efforts were firmly rebuffed. It has left Alvarez in a sticky spot, with Atletico fans turning on him during their draw with Villarreal over the weekend.

Arsenal are reportedly willing to spend £130million on the signing of Julian Alvarez, but Mikel Arteta will insist on guarantees that he is genuinely keen on joining the Gunners. The forward is desperate to leave Atletico Madrid ahead of next week's deadline, having initially been eager to join Barcelona before their efforts were firmly rebuffed. It has left Alvarez in a sticky spot, with Atletico fans turning on him during their draw with Villarreal over the weekend.

The move would also require the Gunners to balance their finances, with Gabriel Martinelli edging towards a £50m move to Saudi club Al-Hilal.

That would represent a club-record sale for the newly-crowned Premier League champions.

Arsenal are also looking to offload Fabio Vieira with Hamburg driving to complete a deal, while Napoli have shown interest in Gabriel Jesus but the primary obstacle has been the forward's salary.

Jesus has also wished to remain in England but recognises his opportunities at Arsenal will be restricted.

It remains to be seen if Arsenal would even consider a swap deal for Alvarez that would see Viktor Gyokeres move the other way.

Mikel Arteta wants assurances that Alvarez is genuinely keen on the move (Image: Getty)

Reports in Spain have suggested that the Gunners could table a £55m bid with Gyokeres thrown in as a makeweight to drive down Atletico's asking price.

Meanwhile, the prospect of signing Juventus star Kenan Yildiz appears increasingly unlikely given the winger requires knee surgery.

The Gunners have already splashed out considerably this window on Christos Tzolis, Bruno Guimaraes and Ezri Konsa, meaning it is entirely plausible they could refrain from further activity even if Martinelli leaves.

Eberechi Eze remains an option to cover the left flank and Arsenal may choose to bide their time, but if the opportunity to land Alvarez arises and the player proves willing to make the switch, the north Londoners are thought to be receptive.

- John Cross and Archie Griggs

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MIKEL ARTETA SHARES FIRST ARTETAISM OF THE SEASON WITH 'ATTACKING THE TITLE' QUOTE

Mikel Arteta has hit us with the first Artetaism of the year as he said Arsenal are not defending the Premier League, rather attacking it.

Whether the Spanish manager likes it or not, Arsenal are the defending Premier League champions but he has seemingly taken issue with that word and that mindset.

In an interview with Men in Blazers, it was put to him that Arsenal were “defending” the title, to which he replied with a big smile “attacking” it.

“Attacking! That’s where we’re going,” he said. “Now I’ve got inside an experience that I will remember the rest of my life which is sharing that with all the players, all the staff on that bus. Now we go for more and I want to create something much bigger than that.

“We created the foundation we wanted and now it’s something much bigger that we want to achieve as a club.”

Arteta is not the first non-native manager to trip over this particular English turn of phrase. Jurgen Klopp in 2020 questioned the use of the word defensive in regard to a new season.

“Somebody told me we have to defend the title, and I don’t understand that,” he said in a press conference. “Maybe I’m not smart enough, but I didn’t understand that.

“So if there’s a title out there, we obviously showed that we were able to go for it last year. We did it the year before as well.

“That doesn’t mean we will be this year because we don’t take these things for granted. But the titles out there, we attack them.”

Klopp did though fail to defend the title and now Arteta is tasked with being the first Arsenal manager to do so. Complacency is often raised as the key issue for a team retaining the Premier League title but the Arsenal boss suggested his players were the opposite.

“I think obviously the energy that everybody has is like ‘I want to do it again. I want to go through that emotion again,’ he said.

“So it’s almost like something that gets instilled in your base and I said I really want to live that again.

“We need to start from day one, and we need to realise that it’s going to be something that’s going to demand a lot from everybody. But we have the ability to do it, and we can go through that again.

“This is what we want to create right now, and it has to be the ambition, and it is the ambition from the owners of this football club, from everybody on the board, to every staff member, and ultimately from the players.

“And then you have to show that with facts and with actions. And when the staff wants to come early, the staff is putting more hours in the summer to see, ‘okay where can we go?’

- Sam Cooper

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VINICIUS JR AGREEMENT CONFIRMES AS DECISION BETWEEN ARSENAL, REAL MADRID MADE

Vinicius Junior has reached an agreement, with Arsenal and Real Madrid learning who the Brazil superstar will play for next season, according to a report.

On the back of lifting their first Premier League title in over two decades, Arsenal sought to attack the transfer market to help launch a dynasty.

Bruno Guimarães is arriving to the tune of £75m and the Brazilian has passed a medical. Personal terms are already sealed.

However, The Gunners aimed to sign an even higher profile Brazil international in the form of Real Madrid winger, Vinicius Junior.

The 26-year-old is in the final year of his contract at the Bernabeu and Real Madrid have no intention of losing such a highly valuable asset to free agency next summer.

As such, only two outcomes appeared to be in play – Vinicius re-signs at Real or joins Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta’s side made a huge play for Vinicius, with the Spaniard personally contacting the winger to discuss his role at the Emirates.

Arsenal also made it crystal clear they were fully prepared to demolish their wage structure and make Vinicius Junior by far their highest paid player ever.

However, the player’s preference always remained re-signing with Real Madrid. And on Wednesday, a crunch round of talks between he, his agents and the LaLiga giant took place.

While no agreement was struck at that time, Ben Jacobs and Fabrizio Romano were among many more trusted sources to stress Vinicius was now likely to remain a Madridista.

Ben Jacobs wrote on X: ‘Understand Real Madrid are confident this evening that Vinicius Jr will extend after productive talks.’

Fabrizio Romano took to the same platform when stating: ‘Real Madrid are increasingly confident to receive final green light from Vinicius Jr on new contract.

‘New proposal being discussed but Madrid optimistic and Vini Jr’s camp also positive after today’s meeting. José Mourinho also got involved.’

He subsequently added: José Mourinho, personally involved in Vinicius Jr new contract discussions as he’s been pushing for the Brazilian to stay.

‘Real Madrid are confident, José told the club he wants Vini to stay and also told Vini about plans for him to continue.’

Vinicius Junior agrees new contract at Real Madrid

And on Thursday morning, Spanish reporter, Ramon Alvarez de Mon, claimed an agreement has now been struck that will see Vinicius sign a contract extension at the Bernabeu, thus ending Arsenal’s hopes.

The reporter, who boasts over 300,000 followers on X: wrote: ‘Vinicius and Real Madrid reach an agreement for his contract renewal, which is expected to be signed soon.’

Missing out on Vinicius Junior will be a painful blow to Arsenal who have already tried and failed to sign another major name for the left side this summer – Morgan Rogers.

The Gunners could now reignite interest in PSG’s Bradley Barcola, though there could be more heartache for the Gunners.

Barcola is Liverpool’s top target and according to Jacobs, the Frenchman will prioritise signing for Liverpool over Arsenal if both clubs strike a deal with PSG…

- Steve Pearson

VINICIUS JR REACHES DECISION ON JOINING ARSENAL OR STAYING AT REAL MADRID, AS ULTIMATUM REACHED

Arsenal are continuing to monitor Vinicius Junior’s contract situation at Real Madrid, with sources confirming to TEAMtalk that the Gunners are being kept informed by the Brazilian’s representatives and intermediaries as negotiations over a new deal reach a pivotal stage.

The latest developments come after Real Madrid informed Vinicius that their current proposal represents their final offer.

TEAMtalk understands the Spanish giants have made it clear they will not improve their terms, believing they have reached the limit of what they are prepared to offer while maintaining their carefully managed wage structure.

Real remain determined to keep Vinicius and the player himself would still prefer to remain at the Santiago Bernabeu.

However, sources insist the situation is far from resolved.

We understand the biggest stumbling block is the signing-on bonus attached to a new contract.

Vinicius’ camp believe he deserves a package comparable to the one Kylian Mbappe received when he joined Real Madrid, with sources indicating they are seeking a figure close to the £85million signing bonus awarded to the France captain.

Real Madrid’s response has been firm.

Club officials have pointed out that Mbappe arrived as a free agent after the expiry of his Paris Saint-Germain contract, making his situation fundamentally different to that of a player already under contract at the club.

That disagreement has created months of deadlock.

Real Madrid have now informed Vinicius’ representatives there will be no further negotiations on improved financial terms.

The message is simple – accept the current offer or the club will consider other options.

Real Madrid won’t allow Vinicius Jr to leave via free agency

TEAMtalk understands Real remain unwilling to risk Vinicius entering the final year of his contract without an agreement in place.

If no breakthrough is reached, they would rather sanction a sale this summer than face the prospect of losing one of their biggest assets for nothing in 2027.

While the contract situation continues to dominate headlines, Real Madrid are pressing ahead with other business.

TEAMtalk understands Los Blancos expect to complete the signing of Yan Diomande this weekend, with talks continuing with RB Leipzig over the final details of the deal.

The highly-rated youngster is not viewed as a direct replacement for Vinicius, but his arrival would provide Jose Mourinho with greater attacking depth and another versatile option across the frontline.

Real’s plan is very much for Diomande and Vinicius to play together, not instead of one another, and everyone at the club remains hopeful that will be the case next season.

That is where Arsenal continue to watch developments closely. Sources have told TEAMtalk that the Gunners remain in contact with Vinicius’ camp and continue to receive updates on the situation.

Vinicius Jr favours Real Madrid stay over joining Arsenal

While Arsenal have enormous admiration for the Brazilian and have made clear they would be willing to offer him a hugely lucrative package, there has been no indication from the player that he is actively pushing to leave Madrid.

Indeed, those close to the negotiations continue to stress that Vinicius’ priority is still to remain in Spain.

However, Arsenal’s interest is genuine. TEAMtalk understands the prospect of living and playing in London is something Vinicius has discussed with those around him and is viewed positively.

Should negotiations with Madrid ultimately collapse, Arsenal believe they would be in a strong position to make their move.

Sources remain cautious over the likelihood of that scenario.

Vinicius expected to sign new Real Madrid contract

The overwhelming expectation among those involved is still that an agreement will eventually be reached and Vinicius will commit his long-term future to Real Madrid.

But unlike some reports suggesting the situation is already resolved, TEAMtalk understands there is still significant work to do before any contract is signed.

Until that happens, Arsenal will continue to keep a close eye on developments.

As one source told TEAMtalk: “Everyone still expects Vinicius to stay, but nobody can say it is guaranteed. Arsenal are informed about everything that is happening and they will be ready if the situation changes.”

- Graeme Bailey

ARSENAL, NEWCASTLE REACH AGREEMENT FOR BRUNO GUIMARÄES WITH FEE REVEALED AND IN FINAL STAGES

Bruno Guimarães has been linked with a move to Arsenal.

Arsenal and Newcastle United have reportedly ‘reached an agreement’ over a fee for Brazil international Bruno Guimarães after weeks of rumours.

The Gunners are still looking for a new midfielder this summer with Arsenal keen to build on their Premier League title-winning campaign by bringing in quality over quantity.

It has become clear in recent weeks that Guimarães has emerged as their top target for that area of the team and the Brazil international has reportedly made it clear that he wants to join the north London side.

Some journalists have claimed that talks are ‘advanced’, while other more local journalists have pushed back on that, but, whatever the truth, it now seems inevitable like Guimarães will move to Arsenal after Eddie Howe left St James’ Park.

Giving an update on his YouTube channel on Thursday, transfer insider Fabrizio Romano said: “And then guys, on Arsenal, don’t forget the Bruno Guimarães story because Arsenal are expected to return to the table over next week for Bruno Guimarães.

“Arsenal want Bruno. Mikel Arteta considers Bruno a top priority, so Arsenal are expected to be back in direct negotiations with Newcastle from next week

“It’s going to be an important week of new contacts. Then if the deal can get done already next week or not, this depends on the negotiation on the two clubs.

“The player has agreed personal terms with Arsenal, so Arsenal and Bruno Guimaraes have an agreement.

“Mikel Arteta is pushing to get Bruno Guimaraes because Mikel Arteta considers Bruno Guimaraes the perfect midfielder for Arsenal project, but now Bruno is keen.”

Newcastle, Arsenal ‘agreement’ and deal now in ‘final stages’

And now French newspaper L’Equipe has revealed that Arsenal and Newcastle ‘have reached an agreement in principle’ for the transfer of Guimarães with a deal now in its ‘final stages’.

Arsenal have not been keen to reach Newcastle’s €100m asking price for the midfielder and, after two bids around €70m and €80m, they have finally come to an agreement.

The report adds: ‘Arsenal finally swayed Newcastle United by proposing a base price of €90 million on Friday, plus bonuses that are still to be negotiated, as well as agent fees.

‘If all goes through in the coming days, the Brazilian international (48 caps, 3 goals), a key player in Carlo Ancelotti’s midfield for the national team, will become an Arsenal player, a dream he has cherished for the past month.’

ESPN Brasil had reported that Newcastle and Guimarães have had an ‘amicable agreement’ in place that if Newcastle failed to qualify for the Champions League then he would be allowed to leave the club.

- Joe Williams

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