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Arsenal have reportedly approached Barcelona with a bid of £34m for one of their attacking talents, whom they have already tried and failed to sign on one occasion.

The Gunners were one of a handful of Premier League teams scrapping for Raphinha‘s services in the summer of 2022, after the Brazilian helped keep Leeds United afloat in the Premier League.

However, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur were pipped to the post by Barcelona, who paid £49.4m to bring him to Camp Nou, and the winger has posted respectable numbers in a Blaugrana jersey.

From 87 appearances for La Blaugrana, Raphinha has contributed 20 goals and 25 assists, helping Barca seal La Liga glory and also win the Supercopa de Espana in his debut campaign.

Raphinha’s contract at Barcelona runs for another three seasons, but he has been tipped to head back to the Premier League ever since touching down in Spain, as competition for places in Barca’s attack is fierce.

Arsenal ‘fall short with opening Raphinha bid’

The emergence of teenage phenom Lamine Yamal and loan signing of Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid restricted Raphinha to 17 La Liga starts last season, but he made the first XI six times in the Champions League, scoring in both quarter-final legs with Paris Saint-Germain.

Those contributions helped take Raphinha up to a praiseworthy 10 goals and 13 assists from 37 matches in 2023-24, although his future still remains the subject of much debate following Xavi‘s sacking and Hansi Flick‘s arrival.

According to Football365, both Arsenal and Chelsea are hoping to tempt Raphinha back to English shores, but it is the former side who have made the first move after receiving assurances that the Brazil international is open to a move.

The Gunners reportedly lodged an offer of £34m, but Barcelona are hoping to recoup in excess of £50m for the ex-Rennes winger, who has already been deemed surplus to requirements by new manager Flick.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is keen to bring Raphinha to Stamford Bridge, though, while Saudi Pro League giants Al-Nassr are also in the mix but are not considered the favourites for the attacker’s signature.

Would Raphinha be a good signing for Arsenal?

Premier League-proven, in the prime of his career and excelling in a scoring and playmaking sense for Barcelona last season, Arsenal’s renewed interest in Raphinha does not come as too much of a surprise.

Of course, Bukayo Saka is still indispensable on the right wing, but the perenially-targeted Englishman lacks true cover, with fellow academy graduate Reiss Nelson being the only other right-winger in the squad.

However, Nelson is on the chopping block after only playing a fringe role last season, while there have been claims that Fabio Vieira – who has sometimes deputised for Saka out wide – has not been cutting the mustard in training.

Consequently, a new wide man is high on Mikel Arteta‘s priority list, and if the Gunners can avoid forking out more than £50m for Raphinha, the Brazilian’s signing would represent an astute piece of business.

Raphinha would provide some trickery and flair that is sometimes in short supply in the Arsenal attack, although he would have to be happy accepting a backup role behind Saka or competing with Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard for left-wing minutes.

The European Championships are fast approaching to whet the appetite of football fans already in need of action in the wake of the Premier League season’s conclusion. England are one of the favourites and Arsenal fans after years without much Three Lions representation have Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice to enjoy.

Arsenal are indeed well represented at both the Euros and the Copa America with Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhaes both being called up by Brazil. However, the focus on Germany will take the majority of the attention before pre-season kicks off.

The transfer window is also opening soon and the summer tournaments are sure to play havoc with the club’s plans to strengthen their squads with some players wanting a quick resolution. From Arsenal’s side, a dream Euros takes shape in many forms but there are some consistent threads across them all pertaining to transfers and team news.

Saka and Rice

The two England stars are potentially Arsenal’s most important players in action this summer with the likes of William Saliba not a guaranteed starter for France and Martin Odegaard’s Norway not even at the tournament. Rice has enjoyed a near-perfect season in regard to attendance and, touch wood, this will continue through the summer with the scope then to have a much-needed rest.

Saka has been far less lucky, missing key games for club and country throughout the campaign and missing Gareth Southgate’s first pre-tournament friendly with Bosnia and Herzegovina. Fans will be praying that both avoid any scares this summer and are able to come back fit and firing for pre-season.

Benjamin Sesko signs

The Slovenian striker is Arsenal’s primary summer transfer target and the hope is a deal could even take shape before the Euros kicks off. His £55.6million release clause expires at the end of June and there are suggestions that Sesko would like his future resolved before their tournament starts.

That said, there is competition from both Chelsea and Manchester United in Sesko and the latest is that he is currently mulling over his options. Arsenal are thought to be the best placed but a lucrative contract offer from RB Leipzig could yet see him stay.

Kiwior masterclass

One player who might not be on the mind of the majority of Arsenal fans is Jakub Kiwior. The defender will be joining up with the Poland national team as they compete in Group D alongside the Netherlands, Austria and France.

The odds are stacked against them to progress and they do not have the best record in this competition with just two wins from 14 matches. Kiwior though should he perform well could benefit Arsenal doubly by increasing his transfer value with notable interest from AC Milan or show Gunners fans why indeed he could get even more game time next season.

Arsenal’s prospects of landing a midfielder Mikel Arteta loves early in the transfer market have received a substantial boost.

The Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) will prompt sales early in the window, with Sky Sports reporting that as many as six clubs face selling key players.

This should be music to the ears of Arsenal, who are standing on financially solid ground and will have no such issues.

Instead, they can profit from the trouble of others, with Arteta offered the opportunity to potentially sign one of two long-term targets on the cheap.

Douglas Luiz is a player that Arteta and Arsenal have admired for a long time, and while the path to the Brazilian seemed to have gone a little cold in recent times, Aston Villa are one of the clubs who face falling foul of PSR.

He is the likeliest player to depart Villa given that they will do everything they possibly can to retain Ollie Watkins while Matty Cash, who is linked to AC Milan, will not command the type of fee required to get the club out of trouble.

Two Newcastle possibilities

Perhaps a more tantalising prospect for Arsenal, though, is the possibility of signing Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes.

Another Brazil international, FootballTransfers has confirmed the Gunners’ interest in the former Lyon player, though they are insistent that they will not meet a release clause in the player’s contract worth around €117m – the same fee they paid West Ham for Declan Rice.

With the Magpies under pressure to sell, it may be that they have to relent on their stance.

It is also possible the St James’ Park side sell Alexander Isak, who is another player who has interested Arsenal, yet it will be tough for the club to extract full market value for either of these players given their rivals know they are now under pressure to sell.

Both Bruno and Isak, it should be stressed, have both indicated that they want to stay with Newcastle.

Of course, all of this is perfect for Arsenal, who have been given the green light to make either of these two moves aware that Aston Villa and Newcastle are now under pressure to sell.

The European Championships are fast approaching to whet the appetite of football fans already in need of action in the wake of the Premier League season’s conclusion. England are one of the favourites and Arsenal fans after years without much Three Lions representation have Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice to enjoy.

Arsenal are indeed well represented at both the Euros and the Copa America with Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhaes both being called up by Brazil. However, the focus on Germany will take the majority of the attention before pre-season kicks off.

The transfer window is also opening soon and the summer tournaments are sure to play havoc with the club’s plans to strengthen their squads with some players wanting a quick resolution. From Arsenal’s side, a dream Euros takes shape in many forms but there are some consistent threads across them all pertaining to transfers and team news.

Saka and Rice

The two England stars are potentially Arsenal’s most important players in action this summer with the likes of William Saliba not a guaranteed starter for France and Martin Odegaard’s Norway not even at the tournament. Rice has enjoyed a near-perfect season in regard to attendance and, touch wood, this will continue through the summer with the scope then to have a much-needed rest.

Saka has been far less lucky, missing key games for club and country throughout the campaign and missing Gareth Southgate’s first pre-tournament friendly with Bosnia and Herzegovina. Fans will be praying that both avoid any scares this summer and are able to come back fit and firing for pre-season.

Benjamin Sesko signs

The Slovenian striker is Arsenal’s primary summer transfer target and the hope is a deal could even take shape before the Euros kicks off. His £55.6million release clause expires at the end of June and there are suggestions that Sesko would like his future resolved before their tournament starts.

That said, there is competition from both Chelsea and Manchester United in Sesko and the latest is that he is currently mulling over his options. Arsenal are thought to be the best placed but a lucrative contract offer from RB Leipzig could yet see him stay.

Kiwior masterclass

One player who might not be on the mind of the majority of Arsenal fans is Jakub Kiwior. The defender will be joining up with the Poland national team as they compete in Group D alongside the Netherlands, Austria and France.

The odds are stacked against them to progress and they do not have the best record in this competition with just two wins from 14 matches. Kiwior though should he perform well could benefit Arsenal doubly by increasing his transfer value with notable interest from AC Milan or show Gunners fans why indeed he could get even more game time next season.

Arsenal and Tottenham are among several clubs who have reportedly thrown their support behind the Premier League in its legal battle with Manchester City.

Chelsea, though, are thought to be siding with Man City, who are taking legal action against the Premier League over Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules. These regulations allow the League to oversee deals between entities linked with club owners to ensure fees aren’t inflated above market rates.

The rules were introduced in 2021 following Newcastle United’s takeover, to prevent owners from bulking transaction prices and thereby giving a club more financial leeway within spending rules.

Man City argue that these regulations are unlawful and are, as a result, seeking damages from the Premier League. A two-week hearing is due to start on Monday, with three clubs reported to support Man City in their claims.

Chelsea, Aston Villa and Newcastle are all believed to be backing the Blues, but at least 10 clubs are providing documentation in support of the Premier League, according to the Daily Mail, with Tottenham and Arsenal named among them.

Fulham, Brighton and Wolves are also standing with the Premier League. Ahead of the hearing, some clubs have reportedly provided letters while others have submitted witness statements.

There are serious concerns that if Man City triumph in the case, it could lead to an even greater imbalance in the Premier League and render spending rules significantly less effective. Clubs are also believed to be seeking more clarity on how APTs would operate within multi-club models.

Man City is part of the City Football Group portfolio, while Chelsea’s owners BlueCo also have ownership of French club Strasbourg.

This APT case is distinct from the 115 charges that were brought against Man City in February 2023. The club has denied all allegations, which include claims of illicit revenue sourcing and non-cooperation on issues between 2009 and 2018.

The independent tribunal for that case is anticipated to commence this winter, with rumours suggesting a November start date, and is expected to last approximately six weeks.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and transfer chief Edu have made a final decision on Everton midfielder Amadou Onana.

The Gunners are in the market for a player capable of complimenting last summer’s record purchase, Declan Rice.

Experienced schemer Jorginho signed a new one-year extension last month, but with Mohamed Elneney having departed and Thomas Partey likely to follow suit, Arteta wants midfield reinforcements.

Arsenal have expressed an interest in Bruno Guimaraes, but are likely to face competition from Manchester City for the Brazil international who maintains he is happy to remain at Newcastle.

Onana was originally linked to Arsenal in January, but according to the Mirror Arsenal will not make an offer for the £60,000,000 Belgium international as he isn’t viewed as the right fit for Arteta’s system.

What has Amadou Onana said about his future?

Everton’s precarious financial position means they will likely be forced into selling one of their prize assets during the summer window, with Onana already having admitted he keen to place himself in the shop window at Euro 2024.

‘At previous tournaments, you have seen that the players who did well make the step up to the top clubs. That’s something I strive for,’ Onana told Het Laatste Nieuws, via 90min.

‘I feel like presenting myself to the European top and showing what I have to offer. This European Championship is a stage.’

Who else could leave Arsenal in the transfer window?

Arsenal will look to boost their already considerable transfer kitty with fund generated from the sales of players who fell down Arteta’s pecking order last season.

Aaron Ramsdale is understood to be interesting Newcastle United with the England international having lost his place as Arsenal’s No.1 to David Raya.

The former Sheffield United star has maintained his place in the Three Lions squad ahead of Euro 2024 but will be desperate for regular first team football against next season.

Academy graduated Reiss Nelson, Eddie Nketiah and Emile Smith Rowe are also available and their sales would generate pure profit for the Gunners given their status as homegrown players.

Chelsea seem to have identified their number one target to bring in this summer to try and address their regular goalscoring woes.

Benjamin Sesko’s name has frequently cropped up in discussions since last season came to an end, after one of their top targets from before has seemingly fallen by the wayside.

Reports have claimed recently that the Blues have ended their interest in Victor Osimhen right now, with Enzo Maresca apparently not too keen in bringing him in.

Sesko provides a far more affordable opportunity, as well as the prospect and potential of him becoming one of the best strikers in world football.

They do face difficulties in the form that they are going up against Arsenal for a deal, who certainly find themselves in a better position than the Blues right now.

Chelsea could offer Sesko more minutes than Arsenal

However, according to GiveMeSport, Chelsea could hold a key advantage over their rivals in the form of being able to offer him more regular game time.

Any striker making the move to the Emirates would be competing with former Blues Kai Havertz after he found a new level at his new club.

Nicolas Jackson progressing well

Chelsea will likely be noting the progress made by Nicolas Jackson in his first season in the Premier League, and how he became a key member of the side for the entire campaign.

However, it has to be noted that in front of goal he is not at his strongest, and it is certainly an area that he needs to improve on if he is to remain a key player at the club.

As far as other links to strikers go, there have been reports that they have registered interest in Manchester City star Julian Alvarez, after it was claimed that he is not too happy with his minutes at the Etihad behind Erling Haaland.

Aaron Ramsdale breaks silence on losing Arsenal spot to David Raya with honest admission
Arsenal shot-stopper Aaron Ramsdale has made a self-deprecating joke regarding losing his starting place to David Raya this season

Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has made a joke about losing his starting spot to David Raya in recent weeks. The England international had been the Gunners’ starting ‘keeper for the last two years, displacing Bernd Leno at the Emirates Stadium after arriving from Sheffield United in the summer of 2021.

But Ramsdale was displaced in Mikel Arteta’s starting lineup last season for his side’s 1-0 victory over Everton, with summer arrival Raya becoming the Spaniard’s starting shot-stopper since. Now, the 25-year-old has broken his silence on the matter, joking that he hasn’t won much recently during a video with some England teammates.

The two teammates then burst into laughter, with the talented shot-stopper seemingly referencing the fact he has lost his place to Raya.

“If he concedes a goal in the first half through one of those moments of anxiety, honestly you have seen it go like that. He had to get through that game and he did, otherwise, that could have been a big problem.”