Gossip: Arsenal target Sterling; Liverpool man in demand
Arsenal might show more ambition than we think in the transfer market, while Nat Phillips is in demand.
ARSENAL LOOK TOWARDS MAN CITY
Arsenal are trying to gauge which level of player they can shop for this summer,’ according to Eurosport, and to that end they are checking out the status of Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling at Manchester City. Both were mentioned on Tuesday as possible makeweights in the deal to take Harry Kane to City from Tottenham but both are likely to turn their noses up at both moves, especially as Sterling has only improved his chances of either a City stay or high-profile transfer at Euro 2020.
But the implication is that the Gunners are shopping in markets that many thought they would avoid this summer, and this particular report also confirms that recent links with Aaron Ramsdale, Brighton defender Ben White, midfielders Yves Bissouma, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Ruben Neves and James Maddison as well as forward Andre Silva are all accurate.
Rating the England players v Czech Republic
PHILLIPS IN DEMAND
Liverpool would be ‘reluctant sellers’ of Nat Phillips, according to Goal, but the player himself knows he needs to move this summer for first-team football as he would be fourth or fifth-choice at the Reds. Burnley, Brighton, Newcastle and Southampton are all said to be among Premier League clubs interested in the centre-half.
The first two clubs have shown the most interest, with Burnley likely to lose James Tarkowski to Leicester, Wolves or West Ham this summer and Brighton braced for White to leave for Arsenal. As for a price, Liverpool are looking for at least £12m for a player they would have sold for pennies last summer.
SALIBA OUT OF ARSENAL
William Saliba cost Arsenal £30m two years ago but is yet to make a competitive appearance for the Gunners, and football.london has been told by multiple sources that Saliba could be sold this summer, or at least loaned with the option of a sale. He might actually end up at Newcastle, who have – according to Football Insider – been told by Arsenal that they can borrow the Frenchman if they sign White from Arsenal.
Newcastle have also been told that Arsenal are open to selling Joe Willock in a permanent deal after his excellent loan season with the Magpies. He will be one of many players offloaded this summer to release funds for a overhaul.