Gossip: Arsenal eye Wolves star, Barca and PSG plan to raid City
ARSENAL TARGET WOLVES STAR
Many believe Arsenal should have gone for Atletico Madrid’s manager when Arsene Wenger retired but it seems they are trying to make up for their wrong move by targeting players who have played under Diego Simeone instead.
Friday’s whispers suggested the Gunners were ready to pay the £45million required to activate the release clause in Thomas Partey’s Atletico contract, while today’s rumours suggest Mikel Arteta wants to sign Wolves attacker Diogo Jota.
The Portuguese forward has scored 43 goals since moving to Molineux from Atletico in 2017, since when he has played in a number of attacking roles for Nuno. The Daily Mail says Arteta is looking for wide forwards and though Jota would fit the bill, he would not come cheap, especially since Atletico are due are slice of whatever fee Wolves receive.
It could be an interesting summer for Wolves. They haven’t yet had to fend off huge interest in their big names since taking the Premier League by storm but Jota, Raul Jimenez and Adama Traore are sure to attract plenty of attention whenever the transfer window opens. Not that there is any need to leave Molineux…
DUO TO QUIT MAN CITY?
Manchester City have more reason to shed players, especially if their UEFA ban stands.
Apparently, Pep Guardiola is open to letting Riyad Mahrez leave this summer and Calciomercato says PSG are sniffing around the Algeria star. Mahrez has three years remaining on his contract but the 29-year-old is said to be open to a return to France.
Angelino would presumably jump at the chance to move if there is any truth in talk of interest from Barcelona. The left-back returned to City from PSV last summer but he has since been shuffled on to RB Leipzig on loan. Mundo Deportivo says Barca are monitoring Angelino, who must have come a long way since he was described as ‘absolutely awful’ before the start if the season.
JUVE AS AOUAR AS POGBA ALTERNATIVE
It was assumed that Paul Pogba might be the biggest name to move this summer since he plainly can’t be arsed to put a shift in for Manchester United.
But Pogba has a problem. His inactivity this season – he’s played 75 minutes in the last five and a half months – won’t have made him any more appealing to Real Madrid or Juventus, who might reasonably expect a hefty discount on whatever price United were hoping to get for their record signing.
But the Red Devils won’t allow Pogba to leave on the cheap, so Juve are making alternative plans. Calciomercato suggests the Italians are looking instead at Houssem Aouar…
The 21-year-old has shone in Lyon’s midfield this season and Jucve has been tracking his progress since 2018. Aouar might not come cheap but at around £45million, he’d certainly cost considerably less than Pogba.
AND THE REST
Chelsea want Man Utd attacker Angel Gomes on a free transfer… United are leading the race for Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Denis Zakaria… Barcelona have agreed a £16million-a-year deal with Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez… Barca and Real Madrid are chasing Lyon’s 16-year-old Rayan Cherki… Juve will offer £25m for Chelsea left-back Emerson Palmieri… Lazio want Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud and AC Milan midfielder Giacomo Bonaventura as free agents.
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