5pm Arsenal news LIVE: PSG want Aubameyang for just £35m, Umtiti transfer LATEST, next season’s kit LEAKED – The Sun
ARSENAL have returned to training as the Premier League's restart draws tentatively closer.
And ex-captain Granit Xhaka has said he is desperate for the club to keep current captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, while Samuel Umtiti is reportedly keen on a cut-price move to the Emirates.
Follow all the latest updates from North London below…
CE-BYE-OS
Dani Ceballos would rather fight for his place at Real Madrid than make his loan deal at Arsenal permanent.
The Spanish midfielder is on a season-long loan at the Emirates after finding first-team chances at the Bernabeu limited.
The 23-year-old told TVE on Wednesday: “I am a Real Madrid player … and any player in the world would like to play for Real Madrid,
“I have a contract with them for three more years and they are the ideal team to succeed.”
CHEAP AS CHIPS
Paris Saint-Germain are weighing up a £35million move for Arsenal contract rebel Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, according to reports.
The striker is edging closer to the Emirates exit door with just a year left on his current deal.
Barcelona have been heavily linked with a switch for Aubameyang as they delve into the market for a new striker.
But it's their European rivals who are braced to make the first move, reports Le 10 Sport.
KUM GET ME
Chelsea are set to beat Arsenal and Everton to the signing of Hellas Verona star Marah Kumbulla, according to reports.
The 20-year-old Albanian has been likened to Juventus legend Giorgio Chiellini.
He could cost as little as £18million and, according to Corriere Dello Sport, looks set for a move to England.
CROWN ON HIS ED
Thierry Henry has tipped Arsenal target Odsonne Edouard for a career at the very top, according to Ally McCoist.
The Celtic forward, 22, has bagged 22 goals in all competitions this year.
Rangers legend McCoist revealed Henry’s opinions on talkSPORT.
The Scottish ex-striker said: “I spoke to Thierry Henry at the Liverpool vs Leicester City game and he really rates Edouard.
“He was saying in France in particular [he is highly regarded] and he personally really, really thinks he’s got a chance of going right to the top.”
CROWD PROUD
Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin expects fans to be back at matches soon.
He told El Mundo: “I don't like apocalyptic visions that say we should expect a second wave, a third or a fifth.
“People we know will die one day, but do we need to be worried now? Should we be fearful now? I don't think so.
“We are ready (to hold the Euros) and we're going to follow the recommendations of the health authorities.
“I’m absolutely sure that the good and old football with supporters will be back soon.”
NEGATIVE IS A POSITIVE
Dani Ceballos has confirmed the entire Arsenal squad tested negative for coronavirus.
The midfielder said: “Forty eight hours ago we passed the tests, and the truth is that the whole team has tested negative.
“We are going to start a week late with respect to what is being talked about in Spain, which is June 12, and we are going to start the league on the 20th.”
FOX ON THE BOX
MTV have reportedly signed up David Luiz and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for a lockdown version of 'Cribs'.
The show MTV Cribs: Footballers Stay at Home will be aired on June 1.
BURNING RUBBER
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang teamed up with F1 star Lando Norris for a virtual Monaco Grand Prix.
The Arsenal striker revealed he found the course “really, really hard” when trying it out.
KIT'S ALRIGHT!
What do we think of next season's leaked kit, Arsenal fans?
There has been some mixed reaction on social media to leaked images of next year's Adidas jersey.
DANI DOUR
Dani Ceballos would rather fight for his place at Real Madrid than make his loan deal at Arsenal permanent.
The Spanish midfielder is on a season-long loan at the Emirates after finding first-team chances at the Bernabeu limited.
Ceballos has endured a rocky campaign, featuring 24 times for the Gunners before the season was halted due to the coronavirus.
The 23-year-old told TVE on Wednesday: “I am a Real Madrid player … and any player in the world would like to play for Real Madrid,
“I have a contract with them for three more years and they are the ideal team to succeed.”
BIG RETURN
Arsenal players are expected back at London Colney today after training yesterday.
The Gunners are one of the clubs who were initially hit by coronavirus at the start of the pandemic in the UK after boss Mikel Arteta tested positive.
But the players put in some work in the 28-degree heat yesterday.
Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were both pictured leaving training.
WORTH THE PUNT?
Arsenal and Manchester United’s eyebrows will surely be raised by the fact that Samuel Umtiti is available for as little as £27million.
But there are catches: the Frenchman has big wage demands and has had a nightmare with knee problems.
Umtiti has missed 16 of 27 league games, played three of Barca’s seven Champions League.
Last season the World Cup winner only played 15 games in all competitions due to complications over a knee injury.
Umtiti had been in favour before the coronavirus lockdown but there still remain doubts over his long-term fitness.
Clement Lenglet and Gerard Pique have been the largely-preferred centre-back pairing.
BALLS UP
The Premier League’s big return to training has been hampered — by sticky balls!
And some players have angrily slammed the Phase One Covid-19 training programmes as “pointless” and “ludicrous”.
All 20 top flight clubs have now resumed work in strictly controlled sessions as part of Project Restart, which aims to finish the season.
But the disinfectant that is being sprayed onto balls has reacted in the hot weather, causing the surface to become tacky and affecting movement.
Some players also claim sessions are not fit for purpose as they build up fitness ahead of a planned match return next month.
Motivation is already rapidly vanishing because the carefully regulated training sessions are nothing like what they should be doing as professionals.
GROUNDS FOR CONCERN
Arsenal’s transfer plans this summer could be set for a big blow with the club’s owner Stan Kroenke in need of a £408million loan.
The 72-year-old, who also owns NFL side Los Angeles Rams, has requested the huge figure to help finance their new SoFi Stadium.
This loan comes in addition to the £327.7m they have already borrowed from the league’s stadium lending programme, states The Athletic.
Kroenke has asked for 30 years, double the usual 15, to be able to pay the money back, which suggests finances could be a problem for him and the Rams.
The request will be discussed and given the thumbs up or down at next week’s virtual owners meeting.
And that, of course, could have a major impact on Mikel Arteta’s hopes of splashing the cash to try and bolster his Arsenal squad.
UM AND AHH
Barcelona are hoping to use Arsenal target Samuel Umtiti as makeweight in a deal for Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez.
Nou Camp chiefs are all-too aware that Diego Godin is 34 years old and, according to Sport, are keen to get the Frenchman’s high wages off the books.
Both Arsenal and United have been previously linked with Umtiti, 26, who wants to stay in Catalonia.
Contact between the two clubs has been “non-existent” but there could be an opening for middle men to get a deal done.
Barcelona are desperate to get hotshot forward Martinez, 22, as their marquee signing this summer, despite various financial problems.
HAK'D OFF
Granit Xhaka admits Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leaving would be a “great loss” for Arsenal.
Real Madrid, Manchester United and, most persistently, Barcelona have all been linked with striker Aubameyang, who replaced Xhaka as Gunners skipper last November.
He told SportBild of the Gabon star’s possible departure: “If that were to happen, it would, of course, be a great loss for the team and the club.
“Auba is always dangerous and always good for a goal, and as a guy, he’s also really great.
“He is always positive, optimistic, helpful and very professional.”
MORNING, GUNNERS FANS
Arsenal are planning a £25million summer raid for Borussia Dortmund defender Manuel Akanji – after renewing talks for him in January.
German outlet FussballTransfers.com allege Gunners officials held concrete discussions with their Dortmund counterparts earlier this year.
Borussia are said to have blocked the Swiss international's departure after losing fellow central defender Abdou Diallo to Paris Saint-Germain.
But Arsenal are understood to have contacted Dortmund once more early this year to discuss a possible summer move.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are interested in swapping Alexandre Lacazette for Atletico Madrid flop Thomas Lemar because of coronavirus, according to reports.
According to AS, Atletico Madrid are willing to use Lemar as a bargaining tool in order to land top target Alexandre Lacazette.
At 28-years-old, Diego Simeone and club chiefs believe that the former Lyon forward should be in his peak years and would offer a new dimension to their attack.
And with both sides lacking funds because of the coronavirus pandemic, a swap deal without cash involved could benefit both parties.
Finally, Arsene Wenger has called for the January transfer window to be axed as out-of-favour players “give up”.
The Arsenal legend who is now FIFA's head of global development, has suggested changes to the game in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.
The Frenchman said: “I am for the abolition of the January transfer window
“Managers don't deal with this second window well.
“In October, as soon as a player does not play anymore, he tries to find a solution elsewhere and waits for January to leave,
“He is no longer mobilised, he gives up.”
EXCLUSIVE BY DUNCAN WRIGHT
Real Madrid and neighbours Atletico are the latest big Spanish club to make it known they are willing to sell some of their stars.
That is sure to put Premier League giants including Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal on red alert.
SunSport revealed this week how Barcelona have effectively invited offers for all but three of their players as they desperately look to plug a hole in their finances.
Now it has emerged that LaLiga rivals Real and Atleti are also in the market to offload players as the cost of the Covid-19 crisis begins to bite.
The top clubs in the Premier League have all been made aware that the two clubs in the Spanish capital are open to do business for the majority of their players.
Real are still trying to pursue a plan to find the resources to sign Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain, but to do that they would need to bring in a huge amount of funds.
Gareth Bale is one of those they would be happy to move on to get his £650,000-a-week wages off their books, but others are also available.
But the problem for the Spanish giants is the value of players is likely to drop markedly when football resumes, and they may not get the kind of fees they would hope.
EXCLUSIVE BY DUNCAN WRIGHT
THE Premier League's big return to training has been hampered – by sticky balls.
All 20 top flight clubs have now resumed work in strictly controlled sessions as part of Project Restart aiming to complete the season.
But the coating of disinfectant being smeared on all the balls has reacted in the scorching temperatures across the country, causing the surface to become tacky.
Some players have complained they are now running slowly on the already dry grass in the few ball drills they are able to enjoy in Phase One of the training programme.
SunSport has learnt how just two days into the new regime stars are claiming they are “pointless” and “ludicrous”.
They claim the sessions are not fit for purpose to help them build up match fitness ahead of the planned return to action next month.
MAN OF THE PEOPLE
Arsenal are planning a £25million summer raid for Borussia Dortmund defender Manuel Akanji – after renewing talks for him in January.
German outlet FussballTransfers.com allege Gunners officials held concrete discussions with their Dortmund counterparts earlier this year.
Borussia are said to have blocked the Swiss international's departure after losing fellow central defender Abdou Diallo to Paris Saint-Germain.
But Arsenal are understood to have contacted Dortmund once more early this year to discuss a possible summer move.
PIE IN THE SKY
Granit Xhaka admits he fears Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could leave Arsenal this summer.
He told Sport Bild: “If that [Auba leaving] were to happen, it would, of course, be a great loss for the team and the club.
“After a roller coaster ride, it sounds like he’s settled in for the long-term at the Emirates. He puts that down to the new coach’s influence.
“He [Arteta] convinced me of his ideas and his philosophy for the number six position and showed me a lot of appreciation,” said the Swiss.
“I’m glad that I could pay him back for this trust and I hope for the future that we can still make it into the Champions League and finally play in the international top league again.”
GREAT SCOTT
The government has announced a “renewal taskforce” to help sport return – with ex-England footballer Alex Scott on board.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden wants advice on “how to get sport back safely in a way that works for both clubs, players and supporters alike”.
And amid gradual easing of the Covid-19 lockdown, he said the government are looking for “new and different ways to get industries back up and running”.
Dowden added: “Finding creative, crowd-free ways to navigate coronavirus is the biggest challenge for our recreation and leisure sectors right now”.
But he confirmed the government are looking at a gradual process, rather than a sudden return, and insisted that safety concerns will remain the priority.
WINDS OF WINTER
Arsene Wenger has called for the January transfer window to be axed as out-of-favour players “give up”.
The Arsenal legend who is now FIFA's head of global development, has suggested changes to the game in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.
The Frenchman said: “I am for the abolition of the January transfer window
“Managers don't deal with this second window well.
“In October, as soon as a player does not play anymore, he tries to find a solution elsewhere and waits for January to leave,
“He is no longer mobilised, he gives up.”
GIFT OF GAB
Arsenal and Chelsea have reportedly been joined by Real Madrid in the race for Lille star Gabriel.
Spanish news outlet AS claims the Brazilian centre-back, 22, is now a £30million target for Los Blancos.
He has enjoyed a great season with Lille in Ligue 1, making 24 appearances.
Zinedine Zidane’s preferred target is RB Leipzig ace Dayot Upamecano.
But The Germans are demanding a whopping £54m, while Bayern Munich are also ready to compete for his signature.
Real are therefore looking at other options and Gabriel is understood to be high on their wish list.
LACA INTEREST
Arsenal are interested in swapping Alexandre Lacazette for Atletico Madrid flop Thomas Lemar because of coronavirus, according to reports.
According to AS, Atletico Madrid are willing to use Lemar as a bargaining tool in order to land top target Alexandre Lacazette.
At 28-years-old, Diego Simeone and club chiefs believe that the former Lyon forward should be in his peak years and would offer a new dimension to their attack.
And with both sides lacking funds because of the coronavirus pandemic, a swap deal without cash involved could benefit both parties.
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