Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Arteta ‘talks’ with PSG, Havertz bid rejected as Bayern Munich enter race, Rice latest

Leaving Arsenal to become the manager of Paris Saint-Germain ‘would not be a step up’ for Mikel Arteta.

That’s according to former Gunners winger Perry Groves, who has told talkSPORT he would be ‘gobsmacked’ if the boss accepted the Ligue 1 champions’ approach.

He said: “I’d be amazed if he went. “I think he is quite a moralistic man. He can’t ask the Arsenal owners to buy into his project [if he’s going to leave].

“They have backed him with money and signings and, when they went through a rocky patch of results, they stuck with him.

“He’s also asking the players to commit themselves long-term to Arsenal. Bukayo Saka has just signed a long-term contract, William Saliba is just about to sign a long-term contract.

“I think he’s one of those managers who looks at Arsenal and thinks, ‘I’m asking people to buy into this and I’m buying into it, I can’t be seen to be talking to other clubs.’”

Groves added: “And honestly, as a manager, what is he going to learn if he goes to PSG? They can be bang average and still win the Ligue 1 title. It’s not a competitive league.

“I must admit, I don’t see PSG as a step up from Arsenal. They are not one of the massive clubs, they are not at the same level as Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

“They’re richer or as rich as those clubs, but they don’t have the history… and especially with the situation with Kylian Mbappe as well, he’s leaving next summer. I would be gobsmacked if Arteta was interested in that job.”

Arsenal reportedly want to close the signing of Declan Rice quickly as Manchester City lurk in the background.

The Gunners have already had one offer rejected for the Hammers midfielder, but are expected to bid again.

And according to Italian reporter Fabrizio Romano, the deal is now entering ‘crucial days’.

It has been said that personal terms have almost been agreed.

But Premier League champions City are also interested, where they asked West Ham for an update on Arsenal’s move for Rice on Friday.

Should Ilkay Gundogan depart the Etihad, the Citizens could turn their interest into a formal offer.

More on Kai Havertz!

According to Sky Germany, the versatile Chelsea star is ‘very close’ to joining Arsenal.

It has been said that a £68million fee is expected to be agreed which would include any potential add-ons.

Personal terms are claimed to be almost agreed, with Mikel Arteta desperate to bolster his attack.

Sky have also stated that Bayern Munich have been informed of the advanced negotiations between Arsenal and Chelsea for the 24-year-old.

And as a result, they will not be looking to hijack the Gunners’ transfer.

Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga is a loan target for Burnley, according to reports.

Lokonga impressed during the second half of the season on loan at Crystal Palace and the Gunners are opening to sending him out again.

The Mail claim that newly promoted Burnley are one of the teams eyeing a potential deal.

Arsenal believe that a £60million bid for Kai Havertz will be enough to land the Chelsea star.

The Gunners have seen an opening bid rejected, but are not giving up their interest just yet.

The Guardian report that they believe £60m will be enough, short of Chelsea’s £70m valuation, owing to the Blues’ need to sell.

AC Milan are interested in signing Reiss Nelson this summer, according to reports in Italy.

Milan are on the lookout for a new winger with Junior Messias and Alexis Saelemaekers likely to leave the club.

And Tuttosport claim that Arsenal’s Nelson is at the top of their list of targets.

The 23-year-old has top European sides interested in signing him for free once his current contract runs out at the end of this month.

However, he is in talks with the Gunners over a new deal which could see him stay at the Emirates.

Arsenal have performed a U-turn over a summer exit after contract confusion.

Academy defender Zach Awe was offically announced as part of the Gunners’ released list, with his contract set to run out at the end of the month.

However, a few hours later, Awe was also included in the club’s retained list.

It appears that he may now have been offered a new deal but Arsenal are yet to address the confusion.

Arsenal target Timothy Castagne has addressed rumours that he is heading to the Emirates this summer.

Castagne was relegated from the Premier League with Leicester last season and is being heavily linked with a move away from the club.

Arsenal have identified the Belgian as an alternative right-back solution if they fail to sign Ivan Fresneda while Juventus are also said to be interested.

Speaking while on international duty, Castagne said: “I’ll see what happens in the future.

“A decision will be made. It’s delicate, of course. You could wait for a top club to arrive, but what if it doesn’t come? I’m not thinking about that yet.”

Former Chelsea defender Jason Cundy has warned Arsenal fans about Kai Havertz.

The Gunners have seen a first official bid turned down for the German forward this week but Mikel Arteta is believed to still be keen to bring him to the Emirates Stadium.

Arteta’s pursuit of the 24-year-old has raised eyebrows with some supporters, with Cundy also left questioning if Havertz is worth the money.

“I’ve covered pretty much every game Havertz has played for Chelsea, and he’s a curious one,” said the talkSPORT host and pundit.

“Look, he scored the winning goal in the Champions League final, so he can do it, there is no doubting his ability, technically he’s a brilliant footballer.

“But how many times as a Chelsea fan can I look back and go, ‘Kai Havertz today, wow’? Not many.

“He reminds me of Mesut Ozil. He’s got his languid playing style. It doesn’t look like he cares. He’s a stroller around the pitch.

“The thing that would concern me if I was an Arsenal fan is he goes missing. He lacks a bit of heart, a bit of steel, a bit of fight and he can drift out of games very quickly. If you’re in a battle I’m not sure he’s the man you want.

“I think the trial may have finished for Havertz at Chelsea. I think they’ll probably say, ‘We’ve seen enough of this, it hasn’t quite worked, move him on’.

“And I don’t think there are too many Chelsea fans out there who are worried about this move. I think anything over £60m would be a decent fee.”

PSG have held talks with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.

Talks have taken place between Arteta and PSG Sporting Advisor Luis Campos, according to French outlet RMC.

Although, the apparent negotiations didn’t develop as well as the Ligue 1 champions would have hoped and Campos is pessimistic over the chances of luring Arteta away from the Gunners.

The French side are on the lookout for a new manager after sacking Christophe Galtier earlier this month.

Former Bayern boss Julian Nagelsmann looked set to join but negotiations have now reportedly broken down, with Arteta the next to be linked to the club.

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has been speaking about his contract negotiations with the club.

Odegaard has been reported to be in talks over signing a new deal at the Gunners after an impressive season for Mikel Arteta’s side.

Speaking to TV2 while on international duty, he said: “I’m very happy at Arsenal and I hope to stay here for long time. Let’s see on contract situation after the summer.

“I didn’t speak to Arsenal, it’s not on me honestly; no rush, my contract is still long.”

The Norweigan is the latest Arsenal star looking likely to be extending their contracts, with William Saliba and Reiss Nelson both close to new deals.

Arsenal are considering a bid for Southampton’s Romeo Lavia.

The Gunners are looking to bolster their midfield this summer and Lavia has emerged as the latest target, joining Moises Caicedo and Declan Rice on the rumour mill.

Rice looks set to be heading to the Emirates as talkSPORT understands he has his heart set on the move despite an opening bid being rejected.

But despite this, Lavia remains a target as Mikel Arteta looks to add multiple new faces to his midfield, according to Mail Sport.

The Belgian international, who was relegated with Southampton last season, is also attracting interest from Man United, Chelsea and Liverpool.

Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun is a target for Crystal Palace this summer.

Balogun is attracting plenty of interest after impressing on loan at Reims in Ligue 1 last season and football.london report that Crystal Palace are the latest team to join the race for the forward.

The 21-year-old is keen to move away from the Gunners to secure more first-team football, with Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah above him in the pecking order at the Emirates.

Inter are also rumoured to be looking at bringing Balogun to Italy.

Arsenal target Ilkay Gundogan is one of four players that have been named on Manchester City’s release list ahead of the upcoming season.

Gundogan won the treble with Man City this season and lifted all their trophies to write his name in the club’s history.

However, he has now been included in the Citizens’ released list after they submitted their released and retained players to the Premier League.

The German has been included as his deal expires at the end of the month, though it remains to be seen whether he will actually depart as the 32-year-old remains locked in contract talks.

Arsenal face competition from Bayern Munich for Chelsea forward Kai Havertz, talkSPORT understands.

Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel is pushing club top brass to make a bid for Havertz, who scored the winner in the 2021 Champions League final when he was in charge of the Blues.

Arsenal have already had one offer for £75m rated Havertz rejected by their London rivals.

Arsenal’s opening bid for Chelsea forward Kai Havertz has been rejected.

talkSPORT understands that Arsenal sent a first official bid to Chelsea for Havertz yesterday afternoon.

However, that has now been rejected by the Blues who have set a £75million asking price for the German.

The Gunners may come back in with a second bid as they hope the Havertz’s refusal to sign a new deal will bring the fee down.

Arsenal have been warned by Gabby Agbonlahor that Kai Havertz isn’t the man they should target this summer.

talkSPORT sources indicate the Gunners are preparing an opening offer for the German, who Chelsea value at £75million.

However, Agbonlahor thinks the Blues should stay well away from.

Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: “He’s frustrating to watch because you can tell there is a player in there.

“Mauricio Pochettino must be thinking, ‘if I can get £50m-£60m for him, I can buy someone who is more clinical’.

“I don’t understand why Arsenal want him.

“Arsenal need a clinical striker. Gabriel Jesus missed a lot of chances last season.

“Havertz is never going to have those instincts like [Erling] Haaland.”

Arsenal are one of a number of clubs that are said to be interested in signing Leicester’s Timothy Castagne this summer.

The Belgian international can play across the back line and that versatility appeals to Mikel Arteta.

However, when asked about his future, Castagne refused to rule out staying with the Foxes.

Speaking to the press, he said: “I’ll see what happens in the future. A decision will be made. It’s delicate, of course.

“You could wait for a top club to arrive, but what if it doesn’t come? I’m not thinking about that yet”.

Inter Milan have reportedly opened talks with Arsenal over signing Folarin Balogun after the striker scored 21 Ligue 1 goals while on loan at Reims.

The Gunners value the forward at £34million and are willing to sell him, with the club set to bid for Kai Havertz.

Arsenal also have Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus on the books, so Balogun’s unlikely to get much first-team football at the Emirates next year.

Claims from Italy suggest Inter’s sporting director Piero Ausilio has been in London to negotiate several deals, and Balogun is seen as an alternative to Romelu Lukaku.

talkSPORT understands Arsenal are prepared to firm up their interest in Kai Havertz and submit an opening offer.

Chelsea value the German international at £75million as they look to fund Mauricio Pochettino’s summer rebuild.

But their London rivals believe Havertz’s refusal to sign a new contract should bring the fee down.

Declan Rice remains determined to join Arsenal, the London Evening Standard are reporting.

Arsenal saw their initial £80million bid for Rice turned down by West Ham yesterday.

And that has lead to reports that Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea could all enter the bidding war for him.

But it is said the 24-year-old still has his heart set on joining Mikel Arteta at the Emirates.

Fabrizio Romano has claimed William Saliba is set to pen a new deal at Arsenal.

The transfer guru has said that the details over the improved extension have been agreed.

Confirmation of the contract will be announced once Saliba returns from his holidays.

Arsenal have also confirmed they are in talks with Reiss Nelson over a new contract.

The 23-year-old winger is set to become a free agent this summer as he approaches the end of his contract.

But the Gunners are keen to keep him after playing a vital squad role in Mikel Arteta’s side this season.

“In addition, please note that Reiss Nelson’s contract also ends on June 30, 2023 and negotiations are ongoing,” read part of Arsenal’s released and retained list statement.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles says he’ll always be a Gunner at heart following his Arsenal release.

He said: “I’ve seen a lot of players come and go and played with a lot of fantastic players throughout my time here. Unfortunately, it has to come to an end, but I’ve been happy every single moment I’ve been here to play and work for this club.

“The trophy wins would probably be the best moments for me, obviously some of the domestic seasons weren’t so great but at least I got to win some trophies with the club that I love.

“The FA Cup final was a fantastic day that will always stick in my mind, and I was happy to be a part of the team that won it.

“There have been some lifetime relationships that I’ve built since I’ve been here. I can only be thankful for the people that have come into my life and helped me since I’ve been here at the club.

“I’ll always be here to support the team and the boys and hopefully they can win something in the future.

“For any supporters out there, just be true to the team. They’ve come a very, very long way this season and it’s been fantastic to watch. Once a Gunner, always a Gunner!”