Arsenal transfer news: Door open for centre-back bid as Mikel Arteta handed demand
As Arsenal's Premier League rivals get their early business over the line, the Gunners are biding their time.
A slew of deals were announced on Monday, including Ross Barkley's return to Aston Villa and Brighton's big-money swoop for Newcastle winger Yankuba Minteh. Arsenal, however, were still waiting.
The Gunners have a number of stars away at the Euros, with William Saliba starring for France in their victory over Belgium on Monday afternoon. By the end of the summer, though, other Euros favourites could yet find himself moving to North London.
What we've seen so far is that Arsenal don't appear to be in any huge rush, with more than a month until the news season kicks off. Here are Mirror Football's latest lines from around the Emirates Stadium.
Green light over Calafiori move
Arsenal are among the Premier League suitors linked with a move for Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori, with Bologna understood to be open to Premier League bids. The centre-back was one of the few shining lights for the Azzurri at Euro 2024, and was suspended for their elimination at the hands of Switzerland.
Juventus are also keen, having already convinced manager Thiago Motta to move to Turin from Bologna. It is for this reason, though, that the Rossoblu would seemingly prefer a foreign sale.
Calafiori, 22, is unlikely to come cheap after signing a four-year deal with Bologna last summer. He scored his first Serie A goals in a draw with Juve in May, and started all three group games at the Euros after only making his first senior Italy appearance in early June.
Ex-Gunner Ceballos wants to leave Real Madrid
Dani Ceballos could be on the move this summer, according to reports on the continent (via Football Espana). The Real Madrid midfielder, who spent two seasons on loan at Arsenal, is reportedly keen to leave the Spanish capital after seeing opportunities become limited.
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Dani Ceballos in action for Arsenal
The Spanish international was part of the Arsenal squad which won the FA Cup in 2020, scoring a crucial late winner against Sheffield United in the quarter-finals. Mikel Arteta kept him in North London for a second season, but no permanent move followed.
Instead, Ceballos returned to the Bernabeu and helped his team win the Champions League in an injury-hit 2021-22 season. He featured more regularly in the following campaign, but found minutes harder to come by last season as he failed to play a knockout minute in the competition.
Arteta issued with demand
Broadcaster and Arsenal supporter Piers Morgan has called on the Gunners to move for Nico Williams. The Spain winger has attracted plenty of Premier League attention, and could be available for less than £50m if he is prepared to leave Athletic Club.
Pamplona-born Williams has impressed at Euro 2024, scoring in the round of 16 victory over Georgia. This was enough to prompt Morgan to tag Arteta on social media and ask the manager to sign the 21-year-old.
Rodri, Fabian Ruiz and Dani Olmo were also on target as Spain came from behind to beat Georgia. Williams will have another chance to impress in the quarter-finals, when Luis de la Fuente's team go up against host nation Germany.
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