Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Gunners have ‘STRONG’ interest in Gyokeres, Man City eye Saliba move, Saka contract latest

Bukayo Saka returns

Mikel Arteta yesterday revealed that Bukayo Saka is in line to start against Fulham tonight.

Here are some snaps from the winger’s return to full training.

Tottenham pre-season meeting

Arsenal and Tottenham are set to clash in a pre-season friendly overseas.

The two clubs will meet at the newly-opened Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong on July 31.

It will be the first North London Derby played outside of the United Kingdom.

The fixture is scheduled to kick off at 7:30pm local time, meaning fans watching from the UK will be tuning in at lunchtime for a 12:30pm start.

Arteta on Lewis-Skelly

Mikel Arteta was yesterday asked about whether Myles Lewis-Skelly’s personality has changed since his England call-up.

The Spaniard said: “I hope not, because scoring a goal for the national team shouldn’t change him.

“His spirit, his level of confidence, I think it’s high, and I think that’s very good for any footballer, and I think he’s starting to gather very beautiful experiences over a very short period of time, and I think he’s assimilating it very well.

“It’s not a change, it’s an evolution, because in the end, this is a state of mind, but then every ball, every action you do in a game, that state of mind changes.

“Above all, you have to know that this is part of a process, and it’s a path that he’s starting to walk, that at the moment everything is going very well, and that you have to do things to make it that way.”

Arteta on Calafiori and Timber

Mikel Arteta has given an update on Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber’s fitness.

He said: “Riccardo, unfortunately, picked up an injury again with the national team.

“It was really unfortunate the way it happened, but it could have been much worse so hopefully it’s going to be a matter of weeks.

“But we’ll have to see how that injury evolves. Jurrien was ill for a long period, quite badly.

“He’s felt much better in the last few days, so he’s available.”

Arteta on Berta’s transfer credentials

Mikel Arteta was yesterday asked about whether Andrea Berta can give Arsenal a new edge in the transfer market.

He said: “Well, we certainly believe that he is someone who is going to impact the club.

“And he’s got that experience, he’s got this personality as well, this charisma, and he strives to and wills to win. That is going to be very contagious.

“It’s very much instilled in the football club, especially from the top, because this is what we want to achieve, but to have people as well with different expertise, experiences, and that they’ve already done it, is very, very helpful.

“The good thing is the strong team that we already have in place, and all the work that the recruitment, that Jason, James, and all the boys have been doing, and everything is prepared.

“And then that planning has to be tweaked, because what you plan and you execute most of the time ends up being a bit different but the direction, the vision, and what we want to do is clear.

“He will jump on board with that, and hopefully he will twist it and make it better. That’s why he’s here.”

More Arteta on Berta

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta believes that Andrea Berta is going to be a fantastic addition.

The Spaniard said: “You just met him, and straight away the words that come out are always winning, improving and demanding.

“And he’s a person who is very honest, very straightforward, with a very clear vision of what he wants to do.

“He was so willing to join us, which is a very positive thing as well because he had many other possibilities, and he’s chosen to come to us.

“And now it’s about us giving him the support and the understanding of the situation and context straight away. And for him to start to do what he’s already done for many, many years at the highest level, which has been very impressive.”

Arteta on Berta

Mikel Arteta is delighted to welcome Andrea Berta to Arsenal.

On the Gunners’ new sporting director, the Spaniard said: “Yes, I think it’s a big addition to the club, a big addition to the team.

“A team that is already formed with a lot of great people. Richard [Garlick] leading it, obviously. But as well with James [King], with Jason [Ayto], with a lot of people at the club that have been doing such good work.

“So it’s about building out that chemistry. And I believe Josh [Kroenke] has been fully involved in the process as well. So we are all very excited to have him.”

Saka contract talks

Arsenal are set to launch fresh contract talks with Bukayo Saka, claims transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

The winger’s current deal is set to run until June 2027.

Romano claims that the Gunners’ new sporting director Andrea Berta is set for conversations with Saka’s representatives.

Pair aiming for Arsenal

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that Dani Ceballos and Ferland Mendy are aiming to be fit for his side’s Champions League quarter-final first leg clash at Arsenal.

Both stars have been suffering with muscular injuries.

Speaking today, Ancelotti revealed: “Mendy and Ceballos are trying to make it to the Arsenal match.”

Kane on Arsenal target

Former Tottenham star Harry Kane is eager for Bayern Munich to keep rumoured Arsenal and Man Utd target Leroy Sane.

Following Bayern’s 3-2 win over St Pauli on Saturday, the England captain said of Sane’s future: “It’s not my decision, but the club’s.

“I really like playing with Leroy and would love for him to stay.

“But that’s a discussion between him and the club.”

Arsenal’s Cun-ning plan

Wolves star Matheus Cunha could be a summer transfer option for Arsenal, per reports.

The Brazilian forward’s contract is said to contain a £62.5million release clause.

Arsenal’s new sporting director Andrea Berta knows the 25-year-old’s game well.

Berta helped bring Cunha to Atletico Madrid in 2021.

Calafiori update

Mikel Arteta has given an update on Riccardo Calafiori’s fitness.

The defender suffered a knee injury in Italy’s clash with Germany earlier this month.

Arteta said: “It could have been much worse.

“Hopefully it’s going to be a matter of weeks, but we have to see how the injury evolves.”

Take your Vik

Arsenal’s new sporting director Andrea Berta has added Manchester United target Viktor Gyokeres to his four-man striker wishlist ahead of a huge summer rebuild.

And the former Atletico Madrid chief has vowed he will help bring “major trophies” to the Emirates.

Berta, 53, replaces Edu following his resignation last November.

He is expected to attend the Gunners’ Premier League clash at home to Fulham on Tuesday.

The Italian, who left his role at Atletico in January, will be tasked with bringing in an elite No 9.

And Gyokeres is on his shortlist, alongside Hugo Ekitike, Benjamin Sesko and Alexander Isak.

Cunha hits out at response to comments

Wolves striker Matheus Cunha has dismissed the way in which his comments regarding his future have been interpreted by fans.

He told The Guardian: “I’ve made it clear that I need to take the next step. I want to fight for titles and for big things.”

But Cunha has played down those sentiments.

He wrote today: “It is impossible for the player to be honest in an interview knowing that everything can be taken in any way he wants.”

He urged fans to read the whole interview in it’s entirety.