Arsenal transfer news: Gunners told to push for Real Madrid star as William Saliba swap rejected

Mikel Arteta has been integrating several signings into his Arsenal squad but time is running out for sporting director Andrea Berta to give him another new player

Arsenal made a winning start to the Premier League season but their summer wheeling and dealing might not be over. Riccardo Calafiori’s first-half goal was enough to down Manchester United, but big-money signing Viktor Gyokeres found things tough on his competitive bow for the club.

There has been chatter about adding midfield creativity, with Eberechi Eze strongly linked. The England international now looks more likely to join Spurs, with the Gunners pulling back from discussions, but more spending isn’t out of the question.

We may well see some more sales, too. The likes of Fabio Vieira and Oleksandr Zinchenko remain in demand, and moves for the pair could help free up some funds before deadline day. Whether those funds are spent immediately or not is a different question, of course.

“Of course, we have to improve a lot of things and that will happen very soon,” manager Mikel Arteta said after Sunday’s win. “But in terms of managing to get that into a very positive result, that’s a great way to do it.”

So, what might be in store next for Arteta and his squad? Mirror Football has the latest lines for you from around the Emirates Stadium.

READ MORE: Transfer news LIVE: Liverpool agree winger deal, Spurs pushing for Eze, Donnarumma and Isak latestREAD MORE: Bukayo Saka gives verdict on Viktor Gyokeres after quiet Arsenal debut vs Man Utd

Saliba bid knocked back

Arsenal have rejected a swap deal which would have seen William Saliba and Rodrygo swap clubs, according to reports in Spain. While it has not been revealed whether the approach was for a straight swap or a player-plus-cash deal, Arsenal are understood to have no plans to part ways with the centre-back.

Real Madrid have been long-time admirers of Saliba, and added two other Premier League defenders to their ranks over the summer. Dean Huijsen arrived in a big-money deal from Bournemouth, while Los Blancos also lured Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool.

Both Huijsen and Alexander-Arnold played for Madrid in the Club World Cup, though tey missed the semi-final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. The Spanish side begin their new league season on Tuesday, taking on Osasuna.

Richards’ Rodrygo advice

Pundit and former Premier League defender Micah Richards would love to see Rodrygo in the Premier League, regardless of Arsenal’s plans. The Brazilian has dropped down the pecking order in Madrid, with questions over how he will fit into Xabi Alonso’s system in the long run.

“I just look at that position on the left-hand side and think if they could sort that…” Richards said on The Rest is Football. “When they was linked to Rodrygo, that could solve a lot of problems for them.”

Real Madrid are believed to want north of £75m for the Brazilian, despite him dropping down the pecking order. Arsenal have already made a cheaper signing in the form of Noni Madueke, and it was always unlikely they would sign both men in the same window.

Gunners following Lee situation

Arsenal are keeping tabs on Lee Kang-in’s situation at Paris Saint-Germain, according to Caught Offside. The South Korea star is said to be seriously considering leaving the French club despite winning the Champions League last season.

Lee, 24, scored seven goals in all competitions last term. He is also off the mark for the new season after netting against Tottenham in the Super Cup.

He wasn’t trusted in big games last season, though, remaining on the bench for the quarters, semis and final of the Champions League. Napoli and Manchester United are also said to be monitoring the former Mallorca star in the event he looks for a move before the window shuts.

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