Arsenal transfer news LIVE as new signing announced with Calafiori twist and Mikel Merino latest

Arsenal transfer news LIVE as new signing announced with Calafiori twist and Mikel Merino latest

All the latest Arsenal news, updates and transfer gossip, including updates on Riccardo Calafiori, Nico Williams and Marc  Guehi

Mikel Merino has been linked with a move to Arsenal this summer

Hello and welcome to football.london’s dedicated live blog for all things Arsenal. Mikel Arteta only has a few more days on the training pitches at London Colney before the Gunners jet off to the United States to step up pre-season preparations…

The Spaniard will certainly want to welcome a few new faces to the Emirates Stadium this summer after missing out on the Premier League title by just two points. Perhaps Riccardo Calafiori, who’s reportedly agreed to join Arsenal, could help Arsenal finally get their hands on some silverware?

The north Londoners were once heavily linked with a move for Nico Williams, who caught the eye at Euro 2024. However, Barcelona have taken the lead in the race to sign the Athletic Bilbao star, according to several reports in Spain.

Elsewhere, Mikel Merino has emerged as a target as Arteta looks to strengthen his options in midfield. With regard to outgoings, Emile Smith Rowe has been heavily linked with an exit, while Eddie Nketiah reportedly attracts attention from the French top flight.

While the Gunners boss has a lot on his plate at the moment, the Premier League campaign doesn’t kick-off until later next month!

Stay up to date on all Arsenal news, transfer gossip and updates in our live blog below.

Nketiah and Smith Rowe exit stance

Arsenal will not be forced into selling either Emile Smith Rowe or Eddie Nketiah this summer, according to the Sunday Mirror.

Fulham and Crystal Palace are both keen on Smith Rowe with French club Marseille taking a keen interest in Nketiah.

Reiss Nelson, as another academy graduate, could also depart with West Ham holding discussions and Nelson could be available for about £20million.

Arsenal star Emile Smith Rowe has been linked with a move to Fulham

Jorginho confirms new Arsenal signing amid Calafiori transfer pursuit

Hold on Arsenal fans… It’s not quite what you think!

Riccardo Calafiori is getting closer to an Emirates Stadium switch but his fellow Italy international Jorginho has confirmed a different arrival with Manoel Marcelo Ribeiro joining from Chelsea.

Jorginho announces next Arsenal signing

Nico Williams transfer stance

Perhaps unsurprisingly, another major Nico Williams update has come to light which further distances his chances of moving clubs this summer.

Interest from the Premier League is strong though it is Barcelona leading the race for his signature. However, as the Sunday Mirror writes, the Spanish club expect to keep Nico Williams for the 2024/25 season and beyond.

His considerable salary package is also seen as a major stumbling block for any club looking to trigger his release clause which sits at £49million.

Nico Williams is attracting interest from right across Europe.

The big Arsenal transfer stories

Hello Arsenal fans my name is Kieran Horn and I will be bringing you all of the latest Arsenal transfer news for the remainder of the afternoon.

Earlier today, the Gunners confirmed their second summer signing but it is not Riccardo Calafiori despite the positive updates on the Bologna defender. Instead Arsenal have announced goalkeeper Tommy Setford has joined from Ajax with the plan for him to be part of the squad heading to the United States for a pre-season tour.

Calafiori could soon join him overseas with total agreement reached between Bologna and Arsenal. The final details of the move involves his current club and former club Basel as they work to negotiate the value of the sell-on clause that will be handed to the Swiss outfit.

Elsewhere, Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah are of strong interest to several clubs with the

Merino interest

Arsenal are interested in signing Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad this summer, football.london understands. The 28-year-old, who fired Spain to Euro 2024 glory over the summer, has suddenly emerged as a target for the Gunners as Mikel Arteta looks to bolster his midfield.

Martin Zubimendi was once heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium, but Arsenal have now set their sights on Merino. The playmaker featured 32 times for Real Sociedad in La Liga last season, scoring five goals and providing three assists.

Playing a key role in Imanol Alguacil’s side, he helped the Spanish club finish sixth and secure Europa League qualification. His impressive performances have courted the north Londoners’ interest, while Thomas Partey’s future remains unclear.

Mikel Merino has been linked with a move to Arsenal

Arsenal squad revealed as Tomiyasu suffers injury

Mikel Arteta has announced the 26-man squad that will travel to the United States as Arsenal step up preparations ahead of the new season. The Gunners have revealed that Takehiro Tomiyasu will remain in London to receive treatment from medical staff on a knee injury.

Goalkeepers: Karl Hein, Tommy Setford, Lucas Nygaard, Alexei Rojas

Defenders: Ben White, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jurrien Timber, Josh Nichols, Jakub Kiwior, Ayden Heaven, Omar Rekik

Midfielders: Thomas Partey, Jorginho, Michal Rosiak, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Martin Odegaard, Emile Smith Rowe, Fabio Vieira, Ethan Nwaneri, Salah–Eddine Oulad M’Hand, Jimi Gower

Forwards: Leandro Trossard, Reiss Nelson, Charles Sagoe Jr, Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah

Ethan Nwaneri has been picked among 12 youth players for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal pre-season tour