Postpublished at 12:03 British Summer Time
And we've got some breaking news to bring you next.
And it's good news for both Arsenal and Liverpool fans!
Summary
Latest transfer news, done deals, reports and gossip
New: Liverpool sign Milos Kerkez - 'I'm going to give everything'
New: Myles Lewis-Skelly signs new Arsenal contract - 'I want to win trophies'
New: Burnley sign left-back Quilindschy Hartman from Feyenoord
Latest: Arsenal agree Norgaard deal - 'A sensible signing' & impressive stats
Get Involved: WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
Postpublished at 12:03 British Summer Time
get involved Get Involved - 'It's about scoring goals in tight matches'published at 11:58 British Summer Time
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Arsenal's goal scoring problem isn't about the number of goals, it's about scoring goals in tight matches where they only get one or two chances. Scoring 5 against a relegation candidate won't win them a league or a cup if they can't score 2 against PSG or Liverpool.
Rob
Arsenal spread their goals aroundpublished at 11:55 British Summer Time
Image source, Getty ImagesIn the absence of an out-and-out goal-scorer last season, Arsenal's 69 Premier League goals were spread throughout the team.
Kai Havertz led the Gunners with nine goals, while forwards Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli both chipped in with eight each.
Mikel Merino - who Mikel Arteta deployed as a makeshift striker towards the end of the season - scored seven league goals, with Bukayo Saka scoring only six, his lowest return since 2020-21.
Declan Rice, Thomas Partey and Ethan Nwaneri all scored four, Gabriel Magalhaes, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus all contributed three, and William Saliba and Riccardo Calafiori both got two.
Postpublished at 11:47 British Summer Time
David Seaman
Former Arsenal and England goalkeeperSpeaking on BBC Radio 5 Live earlier this year, former Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman spoke about Arsenal needing a striker:
"We have always needed a striker. We tried in the transfer window and now hopefully there is one lined up in the summer, but that will be a bit too late.
"It will be the final piece of the jigsaw. That will hopefully be what makes it (winning the title) happen next season."
Do Arsenal have a goal-scoring problem?published at 11:41 British Summer Time
Image source, Getty ImagesLast season Arsenal scored 69 goals in 38 Premier League games, a return bettered only by champions Liverpool (86) and Manchester City (72).
That said, Arsenal fared much better in front of goal in 2022-23 (88 goals) and in 2023-24 (91 goals), when they also finished second in the league.
In 2022-23 Martin Odegaard was their top scorer in the league (15 goals), while the following year Bukayo Saka led the team with 16 goals.
Last season, no Arsenal player bettered Kai Havertz's return of nine goals despite the German missing 15 matches through injury.
Postpublished at 11:32 British Summer Time
Micah Richards
Former Manchester City defender
Image source, Getty ImagesThe difference between Arsenal winning the league or winning the [cup] ties is just a centre-forward.
It's hard, you can't just go out and get a number nine, there's not that many in world football.
get involved Get Involved - 'Ronaldo close to extension'published at 11:23 British Summer Time
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Ronaldo staying put in the slowest league in the world, rather than joining a boisterous youthful European team is wise.
Ryan
Image source, Getty ImagesGossip: Arsenal could drop Sesko interest over wage demandspublished at 11:15 British Summer Time
Image source, Getty ImagesAccording to the rumour mill, Arsenal's chase of Benjamin Sesko could be ending in a stalemate.
The Mirror, external reported this week that the Gunners could back out of a £70m deal for the RB Leipzig striker because of the Slovenia international's wage demands.
Sesko was reportedly Mikel Arteta's first choice for a new striker but the Independent, external says that there is still a £8.5m gap between Arsenal and Leipzig on Sesko's valuation.
They claim that the club are looking elsewhere for attacking options, with them also speaking to Chelsea about a potential move for Noni Madueke.
The Blues reportedly want £50m for the England winger.
Meanwhile, a report in France, external says the Gunners have an interest in 22-year-old Paris St-Germain forward Bradley Barcola.
Arsenal's Scandinavian connectionpublished at 11:06 British Summer Time
Image source, Getty ImagesSeveral players from Scandinavia have called Arsenal home in the past with Denmark midfielder Christian Norgaard set to join the long list, if his transfer from Brentford goes through.
Here's a list of some of the Scandinavians to have played for Arsenal over the years...
Sweden
- Freddie Ljungberg
- Sebastian Larsson
- Kim Kallstrom
- Anders Limpar
- Stefan Schwarz
- Kristoffer Olsson
- Rami Shaaban
Denmark
- Nicklas Bendtner
- John Jensen
- Sebastian Svard
- Mika Biereth
Norway
- Martin Odegaard
- Pal Lydersen
- Havard Nordtveit
Recap - Today's transfer storiespublished at 11:00 British Summer Time
Right, it's recap time, this is what's been happening in the world of transfers this morning...
- Arsenal agree to sign Christian Norgaard
- How will the Danish midfielder fit in at Arsenal?
- Ronaldo to extend Al-Nassar stay
- Burnley confirm Max Weiss signing
Also, we're asking you to get involved and send in your thoughts on who you think is having the best transfer window? Some think Arsenal are signing the wrong players while some think it is too early to decide.
Sit tight as we bring you all the latest reports, done deals and gossips through the day.
get involved Get Involved: 'Who is having the best transfer window?'published at 10:49 British Summer Time
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As a dyed in the wool United fan I hate to say it but Liverpool. Wirtz, Frimpong and Kerkez are top drawer signings and if they add Guehi and a number nine then I’ll be concentrating on the rugby league this winter
Peter, London
Image source, Getty ImagesHow do Sesko and Gyokeres compare?published at 10:39 British Summer Time
Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist
Image source, BBC SportViktor Gyokeres was a goal machine last term scoring 39 goals in 33 games, outperforming his expected goals by more than eight and scoring with 28.1% of his efforts.
The Swede, who benefits from playing for a dominant side in a league not quite as strong as the Bundesliga, had a mammoth 327 touches in the opposition box and adopted a shoot-on-sight policy, registering 139 efforts on goal, equivalent to one every 20 minutes.
Benjamin Sesko, 22, had to be more patient as Leipzig ended seventh, missing out on European qualification. He had a shot every 35 minutes, while his tally of 68 attempts overall ranked him only 16th in the Bundesliga.
However, in both of his seasons with the club he has shown early signs of being an elite finisher. He overperformed his expected goals total by 6.3 in 2023-24 and by 3.1 in the most recent campaign, in which he converted a healthy 19.1% of his chances.
One area where the Slovenia forward has an edge is in the air. Standing close to 6ft 5in tall, Sesko contested far more aerial duels last season than 6ft 2in Gyokeres and won 57.4% of them. Despite his big frame, he is surprisingly quick, recording a top speed of 35.7 km/h in the season just gone, placing him among a handful of the Bundesliga's quickest attacking players.
get involved Get Involved: 'Who is having the best transfer window?'published at 10:28 British Summer Time
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The fact people are melting down because Arsenal haven't signed a striker when the transfer window hasn't even been open a month yet is crazy. Have some patience.
James, Cornwall
Mate it's really early in the window. Calm down, I see proper moves - a good back-up keeper, Zubi who is definitely happening, not going to be announced till July as need to register it in next season's financial year, and back up midfielder to replace Partey. A striker will happen, another attacker will happen and they are all good. Have faith, don't swallow the media narratives, they clearly don't know what is going on, and have to fill space to make themselves relevant. Breathe and have faith.
Rob, Plymouth
I couldn’t agree less with Anonymous and the summation of Arsenal's transfer window. It’s June. If at the end of the window we don’t have a striker then there’s a problem. Other positions also need addressing and it’s not like only one deal can be worked on at a time. It doesn’t matter what order the players are brought in, just that they are by the time the window closes.
Joe, Hertfordshire
But all quiet on the striker frontpublished at 10:19 British Summer Time
Image source, Getty ImagesThough Arsenal have kept themselves busy in the transfer market, the glaring issue up front still lingers.
Arsenal’s search for an out-and-out goalscorer continues, with no breakthrough reported yet in their pursuit of a striker who could deliver consistently and propel themselves to domestic and European silverware.
Several names have been linked, with Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres touted as top targets.
Slovenia international Sesko, 21, scored 13 goals in 33 appearances for RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga during the 2024-25 season while 27-year-old Gyokeres scored 39 goals in 33 league appearances as Sporting were crowned champions in Portugal.
Newcastle United's Alexander Isak was reportedly number one in Arteta's wish list but the Sweden international looks likely to stay with the Magpies, who have secured Champions League football for next season.
get involved Get Involved - 'Who is having the best transfer window?'published at 10:12 British Summer Time
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Manchester United securing Cunha and soon to get Mbeumo is great news at the top of the pitch. Now to ship out the dead wood and sort a new keeper out. More goals was a necessity so nice work so far. Once a keeper sorted, then a nine and that would be a top window in my opinion.
Chris, Reddish
Arsenal's transfer window so farpublished at 10:07 British Summer Time
Image source, Getty ImagesAs Will rightly suggests, one area Arsenal are on the verge of considerably strengthening is the midfield, even though they are yet to address the striker situation.
Real Sociedad and Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi is close to completing a switch to the Premier League club.
They have also agreed a deal with Brentford to sign Denmark international Christian Norgaard, who could partner Zubimendi in a new-look midfield for Mikel Arteta's side next season, with Thomas Partey reportedly set to leave when his contract expires at the end of this month.
According to BBC Sport's Sami Mokbel, the Gunners have been discussing a fee worth in the region of an initial £10m for Norgaard, with a possible £5m in performance-related add-ons.
They are also set to complete the signing of Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga this week by paying his £5m release clause.
In further good news for them, England defender Myles Lewis-Skelly agreed a new contract at the club last week, joining Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhaes who had signed a new long-term contract until 2029 earlier this month.
Arsenal are also continuing their contract discussions with centre-back William Saliba while a new deal for forward Bukayo Saka also looks to be in the pipeline.
get involved Get Involved - Are Arsenal having a good transfer window?published at 09:56 British Summer Time
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People panicking about Arsenal's transfer business need to chill out a bit. We were desperately short of squad depth last year and we’ve lost players that need replacing. Not every signing is going to be a £50m+ starter. Kepa and Norgaard are smart signings and Zubimendi improves the first team. A striker will come, just chill.
Will
Burnley sign goalkeeperpublished at 09:52 British Summer Time
Image source, Getty ImagesWe had one Premier League transfer concluded yesterday as Burnley made Germany Under-20s goalkeeper Max Weiss their first signing of the summer ahead of their return to the Premier League.
Scott Parker's side have paid German second division side Karlsruher a reported fee of five million euros (£4.3m), external for the 20-year-old.
The signing comes amid interest from Newcastle in Burnley number one James Trafford.
get involved Get Involved - 'Who is having the best transfer window?'published at 09:47 British Summer Time
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Is it just me or is the answer almost always Brighton? They seem to perpetually be two to four windows ahead of their competitors in terms of player recruitment.
Alistair, Edinburgh
A reminder that so far this summer Brighton have signed Greek forward Charalampos Kostoulas from Olympiakos for an initial fee of £29.8m, as well as Italian defender Diego Coppola from Hellas Verona for £8.5m plus add-ons.
How did Arsenal get here?published at 09:40 British Summer Time
Image source, Getty ImagesArsenal once again finished the season trophyless.
Mikel Arteta’s side finished 10 points behind Premier League champions Liverpool and fell short in the semi-finals of both the Champions League and Carabao Cup.
Many believe a factor behind that was the lack of firepower in attack.
Top scorer Kai Havertz suffered a hamstring injury during the club’s winter training camp in Dubai, and in the absence of a fit and natural striker, Arteta utilised midfielder Mikel Merino as a makeshift front man.
Arsenal's top priority this summer is acquiring a proven goalscorer but the lack of developments regarding such a transfer has become a cause of concern for supporters.
